The answer to your question is "Rwanda"
The ability to elect officials, who could veto laws, harmful to plebeians.
The Roman expansion in Italy was gradual, very well planned, and the battles were very wisely chosen.
At the beginning of Rome, it was only a small place, relatively poor, and was not a big factor in Italy. The Romans though were eager to take control over the peninsula, become wealthy, gain bigger territory and resources, so they started to reform their army.
Once their army was prepared, they started to engage in wars with the people on the peninsula, always taking them one at a time, without warning or build up, and at times when it was the worst for the opponent. Their military campaigns were very successful, and they also played wisely by integrating the conquered people into their society m thus assimilating them and turning them slowly into Romans.
