What is the meaning of this term that so profoundly affects our way of life. In modern times, those forms of government in which all full, adult members of a society or organization make up the policymaking body direct democracy or are represented by others who they elect to such a body representative democracy. The word democracy has its roots in the greek term demokratia, meaning rule by the people demos means people and kratos means rule. Democracy is a system of government where citizens are allowed to participate in the proposal and creation of laws. Definition of democracy august 1, 1858 lincolns writings.
Meaning of democracy democracy may be defined as a system of government in which the exercise of political power and authority is vested in the people through their elected representatives. In principle at least, democracy is committed to the equality of all individuals. It is difficult to reach a consensus on the definition of. In 1215, english nobles pressured king john of england to sign a document known as the magna carta, a key step on the road to constitutional democracy. A tradition of hostility to faction, and particular interests persists in democratic thought, but at least since the federalist papers it has become widely accepted that competition among factions is. Real democracy demands social equality rather than merely the right to vote.
A democracy is a type of government or political system ruled by citizens, people who are members of a society. As i would not want my chance to rise in life obstructed, so i would not want to obstruct the chance of others to rise. Mar 02, 2020 democracy countable and uncountable, plural democracies uncountable rule by the people, especially as a form of government. Democracy is a system of government that bases its legitimacy on the participation of the people. Democracy may be defined as a system of government in which the exercise of political power and authority is vested in the people through their elected representatives. Other definitions of it arise precisely because there is a difference between the real or essential meaning of democracy and the actual practice of democracy that leads to nominal and operational definitions. In order for these principles to be authentic, every eligible citizen must have equal access to the legislative process, and the legal system.
The book introduced the term industrial democracy to the social sciences, which has since gained a different meaning in modern industrial relations. Democratic government definition of democratic government. Democratic government synonyms, democratic government pronunciation, democratic government translation, english dictionary definition of democratic government. Democracy definition of democracy by the free dictionary. Aristotle definition of democracy, it is the rule of mob and condemns it. Participatory democracy definition of participatory.
Popular conceptions of the meaning of democracy escholarship. The governing body was composed of the countrys most powerful aristocracy. Jul 08, 2016 the primary characteristics of democracy include political freedom, rule of law, and legal equality. And the essential value and power of democracy consists in this,that it combines, as far as possible, power and organization. By doing so, the king acknowledged he was bound by law, like others, and granted his subjects legal rights.
Democratization, process through which a political regime becomes democratic. Social democracy definition is a political movement advocating a gradual and peaceful transition from capitalism to socialism by democratic means. The basic concept for the democracy ranking of the quality. If his definition of democracy is restated as follows, it still remains questionable political theory, but it will express his meaning in more accurate terms. It is a political system in which people not monarchs king or queens or aristocracies like lords rule. Government of the people, by the people, for the people democracy is by far the most challenging form of government both for politicians and for the people. The definition of democracy is a form of government in which the common people hold political power and can rule either directly or through elected representatives. However, the main idea of democracy is widely accepted to have originated from athens in the 5 th century bc. Throughout history, different places have had different. Democracy is a complex and contested concept, as a result there will always be differences of opinion, despite some considerable convergence on a core definition. What is democracy, definition and types of democracy. Government of the people, by the people, for the people. But democracies can be defined as parliamentary, jacksonian, liberal, social and other types. The real world of political economy sets the limits to democracy and equality.
A constitutional government exists in a democracy and power of the leader is checked and restrained. Democratization, the process through which a political regime becomes democratic. If people focus on the goals of democratic government, this would produce different definitions of democracy. Citizens hold some level of power and authority, and they participate actively in. Democracy is by far the most challenging form of government both for politicians and for the people. The definition may seem a little formal or even forbid ding, but in view. Democracy article about democracy by the free dictionary. Heymann abstract i was asked to speak about corruption and democracy. The explosive spread of democracy around the world beginning in the mid20th century radically transformed the international political landscape from one in which democracies were the exception to one in which they were the rule. Democracy definition of democracy by merriamwebster. Democracy has only one real or essential definition. The concept of democracy it is difficult to reach a consensus on the definition of democracy.
As to its nature, aristotle defined democracy as rule by the people greek demokratia. Government of the people democracy may be a word familiar to most, but it is a concept still misunderstood and misused in a time when totalitarian regimes and military dictatorships alike have attempted to claim popular support by pinning democratic labels upon themselves. Of all the definitions of democracy perhaps the best and most popular definition is the following. The subject of corruption and democracy is best broken into three separate areas. A simple definition let us get back to our discussion on similarities and differences among governments that are called democracies. While democratic governments come in many varieties, they are uniformly characterized by 1 competitive elections, 2 the principle of political and legal equality, and 3 a high degree of individual freedom, or civil liberties. Key words, democracy, politics, dissent, mass media, democratization process. The basic concept for the democracy ranking of the quality of. Democracy is a system of government by which political sovereignty is retained by the people and exercised directly by citizens.
Finally, the paper would proffer possible solutions and make necessary recommendations that would help deepen true democratic culture in nigeria. Under such conditions, democracy, equality and political rights stood no chance. A reconceptualization of the quality of democracy a. A tradition of hostility to faction, and particular interests persists in democratic thought, but at least since the federalist papers it has become widely accepted that competition among factions is a neces. Democracy is a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives constitutional democracy can be defined as a system of government in which there are clear limits of political authorities, and the electorate has the power to remove poor performing governments constitutional democracy is the type of democracy where. Democracy is a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives constitutional democracy can be defined as a system of government in which there are clear limits of political authorities, and the electorate has the power to remove poor performing governments. However, today, as in the past, the most common form of democracy, whether for a town of 50,000 or a nation of 50 million, is representative democracy, in which citizens some local jurisdictions in the united states. To explore this concept, consider the following democracy definition. Social democracy definition of social democracy by. In short democracy is that form of government in which sovereignty remains in the hands of the entire nation, which can make and unmake the government. Additionally, this reconceptualization is informed by three considerations. Put together, the literal denotation of democracy is rule by.
Democracy, which derives from the greek word demos, or people, is defined, basi cally, as government in which the supreme power is vested in the people. Liberal democracy definition and meaning collins english. Satisfaction with democracy meaning and measurements there is a rich literature on both within and between country factors that affects citizens satisfaction with democracy and the way democracy works for an overview, see cutler et. Social democracy definition of social democracy by merriam. Its meaning and dissenting opinions of the political. Interest in democratization is due in part to the association between democracy and many important positive outcomes, including respect for human rights, economic prosperity, and security. Definition of liberal democracy in the definitions. Democracy is a system of government in which people choose their rulers by voting for. Democracy is a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives. In the previous chapter we identified one simple factor common to all democracies. Information and translations of liberal democracy in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web.
Most definitions of democracy focus on qualities, procedures and institutions. The term government is used to refer to the executive and other office. Precisely stated, democracy is the rule by the people. Other definitions of it arise precisely because there is a difference between the real or essential meaning of. Democracy the term has three basic senses in contemporary usage. The increased interest in democratization among academics, policy makers, and activists. Seelay defined it as a government in which every one has a share.
Definition of development the term development has various meanings to different people and can be explained in different contexts. Democracy definition and meaning collins english dictionary. Democracy entails a political community in which there is some form of political equality among the people. Abraham lincoln defined democracy as the government of the people, by the people and for the people. It is called the government of the people, by the people and for the people. I have a long history of concern about that relationship. First, there are questions of corruption that have no special relationship to democracy at all. Democracy law and legal definition democracy is a political system where the legitimacy of exercising power stems from consent of people. Participatory democracy definition, individual participation by citizens in political decisions and policies that affect their lives, especially directly rather than through elected representatives. Democracy may be defined by its inherent nature and by its empirical conditions. And is not listening to the alternatives and weighing their respective merits and demerits. Meaning of democracy democracy is a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives. The fall of the empire was followed by chaos and anarchy.
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