What does democracy mean?
Democracy is a noun denoting a system of government in which ultimate authority rests with the people, whether they govern directly — as in ancient Athenian assemblies — or indirectly through elected representatives, as in modern parliamentary and presidential systems. The word derives from Greek roots meaning 'people' and 'power', and it also extends beyond politics to describe any organization run by its members rather than by a small elite, as well as the broader ideal of social equality and respect for individual rights. Democracy carries strongly positive connotations in contemporary usage, frequently appearing alongside words such as liberal, flourishing, or fragile to characterize the health of political systems. Its antonyms include autocracy, dictatorship, and tyranny. Because debates about what genuinely counts as democratic are central to political life, the term remains one of the most consequential and frequently invoked words in public discourse.
A system of government in which power is held by the people, exercised either directly or through freely elected representatives.
"Athens is often cited as the birthplace of democracy."
In political science, distinguished into direct and representative forms.
A state or society governed democratically; also the principle of social equality and member control within organizations.
"The new democracies of Eastern Europe faced enormous economic challenges."
Used chiefly when referring to multiple democratic states or systems; the singular is standard when discussing democracy as an abstract concept.
"Mature democracies tend to have strong independent judiciaries."
The word 'democracy' was coined in ancient Greece from demos ('people') and kratos ('power') — and for centuries afterwards, most thinkers treated it as an insult, not an ideal.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of democracy
Democracy comes from the ancient Greek dēmokratia, formed from dēmos ('the people') and kratos ('power' or 'rule'), and entered English via French in the sixteenth century. It originally described the direct self-government practiced in classical Athens, though Greek writers themselves often used it pejoratively. Related English words sharing the dēmos root include demography and pandemic.
Related word forms
How democracy is actually used
Formal to neutral register. Often used with evaluative adjectives (thriving, fragile, nascent) reflecting its strong positive connotation. In political science, 'direct' and 'representative' democracy are distinguished. Plural 'democracies' is common when referring to multiple democratic states.
Easily confused with democracy
A demagogue is a leader who gains power by appealing to popular desires and prejudices, whereas democracy is the system of rule by the people itself.
A republic is a state with an elected head of state rather than a monarch, while democracy refers specifically to rule by the people; many states are both, but the terms are not identical.