Democracy is a system of government in which the right to rule is held by the people. It was first developed in the 5th century BC in Greek city-states, notably Classical Athens. Unlike autocracies and oligarchies, which existed at the time, it allowed all adult citizens to participate in governance, either directly or through elected representatives. Democracy is valued for promoting political stability, allowing peaceful transfers of power and providing mechanisms for redressing grievances and injustices. It is not an easy system to implement, however. Even when democracies do exist, they often struggle to live up to their ideals.
The word ‘democracy’ is derived from the Greek words demos (“people”) and kratos (“rule”). It literally means “rule of the people”, in contrast to dictatorship, where a single individual or small group has complete control. Democracies can take many forms, including presidential and parliamentary systems, majority and proportional voting, federalism and unitary states, and different models of representation and decision-making.
Freedom of thought, conscience and religion (UDHR, Article 18) is an essential element in a democracy. This right, which allows people to think whatever they want, is vital because a society that can’t tolerate other opinions limits its own potential to evolve in new and potentially improved directions. Democracy also requires freedom of expression (UDHR, Article 19), as a way for citizens to discuss their ideas with each other and present them in the media. Unless people can talk about their views, it is impossible for them to take part in government.