SocialInstitutional Form
The Census
Systematic counting and categorizing of population for governance, taxation, and social knowledge
3800 BCE – PresentMultiple origins
EconomicInstitutional Form
Sumerian Temple Economy
Ancient Mesopotamian system where temples served as economic centers managing agriculture, labor, and redistribution
3500 BCE – 2000 BCEUruk, Mesopotamia
GovernanceOrganization
Egyptian Pharaonic State
One of humanity's earliest unified states, lasting over 3,000 years with remarkable institutional continuity
3100 BCE – 30 BCEEgypt
GovernanceInstitutional Form
The City-State
Autonomous urban polity governing itself and surrounding territory as independent political unit
3000 BCE – PresentMultiple origins
GovernanceInstitutional Form
The Monarchy
Hereditary rulership with royal succession, dynastic legitimacy, and ceremonial traditions
3000 BCE – PresentMultiple origins
ReligiousInstitutional Form
The Priesthood
Specialized religious class performing rituals, mediating divine relations, and maintaining sacred knowledge
3000 BCE – PresentMultiple origins
ReligiousInstitutional Form
The Temple Complex
Major religious site with priests, rituals, and economic functions serving as center of religious and social life
3000 BCE – PresentMultiple origins
KnowledgeInstitutional Form
The Library
Institution collecting, preserving, organizing, and providing access to written knowledge
2600 BCE – PresentEbla, ancient Syria
KnowledgeInstitutional Form
Edubba
Mesopotamian scribal schools that trained administrators in cuneiform writing, creating history's first formal education system
2500 BCE – 1600 BCENippur, Mesopotamia
LegalOrganization
Code of Ur-Nammu
Oldest surviving legal code, establishing principles of written law and proportional justice
2100 BCE – 2000 BCEUr, Mesopotamia
LegalInstitutional Form
The Law Code
Systematic written compilation of legal rules establishing authoritative statement of law
2100 BCE – PresentUr, Mesopotamia
KnowledgeInstitutional Form
The Apprenticeship
Structured training through supervised work under experienced practitioners transmitting occupational skills
2000 BCE – PresentMultiple origins
LegalInstitutional Form
The Court System
Hierarchy of tribunals adjudicating disputes and applying law through formal proceedings
2000 BCE – PresentMultiple origins
EconomicInstitutional Form
The Customs System
Government apparatus for taxing, regulating, and controlling goods crossing borders
2000 BCE – PresentMultiple origins
ReligiousInstitutional Form
The Pilgrimage
Institutionalized sacred journey to holy sites for spiritual benefit, devotion, or obligation
2000 BCE – PresentMultiple origins
MilitaryInstitutional Form
The Standing Army
Permanent professional military force maintained in peace and war, replacing seasonal levies and militias
2000 BCE – PresentMultiple origins
LegalOrganization
Code of Hammurabi
Ancient Babylonian law code establishing written legal principles and proportional justice
1754 BCE – 1595 BCEBabylon, Mesopotamia
SocialInstitutional Form
The Caste System
Hereditary social stratification determining occupation, marriage, and social position by birth
1500 BCE – PresentIndus Valley region
LegalInstitutional Form
The Treaty System
Framework of binding agreements between states establishing rules and obligations in international relations
1280 BCE – PresentMultiple origins
GovernanceOrganization
Carthaginian Republic
Phoenician commercial republic that dominated western Mediterranean trade and challenged Rome for supremacy
814 BCE – 146 BCECarthage, Tunisia
ReligiousOrganization
Oracle at Delphi
Ancient Greece's preeminent prophetic sanctuary where the Pythia delivered Apollo's oracles, shaping politics and colonization
800 BCE – 393 CEDelphi, Greece
ReligiousInstitutional Form
Śramaṇa Movement
Ancient Indian ascetic tradition of wandering renouncers that gave rise to Buddhism, Jainism, and shaped Hindu philosophy
800 BCE – PresentGanges Plain, India
MilitaryOrganization
Spartan Agoge
Rigorous Spartan education and training system that produced ancient Greece's most formidable warriors
700 BCE – 227 BCESparta, Greece
MedicalInstitutional Form
Ayurvedic Medicine
Ancient Indian medical system with systematic texts, surgical techniques, and institutional training
600 BCE – PresentIndian Subcontinent
GovernanceInstitutional Form
The Constitution
Foundational legal document defining government structure, powers, limits, and fundamental rights
594 BCE – PresentAthens, Greece
GovernanceOrganization
Achaemenid Persian Empire
First world empire connecting three continents, establishing models of imperial administration and tolerance
550 BCE – 330 BCEPasargadae, Persia
MilitaryOrganization
Persian Immortals
Elite 10,000-strong royal guard of the Achaemenid Persian Empire renowned for constant strength
550 BCE – 330 BCEPasargadae, Persian Empire
ReligiousInstitutional Form
Buddhist Sangha
Monastic community of Buddhist monks and nuns practicing and preserving the Buddha's teachings
528 BCE – PresentSarnath, India
MilitaryOrganization
Roman Legion
Disciplined heavy infantry formation that conquered the Mediterranean and became the template for Western armies
509 BCE – 476 CERome, Italy
GovernanceOrganization
Roman Senate
Governing body of the Roman Republic and Empire, enduring model for deliberative assemblies
509 BCE – 603 CERome, Italy
GovernanceOrganization
Athenian Democracy
History's first large-scale direct democracy, where citizens directly voted on laws and policy
508 BCE – 322 BCEAthens, Greece
SocialInstitutional Form
The Citizenship
Legal status conferring membership in political community with associated rights and obligations
508 BCE – PresentAthens, Greece
MedicalInstitutional Form
Asclepieion
Ancient Greek healing sanctuaries dedicated to Asclepius combining religious ritual, therapeutic treatment, and early medicine
500 BCE – 400 CEEpidaurus, Greece
MilitaryInstitutional Form
The Conscript System
Compulsory military service system requiring citizens to serve in armed forces as civic obligation
500 BCE – PresentMultiple origins
MilitaryInstitutional Form
The Militia
Part-time military forces of citizen-soldiers who train periodically and mobilize for emergencies
500 BCE – PresentMultiple origins
MilitaryInstitutional Form
The Navy
Permanent maritime military force with specialized vessels, personnel, and doctrine for sea warfare and power projection
500 BCE – PresentMultiple origins
ReligiousInstitutional Form
The Religious School
Educational institution transmitting religious knowledge, training clergy, and forming believers
500 BCE – PresentMultiple origins
GovernanceInstitutional Form
Viking Thing
Norse assembly institution where free men gathered for lawmaking, dispute resolution, and political decisions
500 BCE – PresentScandinavia
GovernanceInstitutional Form
The Federation
Multi-level government dividing sovereignty between central and constituent units with shared rule
495 BCE – PresentMultiple origins
MedicalInstitutional Form
The Hospital
Institutional form for organized medical care, patient housing, and clinical training
400 BCE – PresentGreece (Asclepieia)
MilitaryInstitutional Form
The Mercenary Company
Organized military forces that fight for pay rather than political allegiance or territorial ties
400 BCE – PresentMultiple origins
KnowledgeOrganization
Academy of Athens
Plato's philosophical school, the Western world's first institution of higher learning
387 BCE – 529 CEAthens, Greece
KnowledgeInstitutional Form
The Academy
Learned society for advancing and discussing knowledge through research, publication, and intellectual exchange
387 BCE – PresentAthens, Greece
LegalInstitutional Form
The Legal Profession
Organized body of trained advocates and legal experts serving clients and administering justice
350 BCE – PresentRome, Roman Republic
GovernanceOrganization
Maurya Empire
First empire to unify most of the Indian subcontinent, establishing enduring administrative traditions
322 BCE – 185 BCEIndian Subcontinent
MilitaryInstitutional Form
The Border Defense System
Fortified frontier zones with garrisons, walls, and settler-soldiers defending civilizational boundaries
300 BCE – PresentMultiple origins
KnowledgeOrganization
Library of Alexandria
Ancient world's greatest repository of knowledge, pioneering systematic collection and scholarship
295 BCE – 642 CEAlexandria, Egypt
KnowledgeInstitutional Form
The Museum
Institution collecting, preserving, researching, and displaying objects for public education and cultural preservation
280 BCE – PresentAlexandria, Ptolemaic Egypt
GovernanceOrganization
Han Dynasty
Chinese dynasty that established Confucian governance, bureaucratic examinations, and the cultural template for East Asian civilization
206 BCE – 220 CEChang'an (Xi'an), China
MedicalInstitutional Form
Imperial Medical Bureau
Chinese state medical institution training physicians, compiling pharmacopeias, and providing court healthcare
200 BCE – PresentChang'an, Han China
GovernanceInstitutional Form
The Civil Service
Permanent government bureaucracy staffed through merit selection rather than patronage or heredity
200 BCE – PresentChang'an, Han China
ReligiousOrganization
Qumran Community
Jewish sectarian community that produced the Dead Sea Scrolls, practicing rigorous purity, communal living, and apocalyptic expectation
150 BCE – 68 CEQumran, Judaea
MilitaryOrganization
Praetorian Guard
Elite Roman imperial bodyguard that became kingmakers, deposing and installing emperors at will
27 BCE – 312 CERome, Roman Empire
ReligiousInstitutional Form
The Mission
Organized effort to spread religion to new populations through preaching, conversion, and institutional establishment
50 CE – PresentMultiple origins
LegalInstitutional Form
The Notariate
Officials authenticating documents and transactions, providing legal certainty through formal witness
100 CE – PresentRome, Roman Empire
ReligiousInstitutional Form
The Monastic Order
Organized religious community living under common rule with vows of poverty, obedience, and often celibacy
270 CE – PresentEgyptian desert
GovernanceOrganization
Gupta Empire
Classical Indian empire presiding over a golden age of Sanskrit literature, Hindu art, mathematics, and astronomy
320 CE – 550 CEPataliputra (Patna), India
ReligiousOrganization
Catholic Church
World's largest Christian church, shaping Western civilization for two millennia
325 CE – PresentRome, Italy (Vatican City)
ReligiousInstitutional Form
The Ecumenical Council
Assembly of religious leaders defining doctrine, resolving disputes, and establishing authoritative teaching
325 CE – PresentNicaea, Roman Empire
GovernanceOrganization
Byzantine Empire
Eastern Roman continuation preserving classical civilization, Orthodox Christianity, and Roman law for over a millennium
330 CE – 1453 CEConstantinople (Istanbul), Turkey
SocialInstitutional Form
The Orphanage System
Institutional care for parentless children through residential facilities providing shelter and upbringing
400 CE – PresentConstantinople, Byzantine Empire
KnowledgeOrganization
Nalanda University
Ancient Buddhist university and the world's first residential learning institution, transmitting knowledge across Asia for seven centuries
427 CE – 1193 CENalanda, Bihar, India
ReligiousOrganization
Shaolin Monastery
Chan Buddhist monastery and legendary birthplace of Zen Buddhism and Chinese martial arts
495 CE – PresentDengfeng, Henan Province, China
ReligiousInstitutional Form
Irish Monastic System
Early medieval network of Celtic monasteries that preserved classical learning and evangelized northern Europe
500 CE – 1200 CEIreland
GovernanceInstitutional Form
Imperial Examination System
Chinese civil service examinations selecting officials through standardized testing rather than birth
605 CE – 1905 CEChang'an (Xi'an), China
KnowledgeInstitutional Form
The Examination System
Formalized testing to certify knowledge, select for positions, or credential achievements
605 CE – PresentChang'an, Sui China
GovernanceOrganization
Tang Dynasty
Chinese dynasty representing the height of cosmopolitan culture, poetry, and East Asian political influence
618 CE – 907 CEChang'an (Xi'an), China
GovernanceOrganization
Islamic Caliphate
The succession of Islamic empires from Muhammad's death through the Abbasid golden age
632 CE – 1258 CEMedina, Arabia
GovernanceOrganization
Venetian Republic
Thousand-year maritime republic pioneering diplomatic, commercial, and constitutional innovations
697 CE – 1797 CEVenice, Italy
ReligiousInstitutional Form
The Waqf
Islamic charitable endowment supporting religious, educational, and public purposes in perpetuity
700 CE – PresentDamascus, Umayyad Caliphate
MedicalInstitutional Form
The Pharmacy
Establishment for preparing, compounding, and dispensing medicines and medical substances
754 CE – PresentBaghdad, Abbasid Caliphate
GovernanceOrganization
Holy Roman Empire
Medieval European polity claiming Roman and Christian legitimacy, evolving into a decentralized confederation of German states
800 CE – 1806 CEVarious (Aachen, Frankfurt, Vienna)
MedicalInstitutional Form
Bimaristan
Islamic hospital providing free medical care, training physicians, and advancing medical knowledge
805 CE – PresentBaghdad, Abbasid Caliphate
MedicalInstitutional Form
The Medical School
Specialized institution for training physicians through systematic medical education and clinical instruction
805 CE – PresentSalerno, Italy
MilitaryInstitutional Form
The Slave-Soldier System
Military forces recruited from enslaved outsiders who owed loyalty only to their masters, often becoming rulers themselves
833 CE – PresentSamarra, Abbasid Caliphate
EconomicInstitutional Form
The Guild
Occupational organization controlling entry, standards, and prices in a trade or craft
900 CE – PresentMultiple origins
GovernanceInstitutional Form
The Parliament
Representative legislative assembly where elected or appointed members debate and make laws
930 CE – PresentThingvellir, Iceland
GovernanceOrganization
Song Dynasty
Chinese dynasty achieving unprecedented economic and technological development, including gunpowder, printing, and the compass
960 CE – 1279 CEKaifeng and Hangzhou, China
KnowledgeOrganization
Al-Azhar University
One of the world's oldest operating universities, preeminent center of Islamic learning
970 CE – PresentCairo, Egypt
KnowledgeInstitutional Form
The University
The institutional form combining autonomous scholarly communities, structured curricula, and certified credentials
1000 CE – PresentEurope / Middle East
ReligiousOrganization
Eastern Orthodox Church
Major Christian communion preserving Byzantine liturgical and theological traditions across Eastern Europe and beyond
1054 CE – PresentConstantinople
KnowledgeOrganization
University of Bologna
The oldest university in continuous operation, establishing the model for Western higher education
1088 CE – PresentBologna, Italy
MedicalOrganization
Knights Hospitaller
Medieval Catholic military order pioneering organized medical care for pilgrims and wounded soldiers
1099 CE – PresentJerusalem, Holy Land
MilitaryInstitutional Form
The Military Order
Religious-military organizations combining monastic vows with martial purpose for holy war and territorial defense
1099 CE – PresentJerusalem, Kingdom of Jerusalem
MilitaryOrganization
Knights Templar
Military-religious order that protected pilgrims, pioneered banking, and became Europe's first multinational corporation
1119 CE – 1312 CEJerusalem, Kingdom of Jerusalem
EconomicOrganization
Hanseatic League
Medieval commercial confederation that dominated Baltic and North Sea trade for centuries
1150 CE – 1669 CENorthern Europe (Lübeck as de facto capital)
LegalInstitutional Form
The Jury
Lay citizens deciding facts in legal cases, providing community judgment in adjudication
1166 CE – PresentEngland
MilitaryOrganization
Samurai Class
Hereditary warrior aristocracy that dominated Japanese society and culture for seven centuries
1185 CE – 1876 CEKamakura, Japan
ReligiousInstitutional Form
Japanese Zen Buddhism
Meditative Buddhist tradition shaping samurai culture, Japanese aesthetics, and global contemplative practice
1191 CE – PresentKyoto and Kamakura, Japan
GovernanceInstitutional Form
Hawaiian Kapu System
Sacred law system governing Hawaiian society through religious prohibitions enforced by divine kingship and priestly authority
1200 CE – 1819 CEHawaiian Islands
MilitaryOrganization
Mongol Army
Highly mobile cavalry force that created the largest contiguous land empire in history
1206 CE – 1368 CEKarakorum, Mongolia
GovernanceOrganization
Mongol Empire
Largest contiguous land empire in history, connecting East and West through conquest and trade
1206 CE – 1368 CEKarakorum, Mongolia
LegalOrganization
Magna Carta
Medieval charter establishing that the king is subject to law, inspiring constitutional rights worldwide
1215 CE – PresentRunnymede, England
GovernanceOrganization
Parliament of England
Representative assembly that evolved from medieval council to model of legislative government
1215 CE – PresentWestminster, England
MedicalInstitutional Form
The Medical Licensing
State regulation requiring practitioners to demonstrate competence before practicing medicine
1231 CE – PresentKingdom of Sicily
GovernanceOrganization
Mali Empire
West African empire controlling trans-Saharan gold trade and renowned for wealth, learning, and Islamic scholarship
1235 CE – 1600 CENiani, Mali
MilitaryOrganization
Mamluk Military System
Slave-soldier system where military slaves became rulers, defeating both Crusaders and Mongols
1250 CE – 1517 CECairo, Egypt
GovernanceOrganization
Ethiopian Empire
Ancient Christian kingdom claiming Solomonic descent, the only African nation never colonized by European powers
1270 CE – 1974 CEAddis Ababa, Ethiopia
GovernanceOrganization
Ottoman Empire
Six-century Islamic empire bridging Europe and Asia, ruling from Vienna to Yemen
1299 CE – 1922 CESöğüt, Anatolia
EconomicInstitutional Form
The Insurance System
Risk pooling through premiums and reserves enabling compensation for losses and financial security
1347 CE – PresentGenoa, Italian city-states
MilitaryOrganization
Janissaries
Elite Ottoman slave-soldiers who became a powerful political force shaping imperial succession
1363 CE – 1826 CEEdirne, Ottoman Empire
MedicalInstitutional Form
The Quarantine System
Institutional isolation of persons, goods, and vessels to prevent disease transmission across borders
1377 CE – PresentRagusa (Dubrovnik), Republic of Ragusa
ReligiousInstitutional Form
Institution of the Dalai Lama
Reincarnating spiritual leadership combining religious authority with political rule, governing Tibet for centuries
1391 CE – PresentLhasa, Tibet (now Dharamsala, India)
EconomicOrganization
Medici Bank
Renaissance banking dynasty that pioneered international finance and funded the Italian Renaissance
1397 CE – 1494 CEFlorence, Italy
KnowledgeInstitutional Form
Tibetan Monastic Universities
Great monastic universities preserving Nalanda traditions through debate, scholastic study, and the geshe degree system
1409 CE – PresentLhasa, Tibet (now also in exile in India)
GovernanceOrganization
Aztec Triple Alliance
Mesoamerican imperial confederation of three city-states dominating central Mexico through tribute, trade, and ritual warfare
1428 CE – 1521 CETenochtitlan (Mexico City), Mexico
GovernanceOrganization
Inca Empire
Largest pre-Columbian empire in the Americas, governing through labor tribute and road networks without writing or money
1438 CE – 1533 CECusco, Peru
GovernanceOrganization
Iroquois Confederacy (Haudenosaunee)
Federal alliance of six Indigenous nations practicing consensus governance, influencing American constitutional thought
1450 CE – 1784 CEOnondaga, New York
EconomicInstitutional Form
The Patent System
Legal framework granting temporary monopolies on inventions to incentivize innovation and disclosure
1474 CE – PresentVenice, Venetian Republic
MilitaryOrganization
Cossack Hosts
Frontier warrior communities that shaped Eastern European history through military prowess and fierce independence
1492 CE – 1920 CEZaporizhian Sich, Ukraine
GovernanceOrganization
Spanish Empire
Global colonial empire spanning four centuries, creating the first truly worldwide political and economic system
1492 CE – 1976 CEMadrid, Spain
GovernanceInstitutional Form
The Colonial Administration
Governance structure for ruling distant territories on behalf of imperial metropole
1492 CE – PresentHispaniola, Spanish Caribbean
GovernanceOrganization
Safavid Empire
Persian empire that established Twelver Shi'ism as Iran's state religion, creating a distinct Iranian-Islamic identity
1501 CE – 1736 CEIsfahan, Iran
GovernanceOrganization
Mughal Empire
Islamic empire ruling most of the Indian subcontinent, creating a synthesis of Persian, Central Asian, and Indian cultures
1526 CE – 1857 CEDelhi and Agra, India
MilitaryOrganization
Spanish Tercio
Combined pike-and-shot infantry formation that dominated European battlefields for over a century
1534 CE – 1704 CENaples, Kingdom of Naples
ReligiousOrganization
Society of Jesus (Jesuits)
Catholic religious order renowned for education, missions, and intellectual engagement with the modern world
1540 CE – PresentRome, Italy
MilitaryOrganization
British Royal Navy
Naval force that dominated the world's oceans for three centuries and enabled the British Empire
1546 CE – PresentLondon, England
EconomicInstitutional Form
The Joint-Stock Company
Business owned by shareholders with transferable stakes, limited liability, and perpetual existence
1553 CE – PresentLondon, England
EconomicOrganization
British East India Company
Trading company that became a colonial power, ruling much of India and shaping global commerce for over two centuries
1600 CE – 1874 CELondon, England
EconomicInstitutional Form
The Corporation
Legal entity enabling collective ownership, limited liability, transferable shares, and perpetual existence
1600 CE – PresentEurope (Netherlands, England)
EconomicOrganization
Amsterdam Stock Exchange
World's first official stock exchange, creating the template for modern securities markets
1602 CE – PresentAmsterdam, Netherlands
EconomicOrganization
Dutch East India Company
First multinational corporation and publicly traded company, pioneering modern capitalism
1602 CE – 1799 CEAmsterdam, Netherlands
EconomicInstitutional Form
The Stock Exchange
Organized marketplace for trading securities with rules, listings, and clearing mechanisms
1602 CE – PresentAmsterdam, Dutch Republic
GovernanceOrganization
Tokugawa Shogunate
Military government that unified Japan and maintained 250 years of peace through isolationist policies
1603 CE – 1868 CEEdo (Tokyo), Japan
MilitaryOrganization
Qing Eight Banners
Manchu military-social organization that conquered China and maintained Qing dynasty rule for nearly three centuries
1615 CE – 1911 CEMukden, Manchuria
MilitaryInstitutional Form
The Military Academy
Formal educational institutions for training military officers in tactics, strategy, and professional skills
1617 CE – PresentSiegen, Nassau
GovernanceOrganization
Qing Dynasty
Last Chinese imperial dynasty, ruled by Manchus, expanded China to its greatest territorial extent
1644 CE – 1912 CEBeijing, China
GovernanceInstitutional Form
The Nation-State
Sovereign political entity combining defined territory, national identity, and centralized government
1648 CE – PresentEurope
KnowledgeOrganization
Royal Society
World's oldest national scientific academy, establishing peer review and experimental method as norms
1660 CE – PresentLondon, England
EconomicInstitutional Form
Central Banking
Institutional form for managing national monetary policy, currency issuance, and financial stability
1668 CE – PresentEurope (Sweden)
GovernanceInstitutional Form
The Political Party
Organized groups competing for political power through elections or other means with shared ideology and goals
1679 CE – PresentLondon, England
EconomicOrganization
Lloyd's of London
World's oldest and leading insurance marketplace, pioneering risk assessment and underwriting practices
1688 CE – PresentLondon, England
SocialInstitutional Form
The Social Club
Voluntary association for fellowship, networking, and shared interests among members
1693 CE – PresentLondon, England
EconomicOrganization
Bank of England
The world's most influential central bank model, shaping modern monetary systems
1694 CE – PresentLondon, England
MedicalOrganization
Men-Tsee-Khang
Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute preserving and teaching traditional Tibetan medicine
1696 CE – PresentLhasa, Tibet
SocialInstitutional Form
The Fraternal Order
Secret or semi-secret societies with rituals, mutual aid, and networks among initiated members
1717 CE – PresentLondon, England
KnowledgeInstitutional Form
The Public School System
State-organized compulsory education providing universal schooling for citizens
1717 CE – PresentPrussia
EconomicInstitutional Form
The Trade Union
Worker organization for collective bargaining, mutual aid, and advocacy for labor rights
1720 CE – PresentLondon, England
GovernanceOrganization
United States Constitution
Supreme law of the United States and influential model for constitutional democracy worldwide
1789 CE – PresentPhiladelphia, USA
LegalOrganization
Supreme Court of the United States
Highest court in the United States, establishing judicial review and constitutional interpretation as judicial functions
1789 CE – PresentWashington, D.C., United States
LegalInstitutional Form
The Prison System
Institutional incarceration as primary punishment, confining offenders in state-operated facilities
1790 CE – PresentPhiladelphia, United States
KnowledgeInstitutional Form
The Research Institute
Organization dedicated to systematic investigation and knowledge production in specified domains
1799 CE – PresentLondon, England
MilitaryOrganization
Prussian General Staff
Professional military planning institution that revolutionized modern warfare through systematic preparation
1806 CE – 1945 CEBerlin, Prussia
MilitaryInstitutional Form
The General Staff
Permanent institution for military planning, doctrine development, and strategic coordination adopted worldwide
1806 CE – PresentBerlin, Prussia
LegalInstitutional Form
The Police Force
Organized civil body maintaining public order, preventing crime, and enforcing law
1829 CE – PresentLondon, England
MilitaryOrganization
French Foreign Legion
Elite multinational military force offering service, identity, and redemption to volunteers from any nation
1831 CE – PresentAlgiers, French Algeria
MedicalInstitutional Form
The Public Health System
Government apparatus for protecting and improving population health through collective action and prevention
1848 CE – PresentLondon, England
MedicalOrganization
International Red Cross
Humanitarian movement protecting victims of armed conflict and promoting international humanitarian law
1863 CE – PresentGeneva, Switzerland
MedicalInstitutional Form
The Health Insurance
Collective financing mechanism pooling risk and resources to pay for medical care
1883 CE – PresentBerlin, German Empire
SocialInstitutional Form
The Welfare System
State provision of social protection for citizens against poverty, illness, unemployment, and old age
1883 CE – PresentBerlin, German Empire
MedicalOrganization
Pasteur Institute
Pioneering biomedical research institution establishing the model for infectious disease and vaccine research
1887 CE – PresentParis, France
MedicalInstitutional Form
The Medical Research Institute
Dedicated facility for systematic investigation of disease, health, and medical treatment
1887 CE – PresentParis, France
ReligiousOrganization
Thai Sangha
State-regulated Buddhist monastic order governing Thailand's 40,000 temples and 300,000 monks under royal patronage
1902 CE – PresentBangkok, Thailand
EconomicOrganization
Federal Reserve
United States central bank controlling monetary policy and serving as lender of last resort
1913 CE – PresentWashington, D.C., United States
MedicalOrganization
Rockefeller Foundation
Pioneering philanthropic foundation transforming global public health through strategic science-based interventions
1913 CE – PresentNew York City, United States
MilitaryOrganization
Red Army
Soviet military force that defeated Nazi Germany and projected superpower influence during the Cold War
1918 CE – 1991 CEMoscow, Soviet Russia
GovernanceOrganization
League of Nations
First worldwide intergovernmental organization dedicated to maintaining world peace
1920 CE – 1946 CEGeneva, Switzerland
EconomicOrganization
International Monetary Fund
Global institution promoting international monetary cooperation and financial stability
1944 CE – PresentWashington, D.C., United States
EconomicOrganization
World Bank
International development institution providing loans and grants to reduce poverty in developing countries
1944 CE – PresentWashington, D.C., United States
GovernanceOrganization
United Nations
Global organization for international peace, security, and cooperation with near-universal membership
1945 CE – PresentNew York, USA
MilitaryOrganization
Israeli Defense Forces
Citizens' army combining universal conscription with technological innovation and unconventional doctrine
1948 CE – PresentTel Aviv, Israel
MedicalOrganization
National Health Service
UK publicly funded healthcare system providing universal care free at point of use
1948 CE – PresentLondon, United Kingdom
MedicalOrganization
World Health Organization
United Nations specialized agency directing international health policy and coordinating pandemic response
1948 CE – PresentGeneva, Switzerland
MilitaryOrganization
NATO
Transatlantic military alliance providing collective defense for North American and European member states
1949 CE – PresentBrussels, Belgium
MedicalOrganization
Médecins Sans Frontières
International humanitarian medical organization providing emergency aid and bearing witness to crises
1971 CE – PresentParis, France
GovernanceOrganization
European Union
Supranational union of European states achieving unprecedented economic and political integration
1993 CE – PresentBrussels, Belgium
EconomicOrganization
World Trade Organization
International body governing global trade rules and resolving disputes between trading nations
1995 CE – PresentGeneva, Switzerland