# democracy

Pronunciation: say "di-MOK-ruh-see" US /dɪˈmɑ.kɹə.si/, UK /dɪˈmɒk.ɹə.si/, AUS /dɪˈmɔk.ɹə.si/

## Noun

1. Rule by the people as a form of government, exercised either directly or through elected representatives.
   - Simple: A way of running a country where the people choose their leaders by voting, or make decisions themselves.
   - _A healthy democracy depends on citizens being free to vote and speak._
   - _Some thinkers argue that direct democracy works best in small communities._
2. A country in which the people govern directly or choose their representatives by voting.
   - Simple: A country whose government is chosen by its people through voting.
   - _Switzerland is often described as a democracy with strong local control._
   - _Several young democracies in the region struggled with corruption after independence._
3. A government in which power rests with the people it governs, exercised either directly or through representatives they elect.
   - Simple: A government that is run by the people of a place, either directly or through people they elect.
   - _The colony eventually became a democracy with an elected assembly._
   - _Critics argued the new democracy concentrated too much power in the legislature._
4. Belief in political freedom and equality, the animating spirit that values self-government and equal rights.
   - Simple: A strong belief in political freedom and treating all people as equal.
   - _The movement was driven by a deep faith in democracy and human equality._
   - _Her speeches breathed the spirit of democracy, calling for both freedom and fairness._

## Origin

It comes from Ancient Greek dēmokratĭā, made from parts meaning 'people' plus 'rule', and reached English through Medieval Latin dēmocratia and Middle French democratie.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/democracy (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).