To stretch it as far back as possible, Urukagina became king of Lagash around 2300 BC, after his predecessor was overthrown in a popular revolt. His preserved edicts destroyed entire bureaucracies, abolished price controls, and contain the first known example of a word for freedom. That makes the previous king Lugalanda the first socialist. They have over 4000 years of failure.

To stretch it as far back as possible, Urukagina became king of Lagash around 2300 BC, after his predecessor was overthrown in a popular revolt. His preserved edicts destroyed entire bureaucracies, abolished price controls, and contain the first known example of a word for freedom. That makes Lugalanda the first socialist. They have over 4000 years of failure.