Final answer:
Representative government is a significant political innovation that has promoted greater equality among citizens option (a) by allowing for democratic participation and shaping a more egalitarian society.
Step-by-step explanation:
Representative government is a political innovation that dramatically influences the development of society. Conceived during a period where class systems were evolving and social contract theory was gaining traction, it shifted the notions of governance from absolutist and monarchal rule, which placed political decisions in the hands of rulers deemed virtuous by divine right, to a system where political authority is vested in elected individuals that represent the citizenry.
The influence of this political innovation is multifaceted, but specifically, it promoted greater equality among citizens by providing them with a voice and the power to influence governmental decisions, thus shaping a more participatory and democratic society.
The introduction of representative government also reshaped the structures of power, diminishing the absolute rule of monarchs. This transformation expanded the concept of political legitimacy, as noted by Max Weber, and laid the groundwork for civil movements that would seek to hold governments accountable to their obligations towards all citizens, as seen in the actions of civil rights leaders who demanded that the US government fulfill its duties equitably.
Ultimately, the establishment of representative government has had a profound impact on political ideologies and the allocation of power and wealth within societies, encouraging the transition from hierarchical rule to more egalitarian structures, thus enhancing the efficiency of governance and supporting the ideals of democracy.