Influences on self-government include:
- Magna Carta (1215): Established the principle that everyone, including the king, is subject to the law.
- English Bill of Rights (1689): Limited the powers of the monarchy and outlined the rights of Parliament and individuals.
- Enlightenment Philosophers: Thinkers like John Locke and Montesquieu emphasized individual rights and the separation of powers.
- Colonial Governance: The practice of self-governance in the American colonies, including town meetings and colonial assemblies.
- Social Contract Theory: The idea that government derives its authority from the consent of the governed.
These influences shaped the development of democratic principles and practices in various political systems.