What does democratise mean?
Democratise means to make something democratic — that is, open to participation and control by ordinary people rather than confined to a small elite. In its primary sense, it applies to political life: countries democratise when they adopt free elections, broaden voting rights, and distribute power more evenly across society. The word has also expanded well beyond politics, becoming especially common in discussions of technology and culture. We say that the internet democratised publishing, that streaming democratised access to films, or that low-cost tools democratised design — meaning these things became available to everyone rather than a privileged few. The verb carries a strongly positive connotation of openness, fairness, and empowerment, though it can occasionally be used critically, implying that wider access came at the cost of quality. British spelling uses an 's' (democratise), while American English prefers a 'z' (democratize). Its noun form is democratisation.
verbTo make a system, organization, or process democratic — that is, subject to popular participation and control. More broadly, to make something accessible to or usable by everyone, rather than restricted to a privileged few.
- To make a political system, institution, or organization more democratic, giving power or influence to the general population.
- To make something (such as technology, knowledge, or services) accessible to everyone, not just an elite group.
"The internet helped democratise access to information once held only by libraries and experts."
"Reformers campaigned for decades to democratise the country's electoral system."
"Smartphones have democratise photography, putting capable cameras in nearly every pocket."
The word 'democracy' comes from Greek for 'rule by the people' — so every time you 'democratise' something, you're literally handing it to the people.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of democratise
Democratise derives from 'democracy', which comes from the Greek demokratia, formed from demos ('the people') and kratos ('power' or 'rule'). The verb was formed by adding the suffix '-ise' to 'democratic', following the pattern of other '-ise' verbs like 'modernise'. It entered English around the late eighteenth or early nineteenth century, during an era of political upheaval when debates about popular sovereignty made such a verb useful. It shares its Greek root with related terms such as 'demographic', which also involves the demos, or people.
Related word forms
How democratise is actually used
'Democratise' is the standard British spelling; American English uses 'democratize'. The word carries a broadly positive connotation of openness and fairness, though critics sometimes use it ironically when 'democratising' leads to oversimplification or loss of quality.
Easily confused with democratise
A demagogue is a leader who gains power by appealing to popular emotions and prejudices, whereas to democratise is to make something more democratic or widely accessible.