People have been voting for their rulers for thousands of years. The first recorded formal electionA vote in which someone is chosen to represent a group of people. took place in SpartaAnother of the great classical city-states, best known for its uncompromising martial culture. all the way back in 754 BC.

Even so, people still find it very difficult to work out who to vote for. To make it easier, the Day has imagined how four thinkers might pick their parties this Thursday:

David HumeThe Scottish philosopher argued that all human knowledge is acquired through experience and therefore embracing the unknown is a fundamental part of being human. - LabourBritain's main left-of-centre political party. Hume believed in a slow reform of society, making small steps at a time. He also died believing he had achieved very little.

Friedrich NietzscheA German classical scholar, philosopher, and critic of culture (1844 - 1900), who became one of the most influential of all modern thinkers. - Conservative PartyA British political party. Members are known as Tories. Nietzsche was very negative about the future, just as many Conservatives are about the election. He believed society should be run by the eliteThe richest, most powerful, best-educated or best-trained members of society. , so he would not have wanted taxesThere are three main ways for governments to obtain money: print it, borrow it or collect taxes. on private schoolsSchools that educate pupils in return for a fee..

Mary WollstonecraftA British writer who is often called the mother of feminism. In A Vindication of the Rights of Woman she argued for equal rights for both genders. - Liberal DemocratAlso known as the Lib Dems, a liberal political party in the UK. As a firm believer in caring for other human beings, Wollstonecraft would have approved of the Lib Dems' promise to spend on social care.

SocratesConsidered by some to be the greatest philosopher in history, Socrates is credited with developing the whole notion of critical reason. - ReformMaking big changes to how a system works. Socrates thought his role was to criticise the governmentThe group of people who govern - or lead - the country.. He admired authoritarianEnforcing strict obedience to authority. rulers.

But how does a philosopher choose which way they will vote?

Some would tell you to vote for the party whose policies would help you the most. Others would say it is no use voting for a politician who will not keep their promises, so the most important thing is pick a party you trust.

Is there a right and wrong way to choose?

Yes! Voting is a serious thing. People should think carefully about who would make the best leader and who has the best ideas to change the country.

No! Your vote is your own. You can vote for whoever you think has the best fashion sense, if that is what you want to do. In democraciesCountries which have a system of government based on the idea of rule by the people., we do not say there is a "right" way to choose how to vote.

Election - A vote in which someone is chosen to represent a group of people.

Sparta - Another of the great classical city-states, best known for its uncompromising martial culture.

David Hume - The Scottish philosopher argued that all human knowledge is acquired through experience and therefore embracing the unknown is a fundamental part of being human.

Labour - Britain's main left-of-centre political party.

Friedrich Nietzsche - A German classical scholar, philosopher, and critic of culture (1844 - 1900), who became one of the most influential of all modern thinkers.

Conservative party - A British political party. Members are known as Tories.

Elite - The richest, most powerful, best-educated or best-trained members of society.

Taxes - There are three main ways for governments to obtain money: print it, borrow it or collect taxes.

Private schools - Schools that educate pupils in return for a fee.

Mary Wollstonecraft - A British writer who is often called the mother of feminism. In A Vindication of the Rights of Woman she argued for equal rights for both genders.

Liberal Democrat - Also known as the Lib Dems, a liberal political party in the UK.

Socrates - Considered by some to be the greatest philosopher in history, Socrates is credited with developing the whole notion of critical reason.

Reform - Making big changes to how a system works.

Government - The group of people who govern - or lead - the country.

Authoritarian - Enforcing strict obedience to authority.

Democracies - Countries which have a system of government based on the idea of rule by the people.