Democracy
Government by citizens
Democracy is government by the people, typically through elected representatives.
The core idea is that political power derives from citizens rather than monarchs, aristocrats, or dictators.
Democratic systems vary widely—from direct democracy where citizens vote on policies to representative democracy where they choose leaders.
The word often carries positive connotations of fairness and freedom: a threat to democracy, fighting for democracy.
Something done democratically distributes power or opportunity broadly: The team made decisions democratically.
Greece's capital city
- WestminsterLondon's political center
- suffragettesFemale voting-rights activists
- Magna CartaCharter curbing royal authority
- apartheidRacial separation policy
Arab Spring · Velvet Revolution · decolonization · authoritarianism · dictatorship · coup · regime change · transition
State with elected leaders
- parliamentNational legislative assembly
- legislatureLawmaking governmental branch
- constitutionInherent physical or structural makeup
- electionsFormal choosing of officials
voting · representation · sovereignty · self-rule · deliberation · referendum · ballot · franchise
Judicial bodies or playing areas
- parliamentNational legislative assembly
- senateLegislative governing body
- judiciaryLaw-interpreting government branch
- electoral commissionBody overseeing public ballots
political parties · free press · civil society · ombudsman · oversight · transparency · accountability · term limits
Formally registering a choice
- activismDirect effort for reform
- engagementCommitment to wed or attend
- turnoutNumber attending an event
- canvassingSystematic direct voter outreach
grassroots · protest · petition · town hall · civic duty · organizing · mobilization · advocacy
Absence of constraint
- equalitySame status for all
- libertyAbsence of unjust constraint
- rightsJustified claims to freedoms
- pluralismCoexistence of differing views
liberalism · self-determination · emancipation · popular sovereignty · egalitarianism · consent · legitimacy · social contract
Athens
Greece's capital city
- WestminsterLondon's political center
- suffragettesFemale voting-rights activists
- Magna CartaCharter curbing royal authority
apartheid · Arab Spring · Velvet Revolution · decolonization · authoritarianism · dictatorship · coup · regime change · transition · consolidation
republic
State with elected leaders
- parliamentNational legislative assembly
- legislatureLawmaking governmental branch
- constitutionInherent physical or structural makeup
elections · voting · representation · sovereignty · self-rule · deliberation · referendum · ballot · franchise · assembly
courts
Judicial bodies or playing areas
- parliamentNational legislative assembly
- senateLegislative governing body
- judiciaryLaw-interpreting government branch
electoral commission · political parties · free press · civil society · ombudsman · oversight · transparency · accountability · term limits · independent media
voting
Formally registering a choice
- activismDirect effort for reform
- engagementCommitment to wed or attend
- turnoutNumber attending an event
canvassing · grassroots · protest · petition · town hall · civic duty · organizing · mobilization · advocacy · volunteering
freedom
Absence of constraint
pluralism · liberalism · self-determination · emancipation · popular sovereignty · egalitarianism · consent · legitimacy · social contract · enlightenment
Democracydictatorship
Unchecked single-ruler government
autocracy · tyranny · authoritarianism · totalitarianism · despotism
Democracytyranny
Oppressive, absolute governance
totalitarianism · oppression · repression · absolutism · unfreedom
Democracyautocracy
Rule by one
anarchy · mob rule · dictatorship · rule by decree · command structure
- democratic processesMethods for collective governance
- democratic controlCollective citizen authority over governance
- democratic representationElected officials serving constituents
- democratic governanceSystem where citizens hold power
- democratic electionsVoting by the populace
- democratic societyPolity ruled by citizens
democrat, democratic, democratize, democratization, democratically, antidemocratic, undemocratic