What is Democracy ?

Democracy is a system of government in which the citizens exercise power directly or elect representatives from among themselves to form a governing body, such as a parliament. It is also referred as “rule of the majority”. Here the power can’t be inherited. People elect their leaders. Representatives stand in an election and the citizens vote for their representative. The representative with the most number of votes gets the power.



History

The term “democracy” first appeared in ancient Greek political and philosophical thought in the city-state of Athens during the classical antiquity. The word comes from Greek word demos, “common people” and Kratos, strength. It was established in 508–507 BC by the Athenians and it was led by Cleisthenes. Cleisthenes is also known as the ”the father of Athenian democracy”.

How Does Democracy work?

One of the tenets of democracy is that all members of the society must be equal. For it to function, this equality must be present in the individual vote. Denying groups the right to vote is contrary to the function of a democracy, a system of government where each individual’s vote has equal weight. The U.S. system of government is a republic, a type of democracy in which elected officials carry out the will of the people.

Democracy in India

India is the world’s largest democracy.  India became a democratic nation post its independence in the year 1947. Thereafter, the citizens of India were given the right to vote and elect their leaders. In India, it gives its citizens the right to vote irrespective of their caste, color, creed, religion, and gender. It has five democratic principles – sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic and republic.

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