Democracy

Definition

Democracy is a political system where power is vested in the people, who exercise that power directly or through elected representatives. This form of governance emphasizes individual rights, equality, and the rule of law, allowing citizens to participate in decision-making processes. Democracies can take various forms, including direct democracy, where citizens vote on laws and policies themselves, and representative democracy, where they elect officials to make those decisions on their behalf.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Democracy promotes political equality by ensuring that all citizens have an equal voice in governance, typically through voting.
2. In a representative democracy, elected officials are accountable to their constituents and can be removed from office through elections.
3. The concept of democracy has evolved over time, influenced by historical events like the American and French Revolutions, which emphasized individual rights and popular sovereignty.
4. Many democracies incorporate checks and balances among different branches of government to prevent any one entity from gaining too much power.
5. The health of a democracy can be measured through factors such as voter turnout, freedom of press, and the protection of civil liberties.

Review Questions

• How does democracy ensure political equality among citizens?
  • Democracy ensures political equality by providing every citizen with the right to vote, allowing them to have a say in how they are governed. This equal participation means that each individual's vote carries the same weight, promoting fairness in decision-making processes. Additionally, democracies often protect civil liberties, which further reinforces the concept that all voices are valued and must be heard.
• Discuss the differences between direct democracy and representative democracy in terms of citizen involvement.
  • In direct democracy, citizens have the opportunity to vote directly on laws and policies, meaning their involvement is immediate and personal. In contrast, representative democracy requires citizens to elect representatives who then make decisions on their behalf. While both systems aim to involve citizens in governance, direct democracy allows for more direct participation, whereas representative democracy may enable more informed decision-making by elected officials.
• Evaluate the impact of civil liberties on the functioning of a democracy and how they contribute to citizen engagement.
  • Civil liberties play a critical role in the functioning of a democracy by ensuring that individuals have fundamental rights that protect them from government overreach. These liberties—such as freedom of speech, assembly, and religion—encourage citizen engagement by providing the space for open discussion and debate about political issues. When citizens feel secure in expressing their opinions without fear of reprisal, they are more likely to participate actively in democratic processes, thus strengthening the overall health and responsiveness of the democratic system.

Related terms

Republic: A form of government in which the country is considered a 'public matter,' and officials are accountable to the public and must govern according to existing constitutional law that limits government power over citizens.

Totalitarianism: A political system where the state recognizes no limits to its authority and seeks to regulate every aspect of public and private life.

Civil Liberties: Fundamental individual rights protected from government interference, including freedom of speech, assembly, and religion.