What is Democracy? What is the Meaning of Democracy? What is Direct Democracy?

June 27, 2022

What is Democracy? What is the Meaning of Democracy? What is Direct Democracy?

There are many types of Government Systems or Political Systems around the world including Democratic governments and Non-democratic governments. These Government Systems are known as Democracy, Republic, Monarchy, Communism, Dictatorship, etc.. In this article, we will talk about Democracy or what is Democracy?

What is Democracy?

In simple words, Democracy is a form of Government where rulers are elected by the people on the basis of adult franchise. These rulers are elected by a free and fair election where every adult citizen has one vote with equal value and those rulers who are currently in power have a fair chance of losing.

Features of Democracy

Currently, democracy is the most prevailing form of government worldwide due to its vibrant features for welfare of its citizen. People like this form of government because in Democracy, they have the choice to choose their rulers by themselves. The main features of democracy are as under:

Rulers are elected by the people. People have the choice to choose their rulers by themselves.

Final decision-making power rests with the rulers who are elected by the people.

The rulers are elected by a free and fair election where all adult people (citizens) vote to elect the rulers.

Each adult citizen has one vote and every vote has the same value.

Democratic governments rule according to the constitution within limits set by the constitution.

Rulers, currently in power, have a fair chance of losing and people have a choice to choose their new ruler.

These features make democracy a very acceptable and popular form of government worldwide.

Is this a Democratic Country?

Many countries in the world have a democratic form of government but we can say that these types of governments are not purely democratic governments. For example, Mexico holds elections after every six years to elect its President since its independence in 1930. But until 2000 every year election was won by Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). The PRI was known to use many dirty tricks to win elections and thus opposition parties never win. Should we consider the above-described elections as an example of people electing their rulers?

What is Direct Democracy?

Direct democracy or pure democracy is a form of democracy in which people (electorate) directly decide on policy initiatives. This differs from the majority of currently established democracies which are basically representative democracies.