Democracy is a form of government, a way of life, a goal or ideal, and a political philosophy. The term also refers to a country that has a democratic form of government. The word 'democracy' means the rule by the people. United States President Abraham Lincoln described such self-government as "government of the people, by the people, for the people." The citizens of a democracy take part in government either directly or indirectly.
In a direct democracy which is also called a pure democracy, the people meet in one place to make the laws for their community. Such democracy was practised in the ancient Greek city-state of Athens and exists today in the New England town meeting. Most modern democracy representative democracy. In large communities, cities, states, provinces, or countries-it is impossible for all the people to meet as a group. Instead, they elect a certain number of their fellow citizens to represent them in making decisions about laws and other matters.
An assembly of representatives may be called a council, a legislature, a parliament, or a congress. Government by the people through their freely elected representatives is sometimes called a republican government or a democratic republic. Many voting decisions in democracies are based on majority rule-that is, more than half the votes cast. A decision by plurality may be used when three or more candidates stand for election. A candidate with a plurality receives more votes than any other candidate, but does not necessarily have a majority of the votes. In several democracies, elections to legislative bodies are conducted according to proportional representation (af). Such representation awards a political party a percentage of seats in the legislature in proportion to its share of the total vote cast.
Throughout history, the most important aspects of the democratic way of life have been the principles of individual equality and freedom. Accordingly, citizens in a democracy should be entitled to equal protection of their persons, possessions, and rights; have equal opportunity to pursue their lives and careers; and have equal rights of political participation. In addition, the people should enjoy freedom from undue interference and domination (1) by government. They should be free, within the framework of the law, to believe, behave, and express themselves as they wish. Democratic societies seek to guarantee their citizens certain freedoms, including freedom of religion, freedom of the press, and freedom of speech. Ideally, citizens also should be guaranteed freedom of association and of assembly, freedom from arbitrary arrest and imprisonment, and freedom to work and live where and how they choose. Some people in democratic states have been eager to increase the role of government in society to make material conditions more equal for everyone.
The extension of government's role in such areas as welfare, education, employment, and housing may decrease the freedom of the people and subject them to too much government regulation. The division between these groups has helped furnish (f) one of the main themes of controversy and discussion in modern democratic societies.
