democracy

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   Rule by the people, especially as a form of government; either directly or through elected representatives (representative democracy).

   And the essential value and power of Democracy consists in this,—that it combines, as far as possible, power and organization ; THE SPIRIT, MANHOOD, is at one with THE BODY, ORGANIZATION. [....] Democracy is Government by the People.

2. 2
   noun

   A government under the direct or representative rule of the people of its jurisdiction.

   Of course, the Russians think it is something else because they say the Russians have a democracy and it is plain that their government is not what the Americans regard as a democracy.

3. 3
   noun

   A state with a democratic system of government.

   After almost four decades of authoritarian rule, South Africa became a democracy in April 1994.

4. 4
   noun

   Belief in political freedom and equality; the "spirit of democracy".

   As states of the human spirit democracy, righteousness, and faith have much in common and may be cultivated by the same means...

5. 5
   name

   The Democratic Party.

   I so adopt it because it furnishes a precise and an agreed starting point for a discussion between Republicans and that wing of the Democracy headed by Senator Douglas.

6. 6
   noun

   the doctrine that the numerical majority of an organized group can make decisions binding on the whole group

7. 7
   noun

   the political orientation of those who favor government by the people or by their elected representatives

8. 8
   noun

   a political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them

Etymology

From Middle French democratie (French démocratie), from Medieval Latin dēmocratia, from Ancient Greek δημοκρᾰτῐ́ᾱ (dēmokrătĭ́ā). By surface analysis, demo- (“people”) + -cracy (“rule”).