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Democracy is a word that is over 2500 years old. It comes from ancient Greece and means the power of the people. When democracy was first invented, in ancient Athens, the most stunning feature of this new form of government was that poor men were allowed to participate alongside rich men in determining the fate of the city: whether to go to war; how to distribute the proceeds from public silver mines; whether to put those convicted of treason to death.

In ancient Athens, all male citizens could gather together in the assembly to vote on issues of this kind. In ancient Rome,by contrast, the republic of Rome established a mixed regime in which some offices were held by the wealthy and some by representatives of the poor. Rather than throwing everyone together in a single decision-making group, the Romans tried to balance the interests of the rich and of the poor by giving them different roles in the political system.

Nonetheless, both Athens and Rome understood themselves to have built political systems that rested on the voice of the people and that secured the freedom of a body of free and equal citizens strong enough to protect themselves from outside sources of domination and also committed enough to the rule of law to protect all citizens from domination by one another.

The light went out for ancient democratic and republican forms of government respectively when Alexander the Great conquered Athens and when Julius Caesar overthrew the free Roman Republic and transformed it into an empire, headed by an emperor. Democracy would be revived, however, in Italian city-states in the early modern period and then in its modern form with the American Revolution in 1776.

The modern revival of democracy has brought us twelve key concepts that the ancients didnt have, or that vary significantly from their ancient variants. These are: (1) Consent of the Governed; (2) Free Elections; (3) Constitutional Limits; (4) Majority Rule, Minority Rights; (5) Transparency and Accountability; (6) Multiparty System; (7) Economic Freedom; (8) Rule of Law; (9) Human Rights; (10) Freedom of Expression; (11) Freedom of Association; and (12) Freedom of Religion.

Taken together, these twelve concepts are the building blocks of modern, representative democracies. Our democracies are too big for all citizens to gather together to decide questions of state and the public good. Instead, we have representation. We elect people, our representatives, to make those decisions for us. With every election, we hold our representatives to account. Have they taken the country in a general direction to which we consent? We ensure that our governments rest on the consent of the governed by routinely holding free and fair elections. To make these elections meaningful, we need transparency about what our representatives have done. Only if we know what they have done, can we hold them to account for their actions.

Why do we care that governments should rest on the consent of each and every one of us? Being human involves seeking to control ones life. Achieving that requires having a role in politics because political decisions have such a big impact on our life. The idea of human rights captures the notion that every human being ought to have a chance to control his or her own life, including through political participation. Of course, being able to control ones own life requires a lot more than just participating in politics. It also requires being able to spend time with those whom one chooses. It requires being able to express ones views and to develop ones beliefs as one chooses. This explains the importance of freedom of association, freedom of expression, and freedom of religion. Of course, its also important to point out that those freedomsto speak ones mind, to gather together with those whom one chooses, and to control ones own beliefsare necessary if one is going to participate politically. These freedoms give us the chance to control our private lives but they are also the necessary tools of political participation. Economic freedom-the freedom to control ones own propertyis equally necessary if one is going to control ones own life and ones public role.

Now, making it possible for people to control their own lives, both privately and in public through politics, is not merely a matter of listing some important rights that we hold up as ideals. We also have to build institutions that work to protect those rights. Modern democracy differs the most from the ancient variants in the kinds of institutions it has invented to secure these rights. Some of the key inventions include written constitutions that identify the powers of government and how they should be wielded as well as the limits on those powers; a recognition that constitutions need to protect minorities from the power held by majority voting blocs; and formal political parties with platforms that help citizens organize their disputes and contests with one another.

These basic building blocksan overarching goal of consent of the governed; a set of rights that give people the chance to control their own fates; and institutions whose purpose is to balance power so that it does remain, ultimately, in the hands of the peopleshow up again and again in democracies all over the world. But every democracy describes the overarching goal slightly differently; it establishes its own priorities among the rights, especially when they come into conflict; and it arranges its institutions to suit its own people. Nonetheless, by looking at many comparative cases of democracy, one can come to see how beneath the surface differences, they share a basic DNA, a combination of ideals and institutions that work to put power in the hands of ordinary people.

Danielle Allen is Director of the Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics at Harvard University and professor in Harvards Department of Government and Graduate School of Education. She is a political theorist who has published broadly in democratic theory, political sociology, and the history of political thought.

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Introduction: What Is Democracy? by Danielle Allen

Democracy comes from the Greek word, "demos," meaning people. In democracies, it is the people who hold sovereign power over legislator and government.

Although nuances apply to the world's various democracies, certain principles and practices distinguish democratic government from other forms of government.

Democracy is government in which power and civic responsibility are exercised by all citizens, directly or through their freely elected representatives.

Democracy is a set of principles and practices that protect human freedom; it is the institutionalization of freedom.

Democracy rests upon the principles of majority rule, coupled with individual and minority rights. All democracies, while respecting the will of the majority, zealously protect the fundamental rights of individuals and minority groups.

Democracies guard against all-powerful central governments and decentralize government to regional and local levels, understanding that local government must be as accessible and responsive to the people as possible.

Democracies understand that one of their prime functions is to protect such basic human rights as freedom of speech and religion; the right to equal protection under law; and the opportunity to organize and participate fully in the political, economic, and cultural life of society.

Democracies conduct regular free and fair elections open to all citizens. Elections in a democracy cannot be facades that dictators or a single party hide behind, but authentic competitions for the support of the people.

Democracy subjects governments to the rule of law and ensures that all citizens receive equal protection under the law and that their rights are protected by the legal system.

Democracies are diverse, reflecting each nation's unique political, social, and cultural life. Democracies rest upon fundamental principles, not uniform practices.

Citizens in a democracy not only have rights, they have the responsibility to participate in the political system that, in turn, protects their rights and freedoms.

Democratic societies are committed to the values of tolerance, cooperation, and compromise. Democracies recognize that reaching consensus requires compromise and that it may not always be attainable. In the words of Mahatma Gandhi, "intolerance is itself a form of violence and an obstacle to the growth of a true democratic spirit."

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Overview: What Is Democracy? Principles of Democracy

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Democracy Now! doesnt belong to any corporation, government or political party. Our daily news hour belongs to you, our listeners, viewers and readers. Youre the reason we exist. In these times of climate chaos, rising authoritarianism and war, Democracy Now! needs your help more than ever to hold the powerful to account and amplify the voices of the scholars, scientists, activists, artists and everyday people who are working to save democracyand the planet.Right now a generous donor will DOUBLE all donations to our daily news hour. That means your gift of $10 is worth $20 to Democracy Now! Please do your part to keep our independent journalism going strong. Every dollar counts. Thank you so much, and stay safe.-Amy Goodman

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Democracy is one of the most important aspects of a free and open society. It allows citizens to have a say in how they are governed, and it ensures that everyone has an equal voice. While it can be messy and chaotic at times, democracy is an essential part of maintaining a healthy, thriving society.

Democracy is what sets us apart from other countries and makes our country great. People fought for democracy and it is something that we should all appreciate. In this blog post, well discuss why democracy is important.

Democracy is important because it gives people a say in how they are governed. It also allows for discussion and debate on issues, which leads to better policies. Additionally, democracy allows for peaceful change, which is essential for progress. Finally, it helps to protect human rights and promote freedom.

Before democracy,dictatorship prevailedin almost all continents and countries. The few democracies that existed were very limited and did not apply to all citizens. Only a few people had political power, and the masses were disregarded and excluded from politics.

Democracy empowers people by giving them a voice in how they are governed. No longer are people forced to accept laws without their input, or subject to the whims of an autocratic ruler. Now everyone has a say in what goes on in government, which makes it harder for politicians and bureaucrats to act against the wishes of the population.

Democracy tries to achieve equal outcomes through equal representation. The idea is that all citizens should have the same number of votes regardless of their economic standing. Therefore,everyones interests are considered equallywhen policies are designed.

With everyone treated fairly, there is no room for any exploitation. No stereotypical norms bound the society from achieving its goals. It means there is an adequate conception of justice for all, allowing the society to achieve an equilibrium state.

Democracy promotes freedom directly through universal suffrage and indirectly by protecting human rights. Universal suffrage allows citizens to have a say in who makes decisions on their behalf, which means that politicians will consider their needs and wishes.

Moreover, an elected official has a strong incentive not to abuse his power because there is a possibility that they will be voted out of office the next time around. It reduces corruption and ensures well-designed policies.

However, its important to note that democracy alone does not ensure good government; a majority can vote for an oppressive leader.

A democratic system can be defined as a system of government in which the ruling power belongs to the people, who either choose their leaders or appoint them through voting. Hence there are typically severalbranches of government with overlapping powers.

For example, the executive president or prime minister initiates policies and administers the government with the help of his cabinet. However, he lacks absolute power because a legislative body can overrule the decisions. It ensures that no one branch gains too much power and preserves individual rights.

Moral values are crucial to maintaining the integrity of a nation worldwide. They ensure sustainable development within the nation and that all people have equal opportunities available.

With everyones interests being considered fairly by the government, there is also a sense of loyalty and responsibility towards the nation on an individual level through their rights and benefits earned accordingly.

When people have the right to vote, they are more likely to abide by the law because they must respect their community. It then ensures that everyone is required to regularly participate in certain mandatory activities, keeping in check their social and moral values.

Democracy gives people the right to think about what they want and express their opinions freely. It is necessary because freedom allows for better ideas to develop that could improve things. If anyone has a question, they can ask it publicly without any fear or limitations.

As long as everyone abides by certain set rules, they are free to think about whatever it is that interests them. Freedom of thought and expression would be present across the board. This is what makes democracy the most important political system worldwide.

The first requirement under democratic principles is the presence of peace to ensure free participation by everyone who qualifies based on certain set criteria. It then views different ethnic groups and cultures as an integral part of society. This subsequently leads to everyone living peacefully with one another.

The two terms are intertwined because the former cannot exist without the latter. For democracy to thrive, it requires a sense of allegiance and brotherhood among citizens, so they are capable to propose policies that benefit all equally.

Ethnicity is integral in any democratic society because it allows for people to practice their respective cultures and beliefs. It gives the people the freedom to choose what they want and prevents them from becoming a victim of conversion.

Better decisions lead to better policies. And better decisions are driven by creative ideas on the table. While democracy provides freedom of expression, nations can build themselves by constructively sharing their ideas.

Democracy ensures that the government will be responsive to future generations. When elected officials are chosen by popular vote, they have an incentive to focus on policies that benefit the largest number of people over the longest period of time. They can make efforts to invest in infrastructure and education instead of satisfying short-term desires.

Democracy is linked to economic growth it is no coincidence that most of the worlds wealthy countries are democratic. In addition, research shows that countries with greater income equality have more stable politics and are also more likely to be democratic.

Developing countries are alsoless likely to experience negative growth ratesand economic shocks because democracy helps ensure political stability. In addition, democracies are less likely to go to war with other democracies. It further reduces a nations wealth and harms the people. Hence democracy ensures prosperity among people. Their efforts then work to bring monumental changes in the community.

When the majority respects the rights of the minority, it ensures that anyone could be protected from abuse by powerful officials or majorities.

Moreover, governments are more accountable to their citizens in a democratic system because there are institutions in place to ensure this accountability. Democracies also have laws against hate speech, which could help reduce racial and gender discrimination.

When citizens have a say in whos running their country, they are less likely to act violently towards each other. Thus, democracy is a factor for establishing public safety and promoting social behavior.

While some may argue that democracy allows the population to legitimize violence by voting for war-mongering politicians it also inhibits changing government policy through violent means.

Some rules prevent one party from dominating all branches of government, which helps to ensure peaceful transitions of power. For instance, in the United States, changing the state of affairs requires either an election or a constitutional amendment.

Democracy has the power to promote social and economic development. Because it allows for greater freedom of ideas and opinions, more creative solutions surface that otherwise were not acknowledged in other systems such as monarchies.

Research shows that democratic nations are more likely toreceive aid from wealthier nations. People of developing countries then have a better chance at improving their living standards.

Moreover, democracy encourages education because education enhances the critical thinking skills necessary for voting people into positions of power. It creates an informed and aware society which leads to better decision-making and a much brighter future.

Given that it ensures freedom of thought, democracy promotes social and economic growth. It is the only system that acts as an equalizer by ensuring that everyone gets a fair chance at achieving their life goals regardless of who they are or where they come from.

Whats more, since everyone gets a chance to participate in civic elections and engage with others about public affairs it allows for greater civic involvement and participation in politics.

It shows that democracy is a crucial part of civic education that refers to the rights, duties, and responsibilities of citizens in society.

Its not just about what to do but also how to think and engage actively with the community plus your nation. Hence people are inclined to vote for officials who work in the best interest of the nation.

As a result, it benefits the community.

Since democracy ensures representation and better policy, everyone benefits regardless of their age, gender, race, and political affiliation. Minorities and unpopular groups are protected from the majoritarian rule because there is typically a majority party or coalition that will protect their interests.

The system also ensures that the needs of the community are met as a whole by promoting compromise and negotiation rather than violence. In addition, democracy can help to empower people who would otherwise be ignored because disenfranchised groups often make up a significant proportion or even the majority of these populations.

In a democratic nation, the quality of life is generally better. People have a voice and they can help choose leaders who are dedicated. They dont feel like slaves or subordinates with no rights; instead, they choose who gets to represent them in government. They know that they will be able to get the most out of their leaders.

Democracy helps nations gain respect worldwide because it is based on the idea that everyone is equal and deserves equal treatment. Any nation conducting free elections can then claim to have made strides towards basic equality. It encourages other nations to adopt democratic principles or practices for themselves as well.

Democracy is a fundamental aspect of society that needs to be honored and respected worldwide. It ensures freedom of thought and expression, which in turn brings about social and economic development in a nation.

Only a democratic system has the power to ensure participation from a larger population base while also encouraging civic responsibility amongst its citizens who wish for a brighter future.

A sophomore in engineering, Im a budding writer and an adventure enthusiast. My passion leads me on to try my hands on different things. I enjoy music, food, and good company. Making my way through life in my own ways, youll find me holding a camera and capturing what this world has to offer.

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15 Reasons Why Democracy Is Important - Curious Desire

Democracy Now! doesnt belong to any corporation, government or political party. Our daily news hour belongs to you, our listeners, viewers and readers. Youre the reason we exist. In these times of climate chaos, rising authoritarianism and war, Democracy Now! needs your help more than ever to hold the powerful to account and amplify the voices of the scholars, scientists, activists, artists and everyday people who are working to save democracyand the planet.Right now a generous donor will DOUBLE all donations to our daily news hour. That means your gift of $10 is worth $20 to Democracy Now! Please do your part to keep our independent journalism going strong. Every dollar counts. Thank you so much, and stay safe.-Amy Goodman

Democracy Now! doesnt belong to any corporation, government or political party. Our daily news hour belongs to you, our listeners, viewers and readers. Youre the reason we exist. In these times of climate chaos, rising authoritarianism and war, Democracy Now! needs your help more than ever to hold the powerful to account and amplify the voices of the scholars, scientists, activists, artists and everyday people who are working to save democracyand the planet.Right now a generous donor will DOUBLE all donations to our daily news hour. That means your gift of $10 is worth $20 to Democracy Now! Please do your part to keep our independent journalism going strong. Every dollar counts. Thank you so much, and stay safe.-Amy Goodman

We rely on contributions from you, our viewers and listeners to do our work. If you visit us daily or weekly or even just once a month, now is a great time to make your monthly contribution.

Please do your part today.

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