June 15, 800th anniversary, Magna Carta:

http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured_documents/magna_carta/

Called the most important document of democracy in the world.

Originally posted by sonhouse
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured_documents/magna_carta/

Called the most important document of democracy in the world.

Yes and it's currently in Ottawa, well the 1300 version anyway.

Originally posted by sonhouse
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured_documents/magna_carta/

Called the most important document of democracy in the world.

I think it is revered more in the US than UK. Contrary to popular belief
it gave no liberties to the common man and had no lasting impact on
legislation. It was effectively a "deal" between the king and the Barons.

Originally posted by wolfgang59
I think it is revered more in the US than UK. Contrary to popular belief
it gave no liberties to the common man and had no lasting impact on
legislation. It was effectively a "deal" between the king and the Barons.

It did though mean the king was no longer above the law, but subject to it.

Originally posted by sonhouse
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured_documents/magna_carta/

Called the most important document of democracy in the world.

An amazingly durable document which still matters 800 years later in our lives and times......

Originally posted by Ghost of a Duke
It did though mean the king was no longer above the law, but subject to it.

What it really meant was that the robber barons themselves were not subject to the law, and could abuse the population as much as they liked without the king being able to do his proper feodal job of keeping them in check and defending the lower classes against the higher ones. (Whether he ever did is another matter; but since the Magna Charta he isn't even allowed to.)
And as is clearly visible every time there is an election in the UK, a) this situation continues to this day, albeit with the Bullingdon-clubbers having replaced actual barons; and b) the British voters like it this way and get indignant if you suggest that this state might not be the best for them.

Originally posted by sonhouse
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured_documents/magna_carta/

Called the most important document of democracy in the world.

yeah and its british.

Originally posted by Shallow Blue
What it really meant was that the robber barons themselves were not subject to the law, and could abuse the population as much as they liked without the king being able to do his proper feodal job of keeping them in check and defending the lower classes against the higher ones. (Whether he ever did is another matter; but since the Magna Charta he ...[text shortened]... ike it this way and get indignant if you suggest that this state might not be the best for them.

Bullingdon-clubbers? Like professional bullies?

Originally posted by Grampy Bobby
An amazingly durable document which still matters 800 years later in our lives .....

How exactly?
It was virtually superseded within 100 years.

Originally posted by sonhouse
Bullingdon-clubbers? Like professional bullies?

...essentially, yes. Do look it up.

Originally posted by Shallow Blue
...essentially, yes. Do look it up.

I saw one story of the Bullingdon club members burning 50 pound notes in front of the homeless and then laughing about it. A club at Oxford.