The ancient civilization credited with the founding of democracy is Ancient Greece, particularly the city-state of Athens. In the 5th century BCE, Athenian leader Cleisthenes introduced reforms that established a system where citizens participated directly in decision-making. This form of democracy allowed free male citizens to vote on laws and policies, fostering a sense of civic engagement and community involvement. Although limited to a small population and excluding women, slaves, and non-citizens, this groundbreaking governance model laid the foundation for modern democratic systems, influencing political thought and practices throughout history and across the world.