Democracy
lit. “rule by the people”
A system of government in which power rests with the citizens, either directly or through elected representatives.
Origin
The word comes from Greek dēmos ('people') and kratos ('rule'). Ancient Athens (around 508 BCE) practiced direct democracy — adult male citizens voted personally on laws, juries, and war — though women, slaves, and foreigners (most of the population) were excluded. Modern democracy is overwhelmingly representative: citizens elect officials to vote on their behalf. The American and French Revolutions made it the dominant Western ideal in the 18th century; the 20th-century 'third wave' of democratization spread it to Southern Europe, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and parts of Africa and Asia.
Modern usage
The single most contested word in political vocabulary — every government, including authoritarian ones, claims to be 'a democracy.' 'Liberal democracy,' 'illiberal democracy,' 'democratic backsliding,' 'democracy index' are all standard phrases. Constantly invoked in arguments about voting rights, gerrymandering, and election integrity. Churchill's line — 'the worst form of government except for all the others' — gets quoted every election cycle.
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