https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish%E2%80%93Lithuanian_Commonwealth https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish%E2%80%93Lithuanian_Comm... 1569–1795 "The Union poss

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish%E2%80%93Lithuanian_Commonwealth https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish%E2%80%93Lithuanian_Comm... 1569–1795 "The Union possessed features unique among contemporary states. Its political system was characterized by strict checks upon monarchical power. These checks were enacted by a legislature (sejm) controlled by the nobility (szlachta). This idiosyncratic system was a precursor to modern concepts of democracy, constitutional monarchy, and federation."