DEMOCRACY Meaning and
Definition
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Democracy is a form of government in which power and decision-making authority are vested in the people as a whole. Derived from the Greek words "demos" (meaning "people") and "kratos" (meaning "rule" or "power"), democracy fundamentally represents a system where the citizens have the ability to participate in the governing process and exercise their rights and responsibilities.
In a democracy, the people possess the freedom to elect representatives who will make decisions on their behalf, or directly engage in decision-making through methods such as referendums and town hall meetings. Key principles of democracy include political equality, majority rule, protection of minority rights, and respect for individual liberties. It emphasizes the involvement and engagement of citizens in both the political and civic spheres.
Democracy is often contrasted with other forms of government like autocracy or dictatorship, as it promotes pluralism, transparency, accountability, and the rule of law. Popular sovereignty lies at the core of democracy, wherein the government's legitimacy arises from the consent of the governed. It allows for periodic elections, fostering a peaceful transfer of power and enabling different perspectives and ideas to be represented.
Through its principles and mechanisms, democracy seeks to ensure the safeguarding of basic human rights, promote social justice, and provide a platform for inclusive public discourse. While no system is perfect, democracy provides a framework for citizens to exercise their political agency, express their opinions, protect their interests, and participate in shaping the collective decisions that impact their lives and communities.
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Government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is exercised by the people collectively.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for DEMOCRACY *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for DEMOCRACY
Etymology of DEMOCRACY
The word "democracy" can be traced back to its Greek origins. It is derived from the combination of two Greek words: "demos" meaning "people" and "kratos" meaning "rule" or "power". Thus, the etymology of "democracy" can be understood as "rule by the people". The term was first coined in ancient Athens, Greece, where the concept of allowing citizens to participate in political decision-making and hold power emerged. Today, "democracy" refers to a system of government in which the people hold the power and have the ability to elect representatives or directly participate in decision-making processes.
Similar spelling words for DEMOCRACY
- demography,
- teamakers,
- demogorgon,
- toymakers,
- e-democracy,
- social-democracy,
- democratize,
- democrat,
- pro-democracy,
- democratise,
- democrazia,
- democritus,
- diemakers,
- damagers,
- demokrasi,
- demokrasia,
- ARISTO-DEMOCRACY,
- democracy-building,
- democratic,
- Timocracy,
- democracia.
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