DEMOCRACY

INTRODUCTION:

The word ”democracy” comes from the Greek word demos, which means “common people”
and Kratos, which means strength. The term “democracy” first appeared in ancient Greek
political and philosophical thought in the city-state of Athens during the classical antiquity. It
was found in 508–507 BC by the Athenians and it was led by Cleisthenes. Cleisthenes is also
known as the ”the father of Athenian democracy”.

Democracy is a system of government in which the citizens exercise power directly or elect
representatives from among themselves to form a governing body, such as a parliament. It is
also known as ”rule of the majority”. The power can’t be inherited in democracy. People elect
their leaders. Representatives stand in an election and the citizens vote for their representative.
The representative with the most number of votes gets the power.

CHARACTERSITICS OF DEMOCRACY

Citizen Rule

A democratic government grants adult citizens the right to elect their representatives. It also
establishes clear guidelines for election cycles and term limits so that key positions are
contested at regular intervals. Through this process of voting, citizens are regularly given the
ability to hire or fire their representatives.

Majority Rule and Minority Rights

The principle of majority rule is an important part of the democratic system. The majority rules
in the election process, but individual rights are protected by the maintenance of decentralized,
local government bodies. In a democracy, all levels of government should be accessible to, and
representative of, the people.

Individual Rights:

Democracies value the protection of individual rights. The word freedom is used synonymously
with democracy to describe individual liberties afforded in this type of government. In the U.S.,
the Bill of Rights serves as a summary of individual liberties. Freedom of speech and religion,
protection from unlawful search and seizure and the right to bear arms are examples of
individual liberties, afforded in a democracy. Equal treatment, under the law, is assured for
everyone in a democratic society.
Free and Fair Elections:

The key to the exercise of democracy is the election process. Free and fair elections are held at
regular intervals for the election of representatives at all levels of government. In a free,
democratic election, all adult citizens are given the right to cast votes which, in theory, ensures
that the will of the people will be expressed.

Citizen Participation:

Citizens of a democracy not only have the right to vote, but also the responsibility to
participate. Informed participation is key in a democracy. When the people elect their
representatives, they are ensuring the preservation of the democratic process Engaged
citizenship is essential in a healthy democracy.

Cooperation and Compromise:

Democracies also value cooperation and compromise to protect individual rights. To adequately
safeguard diversity, and accurately represent all communities, a democracy must protect the
right to be different. Anti-discrimination is at the heart of a true democracy. The freedom to
assemble and voice opinion drives government accountability to ensure that underrepresented
people have the same rights as the majority.