What Is Democracy?
Democracy is the word most often used to describe a political system in which citizens have a say over government decisions. This can be done through direct democracy where everyone gets to vote on a decision, or through representative democracy where people elect officials who make decisions for them, like in the US Congress and UK Parliament. Ideally, democracy promotes equal opportunities for all and prevents arbitrary rule. The term is also used to refer to a process of arbitration between conflicting components of a society, and a recognition both of their similarities and of the differences between them.
Throughout history, the democratic concept has inspired some of humanity’s most inspiring expressions of will and intellect, from Pericles in ancient Athens to Vaclav Havel in modern Czechoslovakia. The idea of democracy has also been a driving force behind some of the most important events in human history, from the Revolutionary War in America to the fall of communism in Eastern Europe. While many people today see the world as more democratized than ever, others question whether democracy really delivers on its promises of freedom.
Many countries have a form of democracy, but no one system is the “best” or the only model. There are presidential and parliamentary democracies, unitary and federal states, systems that use proportional representation or majoritarian voting, and even some monarchies that call themselves democracies. The key factor is that the underlying principle is one of equality and respect for all, with citizens’ rights to be involved in politics and to influence government decisions.
The term democracy derives from the Greek words demos (“people”) and kratos (“rule”). It is, therefore, a political philosophy that runs counter to absolute power based on tradition or divine right, and voluntarism that appeals to a people’s interests and rights while imposing military or economic control over them. In a world where totalitarian regimes and dictatorships are still common, it is essential that the underlying principle of democracy be respected and defended.
This is why it is important to understand how a democracy works, and to recognize its limits and weaknesses. For example, if a democracy only allows citizens to vote once every four or five years, and if those votes do not have a meaningful impact on the way a country is run, it is difficult to argue that a democracy exists.
Furthermore, a democracy requires that people participate actively in politics and governance, not just by casting their ballots at elections but also by engaging in other forms of civic action such as community organizing, advocacy, building relationships with public bodies, or volunteering. This engagement is a vital component of democracy and it can have benefits including greater democratic legitimacy for institutions because they are more connected with their communities, increased awareness and understanding among different groups in society, and improved accountability of public bodies through better dialogue.
Democracy cannot be viewed solely as a set of ideas and principles about freedom; it is the institutionalization of freedom, and for that reason it has a very long and tortuous history. There are a number of organizations that try to evaluate the extent to which a state is democratic, and these vary in their focus.
Democracy is the word most often used to describe a political system in which citizens have a say over government decisions. This can be done through direct democracy where everyone gets to vote on a decision, or through representative democracy where people elect officials who make decisions for them, like in the US Congress and UK Parliament. Ideally, democracy promotes equal opportunities for all and prevents arbitrary rule. The term is also used to refer to a process of arbitration between conflicting components of a society, and a recognition both of their similarities and of the differences between them. Throughout history, the democratic concept has inspired some of humanity’s most inspiring expressions of will and intellect, from Pericles in ancient Athens to Vaclav Havel in modern Czechoslovakia. The idea of democracy has also been a driving force behind some of the most important events in human history, from the Revolutionary War in America to the fall of communism in Eastern Europe. While many people today see the world as more democratized than ever, others question whether democracy really delivers on its promises of freedom. Many countries have a form of democracy, but no one system is the “best” or the only model. There are presidential and parliamentary democracies, unitary and federal states, systems that use proportional representation or majoritarian voting, and even some monarchies that call themselves democracies. The key factor is that the underlying principle is one of equality and respect for all, with citizens’ rights to be involved in politics and to influence government decisions. The term democracy derives from the Greek words demos (“people”) and kratos (“rule”). It is, therefore, a political philosophy that runs counter to absolute power based on tradition or divine right, and voluntarism that appeals to a people’s interests and rights while imposing military or economic control over them. In a world where totalitarian regimes and dictatorships are still common, it is essential that the underlying principle of democracy be respected and defended. This is why it is important to understand how a democracy works, and to recognize its limits and weaknesses. For example, if a democracy only allows citizens to vote once every four or five years, and if those votes do not have a meaningful impact on the way a country is run, it is difficult to argue that a democracy exists. Furthermore, a democracy requires that people participate actively in politics and governance, not just by casting their ballots at elections but also by engaging in other forms of civic action such as community organizing, advocacy, building relationships with public bodies, or volunteering. This engagement is a vital component of democracy and it can have benefits including greater democratic legitimacy for institutions because they are more connected with their communities, increased awareness and understanding among different groups in society, and improved accountability of public bodies through better dialogue. Democracy cannot be viewed solely as a set of ideas and principles about freedom; it is the institutionalization of freedom, and for that reason it has a very long and tortuous history. There are a number of organizations that try to evaluate the extent to which a state is democratic, and these vary in their focus.