The ancient society credited with the concept of democracy is Ancient Athens. Around the 5th century BC, Athens developed a form of government that allowed free male citizens to participate directly in decision-making processes. This system, known as direct democracy, included institutions such as the Assembly and the Council of 500, where citizens could debate and vote on laws and policies. While limited in scope—excluding women, slaves, and non-citizens—Athenian democracy laid the foundational principles for modern democratic systems, emphasizing civic participation and individual rights.