The principal of government by the people means that citizens have a say in their government. Greece and Rome were the first civilizations to use these ideas about governments. This kept their governments stable for a long time. The Greek city-state of Athens created a direct democracy, which allowed citizens to vote directly on laws. The Roman Republic used a representative democracy where citizens elected leaders to represent their ideas and interests.
The principal of government by the people influenced the United States government. The United States became a Democratic government after the American Revolution. Democratic governments operate according to the idea that matters of the country are "public" and not just the concerns of its rulers.
