Icelandic Commonwealth

The Icelandic Commonwealth, or Alþingi, was a unique early political system from around 930 to 1262. It was a free, decentralized society where chieftains and chieftaincies governed local areas, while the Alþingi, one of the world's oldest parliaments, served as a national assembly to resolve disputes, pass laws, and make decisions collectively. It lacked a king or centralized authority, relying on consensus and legal traditions. This system fostered a sense of shared governance and community, shaping Iceland's early identity before coming under Norwegian rule in the 13th century.