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    Democracy

    Uploaded by

    Kamal K Sharma

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    Democracy

    Uploaded by

    Kamal K Sharma
    84 views2 pages

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    84 views2 pages

    Democracy

    Uploaded by

    Kamal K Sharma

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
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    Democracy is a political form of government where governing power is derived from the people,

    either by direct referendum (direct democracy) or by means of elected representatives of the people
    (representative democracy). The term comes from the Greek: δημοκρατία – (dēmokratía) "rule of
    the people",[1] which was coined from δῆμος (dêmos) "people" and κράτος (krátos) "power", in the
    middle of the fifth-fourth century BC to denote the political systems then existing in some Greek
    city-states, notably Athens following a popular uprising in 508 BC.[2] Even though there is no
    specific, universally accepted definition of 'democracy',[3] equality and freedom have been
    identified as important characteristics of democracy since ancient times.[4] These principles are
    reflected in all citizens being equal before the law and having equal access to power. For example, in
    a representative democracy, every vote has equal weight, no restrictions can apply to anyone
    wanting to become a representative, and the freedom of its citizens is secured by legitimized rights
    and liberties which are generally protected by a constitution.[5][6]

    There are several varieties of democracy, some of which provide better representation and more
    freedoms for their citizens than others.[7][8] However, if any democracy is not carefully legislated –
    through the use of balances – to avoid an uneven distribution of political power, such as the
    separation of powers, then a branch of the system of rule could accumulate power and become
    undemocratic.[9][10][11]

    The "majority rule" is often described as a characteristic feature of democracy, but without anti-
    democratic governmental or constitutional protections of individual liberties from democratic
    power, it is possible for a minority of individuals to be oppressed by the "tyranny of the majority".
    An essential process in representative democracies is competitive elections that are fair both
    substantively[12] and procedurally.[13] Furthermore, freedom of political expression, freedom of
    speech, and freedom of the press are essential so that citizens are informed and able to vote in their
    personal interests.[14][15]

    Popular sovereignty is common but not a universal motivating subject for establishing a democracy.
    [16] In some countries, democracy is based on the philosophical principle of equal rights. Many
    people use the term "democracy" as shorthand for liberal democracy, which may include additional
    elements such as political pluralism; equality before the law; the right to petition elected officials for
    redress of grievances; due process; civil liberties; human rights; and elements of civil society outside
    the government.

    In the United States, separation of powers is often cited as a supporting attribute, but in other
    countries, such as the United Kingdom, the dominant philosophy is parliamentary sovereignty
    (though in practice judicial independence is generally maintained). In other cases, "democracy" is
    used to mean direct democracy. Though the term "democracy" is typically used in the context of a
    political state, the principles are applicable to private organizations and other groups also.
    Democracy has its origins in Ancient Greece.[17][18] However other cultures have significantly
    contributed to the evolution of democracy such as Ancient Rome,[17] Europe,[17] and North and
    South America.[19] The concept of representative democracy arose largely from ideas and
    institutions that developed during the European Middle Ages and the Age of Enlightenment and in
    the American and French Revolutions.[20] Democracy has been called the "last form of government"
    and has spread considerably across the globe.[21] The right to vote has been expanded in many
    Jurisdictions over time from relatively narrow groups (such as wealthy men of a particular ethnic
    group), with New Zealand the first nation to grant universal suffrage for all its citizens in 1893.

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