Precursors

Cambridge University Press eBooks, pp. 71–81

Abstract

History helps us understand how abstract (imagined) constructs providing artificial trust and recognition - needed for large scale cooperation - have evolved over time, greasing and optimizing human cooperation amongst strangers. This first chapter on the history of constitutions in this book looks into the earliest examples of constitutions known to man. Prehistoric constitutions developed for the first time in the city states of Mesopotamia; the Code of Hammurabi being its most famous example. These precursors were always close-knit with religion.

Authors 1

1. W.J.M. Voermans corresponding Aachen

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Universiteit Leiden