what is democracy and what does it mean to you?

Answer 1

Democracy is the ability for all people, regardless of colour, race, wealth, or power, to have a direct say in their government--through voting.

To me, it is my country, the USA. Millions have lost their lives to give me this democracy, and I, therefore, should use my power to vote whenever I can, and voice my opinion.

Answer 2

The term democracy indicates a form of government where all the state's decisions are exercised directly or indirectly by a majority of its citizenry through a fair elective process. When these factors are met a government can be classified as such. This can apply to a multitude of government systems as these concepts transcend and often occur concomitantly with other types.

The word democracy was coined in ancient Greece. Although Athenian democracy is today considered by many to have been a form of direct democracy, originally it had two distinguishing features: firstly the allotment (selection by lot) of ordinary citizens to government offices and courts, and secondarily the assembly of all the citizens. In theory, all the Athenian citizens were eligible to speak and vote in the Assembly, which set the laws of the city-state, but neither political rights, nor citizenship, were granted to women, slaves, or metics. Of the 250,000 inhabitants only some 30,000 on average were citizens. Of those 30,000 perhaps 5,000 might regularly attend one or more meetings of the popular Assembly. Most of the officers and magistrates of Athenian government were allotted; only the generals (strategoi) and a few other officers were elected.

The Roman Republic had elections but again women, slaves, and the large foreign population were excluded. The votes of the wealthy were given more weight and almost all high officials come from a few noble families.Democratic principles and elements have also been argued for the Mahajanapadas of ancient India, and also in the local Sanghas, Ganas and Panchayats that existed throughout the centuries in India. However, political rights were to some extent a representative of social class and in particular the caste system. In these republics, power was typically vested in the hands of an elite class, and so the system would perhaps be better classified as an oligarchy. In the case of the village panchayats, the picture is somewhat more democratic. A panchayat in essence is a meeting of townspeople mediated by a group of village elders, and so it is an example of a direct democracy.

Democracy was also seen to a certain extent in bands and tribes such as the Iroquois Confederacy. However, in the Iroquois Confederacy only the males of certain clans could be leaders and some clans were excluded. Only the oldest females from the same clans could choose and remove the leaders. This excluded most of the population. An interesting detail is that there should be consensus among the leaders, not majority support decided by voting, when making decisions.

In Democracy we have every right as a citizen,but it should be mis-used.
..all the best.

Answer 3

Democracy means " Freedom". In a democratic state, the people was given the right to choose and vote for the right person in a government position. The right was vested to the people. They have the right to put people in a position,but, they have also a right to remove the person from that position thru empeachment. But, sometimes, democracy was abused and overused by some people for their own interest.

Answer 4

Democracy is for the people by the people.-mutual benefits to all involved.It means ALL ARE EQUAL.This is ideal picture.
In practise all are not equals,some are more equals.Only few have fruits of democracy

Answer 5

My ancestor was Simon de Montfort, who established the first English Parliament in 1264 ce.The English Parliament is the model for our Congress. His father, also Simon, and a group of Barons wrote the Magna Carta. The Magna Carta is the basis of our Constitution. It gave the common people of England rights not to be arrested by the King's sheriffs for the first time in Western History. Before that, the common people had no rights at all. My ancestor was brutally murdered by Prince Edward I in 1265. A marble relief of Simon de Montfort resides over one of the doors of our Capitol Rotunda, because of what he did. We as Americans, need to realise that Democracy is not easily wrought. Many have died in defense of it. We should be willing to do the same.

Answer 6

democracy is power of people , which gives them a right to choose that person who Will lead them, and also to change the system
but it works only when u are in a unity
make Ur social field as much big u can

Answer 7

Democracy is about the free flow of ideas and information. It means having a market economy where your ideas can be transformed into products and services to solve problems for the advancement of humanity. It means bringing resources to people who need them while maintaining respect for our environment.

Answer 8

Democracy is the tool which empowers people to stand up to evil...And well,in a democratic country,you are free to pursue whatever you wish...you can say whatever you like without getting executed.....That's what's the greatest power of democracy...

Answer 9

Democracy means a process of arriving at decisions for and on behalf of the members of a group / organization / country/ nation by which the freely expressed majority opinions and views get reflected and implemented after a debate over the the merits/ demerits and analysis of the probable consequences and risks of alternative decisions arising from different points of views and opinions including those of the minority. It is very dear to me provided that there is unrestricted scope for explicit expressions of free opinions/ views by each without any co-coercion pressures, allurement to support any particular view, there is scope for analysis of consequences and risks of alternative decisions based on differing views/opinions and opportunity for debate and allowing every one to revise his/her views/opinions after each one has been given the opportunity to examine the analysis and observed the debates.
Just majority decision is no democracy: it is crude herd power. Democracy is not meant to elect despotic rulers by vote. First test of democracy is that there is no scope for despotism and control by the elected rulers to interfere with individual freedom and enterprise.

Answer 10

Democracy is a huge power.
Understand and control it the way u want - Disorder - like USA.
No understand,No control - Disorder like INDIA.
Good Luck..Loga