What Is Democracy?
Democracy is the form of government ruled by the people, literally meaning “people’s power”. It is an ideal that can only be realized in practice if a broad range of people contribute to society. This requires compromise and a sense of mutual obligation. It also requires a government that is capable of delivering services and being transparent and accountable to its citizens.
The word itself, demokratia, derives from the Greek words demos (people) and kratos (rule). Demos reflects the idea of a people with its own power, while kratos refers to the rule of a sovereign or powerful city-state. Today, we often use it to describe the kind of government that combines participatory citizenship with the idea that the people hold ultimate power in their own hands. It also means a government that respects and protects the rights of its citizens, and that allows them to change their governments.
There are many different definitions of democracy, but most include some combination of the following:
1. Freedom to think and act as one wishes, within the bounds of the law. This includes the right to free speech, and the freedom to believe in whatever religion or philosophy of life one chooses. It is important to note that governments throughout history have tried to limit this right because they fear that others might discover other forms of government, but such attempts are in direct conflict with the essence of a democracy.
2. Justice for all. This includes equal treatment, fair trials, and protection from cruel or inhuman punishment. It also includes the ability to seek redress for grievances and the right to a public record of all actions taken by government and private institutions. 3. A commitment to the rule of law, including the right to an independent judiciary and a constitutionally limited executive branch, in order to protect individual liberty. 4. The right to education. This includes a guarantee that children are not denied access to education, and the ability for citizens to make informed decisions about their own lives and their futures. 5. The right to vote and participate in political activity. This includes a right to vote in elections, and the ability to participate in a variety of ways, including protests, petitions, and lobbying.
The survival of democracy depends on a complex web of factors, but there is strong evidence that economic growth, as measured by per capita income, and the level of educational achievement among the population are crucial to its viability. Democracy also seems to be more likely in societies where women are well educated.
In addition to domestic politics, democracy is an increasingly globalized concept. Many international organizations, corporations, and non-governmental organisations are now experimenting with democratic principles. These experiments are testing whether democracy can work in new contexts, and in a world where the globalization of economic life is creating new demands for transparency and participation in decision-making. Despite these challenges, there is no doubt that the principles of democracy remain an essential ingredient in the struggle for human freedom and social justice.
Democracy is the form of government ruled by the people, literally meaning “people’s power”. It is an ideal that can only be realized in practice if a broad range of people contribute to society. This requires compromise and a sense of mutual obligation. It also requires a government that is capable of delivering services and being transparent and accountable to its citizens. The word itself, demokratia, derives from the Greek words demos (people) and kratos (rule). Demos reflects the idea of a people with its own power, while kratos refers to the rule of a sovereign or powerful city-state. Today, we often use it to describe the kind of government that combines participatory citizenship with the idea that the people hold ultimate power in their own hands. It also means a government that respects and protects the rights of its citizens, and that allows them to change their governments. There are many different definitions of democracy, but most include some combination of the following: 1. Freedom to think and act as one wishes, within the bounds of the law. This includes the right to free speech, and the freedom to believe in whatever religion or philosophy of life one chooses. It is important to note that governments throughout history have tried to limit this right because they fear that others might discover other forms of government, but such attempts are in direct conflict with the essence of a democracy. 2. Justice for all. This includes equal treatment, fair trials, and protection from cruel or inhuman punishment. It also includes the ability to seek redress for grievances and the right to a public record of all actions taken by government and private institutions. 3. A commitment to the rule of law, including the right to an independent judiciary and a constitutionally limited executive branch, in order to protect individual liberty. 4. The right to education. This includes a guarantee that children are not denied access to education, and the ability for citizens to make informed decisions about their own lives and their futures. 5. The right to vote and participate in political activity. This includes a right to vote in elections, and the ability to participate in a variety of ways, including protests, petitions, and lobbying. The survival of democracy depends on a complex web of factors, but there is strong evidence that economic growth, as measured by per capita income, and the level of educational achievement among the population are crucial to its viability. Democracy also seems to be more likely in societies where women are well educated. In addition to domestic politics, democracy is an increasingly globalized concept. Many international organizations, corporations, and non-governmental organisations are now experimenting with democratic principles. These experiments are testing whether democracy can work in new contexts, and in a world where the globalization of economic life is creating new demands for transparency and participation in decision-making. Despite these challenges, there is no doubt that the principles of democracy remain an essential ingredient in the struggle for human freedom and social justice.