what is democracy?

Answer 1

Democracy is all of the above, but more importantly it is the only form of polity (no people, that is not supposed to be policy, look it up) that possesses the ability to kill itself off - no other form of governance can replace itself with another form.......aristocracy, autocracy, despotism, dictatoriship, monarchy, oligarchy, single-party state, theocracy, tyranny - all are self-supportive but democracy allows you to vote for a new regime...

Answer 2

Democracy, is, literally, rule by the people (from the Greek demos, "people," and kratos, "rule"). The methods by which this rule is exercised, and indeed the composition of "the people" are central to various definitions of democracy, but the general principle is that of majority rule. Useful contrasts can be made with oligarchies and autocracies, where political authority is highly concentrated and not subject to meaningful control by the people. While the term democracy is often used in the context of a political state, the principles are also applicable to other areas of governance.