democracy

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   Rule by the people, especially as a form of government

   Rule by the people, especially as a form of government; either directly or through elected representatives (representative democracy).

   • And the essential value and power of Democracy consists in this,—that it combines, as far as possible, power and organization ; THE SPIRIT, MANHOOD, is at one with THE BODY, ORGANIZATION. [....] Democracy is Government by the People.
   • The period, that is, which marks the transition from absolutism or aristocracy to democracy will mark also the transition from absolutist or autocratic methods of nomination to democratic methods.
2. 2

   A government under the direct or representative rule of the people of its jurisdiction.

   • Of course, the Russians think it is something else because they say the Russians have a democracy and it is plain that their government is not what the Americans regard as a democracy.
   • Since the wisest and most moral would not necessarily be the choice of the majority of people, Plato's Republic is not a democracy.
   • In 1900 not a single country had what we would today consider a democracy: a government created by elections in which every adult citizen could vote.
3. 3

   A state with a democratic system of government.

   • After almost four decades of authoritarian rule, South Africa became a democracy in April 1994.
   • The United States was founded as a republic, not a democracy.
4. ›+ 2 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      Belief in political freedom and equality

      Belief in political freedom and equality; the "spirit of democracy".

      • As states of the human spirit democracy, righteousness, and faith have much in common and may be cultivated by the same means...
      • The spirit of democracy means, above all, liberty of choice for human beings... democracy, in both its individual and collective forms, is the main engine of the eternal human striving for justice and prosperity.
   2. 5

      The Democratic Party.

      • I so adopt it because it furnishes a precise and an agreed starting point for a discussion between Republicans and that wing of the Democracy headed by Senator Douglas.

The neighborhood

• synonymdemocratism
• neighbordemocrat
• neighbordemocratic