What is Democracy?
Democracy combines the Greek words demos (people) and kratos (power or rule). It means “government by the people.” Democracy is a political system in which citizens participate in government and have rights and responsibilities. In a democracy, decisions are made by and for the people, through elected representatives who are accountable to the public. Democracy is a way of life that requires cooperation and compromise, but it also offers many opportunities for people to contribute to society in positive ways.
Democracy is a dynamic and evolving concept that has shaped the course of human history, turning societies from monarchy and conquest into self-determination, freedom and peace. It has inspired some of the most enduring expressions of courage and wisdom, from Pericles in ancient Athens to Vaclav Havel in modern Czechoslovakia.
A democratic system is a process that never ends: it is always possible to improve the “people” part of democracy by including more people in decision making, and the “power” or “will” part of democracy by giving more people real power. Struggles for democracy throughout history have usually focused on one or the other, and no democracy is perfect – but each of us can play an important role in ensuring that democracy continues to evolve and thrive.
The key to democracy is participation. People must use the opportunity to take part in government – which includes voting, but also the ability to join civic groups, work with community organisations, make and support laws and hold their politicians accountable. Participation is most effective at local level, where individuals are more aware of the issues that affect them and those around them.
All of these forms of participation must be open to every citizen. People should be able to participate in elections that are free and fair, with genuine competition among political parties and a transparent process for determining who governs them. They must be able to communicate with their governments, and with each other, without fear of repression or interference. They must have the freedom of speech, assembly and association – which includes the right to protest if they disagree with decisions made by their governments.
People must be able to trust their democratic institutions, which must deliver services that are worthy of their taxes and ensure the well being of everyone in society. They must be able to hold their politicians and government responsible for the decisions they make, and to know that democracy is not about power-grabbing or self-interest; it is about a shared commitment to the wellbeing of all. Only then will democracy survive the challenge of globalization and the temptations that come with it – the threats from demagogues who promise easy solutions and the lure of autocracies that claim to represent the people. Only then will it continue to provide the foundation for the global prosperity that we all deserve.
Democracy combines the Greek words demos (people) and kratos (power or rule). It means “government by the people.” Democracy is a political system in which citizens participate in government and have rights and responsibilities. In a democracy, decisions are made by and for the people, through elected representatives who are accountable to the public. Democracy is a way of life that requires cooperation and compromise, but it also offers many opportunities for people to contribute to society in positive ways. Democracy is a dynamic and evolving concept that has shaped the course of human history, turning societies from monarchy and conquest into self-determination, freedom and peace. It has inspired some of the most enduring expressions of courage and wisdom, from Pericles in ancient Athens to Vaclav Havel in modern Czechoslovakia. A democratic system is a process that never ends: it is always possible to improve the “people” part of democracy by including more people in decision making, and the “power” or “will” part of democracy by giving more people real power. Struggles for democracy throughout history have usually focused on one or the other, and no democracy is perfect – but each of us can play an important role in ensuring that democracy continues to evolve and thrive. The key to democracy is participation. People must use the opportunity to take part in government – which includes voting, but also the ability to join civic groups, work with community organisations, make and support laws and hold their politicians accountable. Participation is most effective at local level, where individuals are more aware of the issues that affect them and those around them. All of these forms of participation must be open to every citizen. People should be able to participate in elections that are free and fair, with genuine competition among political parties and a transparent process for determining who governs them. They must be able to communicate with their governments, and with each other, without fear of repression or interference. They must have the freedom of speech, assembly and association – which includes the right to protest if they disagree with decisions made by their governments. People must be able to trust their democratic institutions, which must deliver services that are worthy of their taxes and ensure the well being of everyone in society. They must be able to hold their politicians and government responsible for the decisions they make, and to know that democracy is not about power-grabbing or self-interest; it is about a shared commitment to the wellbeing of all. Only then will democracy survive the challenge of globalization and the temptations that come with it – the threats from demagogues who promise easy solutions and the lure of autocracies that claim to represent the people. Only then will it continue to provide the foundation for the global prosperity that we all deserve.