Democracy

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What is democracy?

The word democracy comes from the Greek words “demos“, meaning people, and “kratos” meaning power; so democracy can be thought of as “power of the people”.

Democracy is a form of government in which the rulers are elected by the people.

So, we called the government of the people, by the people, and for the people.

All the people do not rule. A majority is allowed to take decisions on behalf of all the people. Even the majority does not rule directly. The majority of people rule through their elected representatives.  

India is the largest democratic country in the world.

Apart from India – Canada, Australia, Denmark, Germany, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, United Kingdom, etc…

Nondemocratic countries

The army rule of Myanmar was not elected by the people, So Myanmar is a non-democratic country.  

The king of Saudi Arabia rules not because the people have chosen them to do so but because they happen to be born into the royal family, so Saudi Arabia is a non-democratic country.

How do people choose their government?

Democracy is performed by a free and fair election.

There is no discrimination in voting and each adult citizen must have one vote and each vote must have one value.

Features of democracy.

  1. Democracy is a form of government in which the rulers are elected by the people.
  2. Democracy must be based on a free and fair election where those currently in power have a fair chance of losing.
  3. In a democracy, each adult citizen must have one vote and each vote must have one value.
  4. A democratic government rules within limits set by constitutional law and citizens’ rights.
  5. A democratic government is a better government because it is a more accountable form of government.

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