What is the dictionary definition of a democracy?
English Language Learners Definition of democracy. : a form of government in which people choose leaders by voting. : a country ruled by democracy. : an organization or situation in which everyone is treated equally and has equal rights. See the full definition for democracy in the English Language Learners Dictionary.
What are the basic principles of a democracy?
Democracy rests upon the principles of majority rule and individual rights. Democracies guard against all-powerful central gov- ernments and decentralize govern- ment to regional and local levels, understanding that all levels of government must be as accessible and responsive to the people as possible.
How does a country call itself a democracy?
Some people assert that a country calling itself a democracy must be engaged in direct (or pure) democracy, in which the people of a state or region vote directly for policies, rather than elect representatives who make choices on their behalf.
What is the difference between a republic and a democracy?
However, both democracy and republic have more than a single meaning, and one of the definitions we provide for democracy closely resembles the definition of republic given above: “a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving
How does the rule of law work in a democracy?
Democracy is a system of rule by laws, not by individuals. In a democracy, the rule of law protects the rights of citizens, maintains order, and limits the power of government. All citizens are equal under the law. No one may be discriminated against on the basis of their race, religion, ethnic group, or gender.
How is the United States a representative democracy?
The United States is a representative democracy. This means that our government is elected by citizens. Here, citizens vote for their government officials. These officials represent the citizens’ ideas and concerns in government.
Who was the first president to define democracy?
U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, in his famed 1863 Gettysburg Address may have best-defined democracy as a “…government of the people, by the people, for the people…” Semantically, the term democracy comes from the Greek words for “people” (dēmos) and “rule” (karatos).
What makes a democracy different from other forms of government?
One simple factor common to all democracies is: the government is chosen by the people. We could thus start with a simple definition: democracy is a form of government in which the rulers are elected by the people. This is a useful starting point.
What makes a democracy bad for the people?
1 Leaders keep changing in a democracy leading to instability 2 Democracy is all about political competition and power play, leaving no scope for morality 3 Many people have to be consulted in a democracy that leads to delays 4 Elected leaders do not know the best interest of the people, resulting in bad decisions
What are the different types of Democracies?
Types of democracies are classified according to various distinguishing features, including constitutional democracy, democratic socialism, Jeffersonian democracy, liberal democracy, parliamentary democracy, or presidential democracy, to name a few.
Where did the idea of democracy come from?
However, the main idea of democracy is widely accepted to have originated from Athens in the 5thcentury BC. The Webster New Encyclopaedic Dictionary (1995) defines democracy as a government in which supreme power is invested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through representation.
Which is the best definition of the word drab?
1. A dull grayish to yellowish or light olive brown. 2. Cloth of this color or of an unbleached natural color. [Alteration of obsolete French drap, cloth, from Old French; see drape .] drab′ness n. n. 1. A slovenly woman; a slattern. 2. A woman prostitute.
What are the basic features of a democracy?
Democracies conduct regular free and fair elections open to citizens of voting age. Citizens in a democracy have not only rights, but also the responsi- bility to participate in the political system that, in turn, protects their rights and free- doms.
What makes a company a democracy or a democracy?
In a democracy, every citizen should have the right to vote. The company is not a democracy; decisions are made by a board of directors, not the workers. There is democracy within the company. Indeed, these efforts aim to engineer volatility to undermine democracy itself.
How is the idea of democracy properly understood?
Democracy, properly understood, is the context in which individuals freely engage in a process of reasoned discussion and deliberation on an equal footing. The ideas of freedom and equality provide guidelines for structuring democratic institutions. The aim of democracy as public justification is reasoned consensus among citizens.
How is democracy a system of competition for power?
I. Democracy as a Political System of Competition for Power Democracy is a means for the people to choose their leaders and to hold their leaders accountable for their policies and their conduct in office. The people decide who will represent them in parliament, and who will head the government at the national and local levels.
What are the rights of citizens in a democracy?
In a democratic setting citizens have the right to be informed of public issues and how they affect them. They have the right to express their opinions and interests openly. They also have the right to know how their political leaders and representatives use their constitutional powers.