The Golden Liberty

The Golden Liberty was a political system in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth from the 16th to the 18th centuries, characterized by a unique blend of democracy and aristocracy. It granted significant freedoms and privileges to the nobility, including the right to elect their king and to participate in the legislative process. This system encouraged a strong sense of independence among the nobility but also led to political instability, as a single noble could veto decisions (known as the "liberum veto"). While it fostered a degree of freedom, it ultimately contributed to the weakening of the Commonwealth.