It is simply false. Rome lasted a thousand years, from Republic to Empire, in its Western half. The Eastern Empire, from the conquest of Asia Minor to the fall of Constantinople, lasted about 1500 years. If one took Rome from its beginnings to the fall of Constantinople, it lasted over 2000 years. The Chinese Empire existed, in one form or another, for about 2200 years. Taking 1066 as the start of modern Britain, it has lasted almost a thousand years. Beginning the French kings with Hugh Capet, in 996, France was around as a monarchy for about 800 years, and, of course, is still around, albeit as a republic.
As for what may roughly be called democracies, there are not many until the 20th century. However, the Swiss have roughly had a democracy for the last 500 years; the British have been ruled by Parliament for at least 300 years; and Sweden has managed economic prosperity and political stability combined with a high degree of personal freedom, while being the most socialistic state in Western Europe. |
