The word "democratic" is spelled as [dɛməˈkrætɪk]. The first syllable "dem" is pronounced with a /d/ sound followed by a schwa sound /ə/. The second syllable "o" is pronounced with a short /ɑ/ sound. The third syllable "crat" has a /k/ sound followed by a short /æ/ sound. The final syllable "ic" is pronounced with a long /i/ sound followed by a soft /k/ sound. The spelling of the word "democratic" follows the English language's complex phonetic and orthographic system.
Democratic is an adjective that pertains to or denotes democracy, a system of government in which power is vested in the people, either directly or through chosen representatives. It originates from the Greek word "dēmokratia," which combines "dēmos" meaning "people" and "kratos" meaning "rule" or "power." The concept of democratic governance emerged in ancient Greece in the 5th century BCE and has since become one of the most widely adopted forms of government worldwide.
In this context, democratic describes political systems, institutions, or processes that prioritize and respect the will of the people. It emphasizes the principles of popular sovereignty, political equality, and active citizen participation in decision-making. A democratic government typically ensures the rights and freedoms of its citizens, such as freedom of speech, association, and assembly. It also provides mechanisms for peaceful transfer of power, such as regular elections and a separation of powers among different branches of government to prevent abuse of authority.
Furthermore, democratic can describe any organization, society, or practice that adheres to democratic principles, where decisions are made collectively, with individual opinions and desires taken into account. It promotes openness, inclusiveness, and accountability, allowing for a range of perspectives to shape the outcomes of discussions, deliberations, and decision-making.
Overall, democratic encompasses the fundamental values and ideals of democracy, encouraging active civic engagement, ensuring rights and freedoms, and fostering a sense of shared responsibility and empowerment among citizens.
Popular; pert. to government by the people.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* 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.
The word "democratic" has its origins in the Greek language. It comes from the Greek word "dēmokratikos", which is a combination of two words: "dēmos" meaning "the people" and "kratos" meaning "power" or "rule". So, "democratic" essentially means "rule of the people" or "power to the people". This term was used to describe the political system of ancient Athens, known as "demokratia", which was characterized by direct participation and decision-making by the citizens. The word "demokratia" was adapted into Latin as "democratia" and later made its way into English as "democracy". From there, the adjective "democratic" was derived to describe systems, institutions, or principles that promote equality, participation, and respect for the rights of individuals.