Enhance Your Learning with Democracy Flash Cards for quick learning
A system of government in which power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through elected representatives.
The concept of democracy originated in ancient Greece, particularly in Athens, where citizens had the right to participate in decision-making.
Key principles of democracy include popular sovereignty, political equality, majority rule, minority rights, and respect for individual freedoms.
There are various types of democracy, including direct democracy, representative democracy, parliamentary democracy, presidential democracy, and constitutional democracy.
Institutions such as the legislature, executive, judiciary, and independent electoral bodies play a crucial role in upholding democracy and ensuring checks and balances.
Processes like elections, political parties, public debates, and decision-making mechanisms are essential for the functioning of a democratic system.
Democracy guarantees fundamental rights and freedoms, such as freedom of speech, assembly, press, religion, and the right to vote and participate in political activities.
Democracy provides a framework for good governance, promoting transparency, accountability, and responsiveness to the needs and aspirations of the people.
Citizenship in a democracy entails both rights and responsibilities, including active participation, informed decision-making, and respect for the rule of law.
Political parties are essential in democratic systems, representing different ideologies, mobilizing support, and competing for power through elections.
Elections are a cornerstone of democracy, allowing citizens to choose their representatives and hold them accountable for their actions.
A free and independent media is crucial for democracy, providing information, facilitating public discourse, and acting as a watchdog on government.
Civil society organizations, such as non-governmental organizations, advocacy groups, and grassroots movements, play a vital role in promoting democracy and social change.
Democracy and human rights are closely intertwined, as democracy ensures the protection and promotion of human rights, including equality, dignity, and freedom from oppression.
The rule of law is a fundamental principle of democracy, ensuring that laws are applied equally to all citizens and that government actions are subject to legal scrutiny.
Public opinion plays a significant role in democracy, shaping policies, influencing decision-making, and holding elected officials accountable.
Democracy has implications for global politics, promoting peace, cooperation, and respect for human rights in international relations.
Democracies often engage in diplomatic relations, negotiations, and alliances to promote shared values and interests in the international arena.
Democracy is believed to foster economic development, social progress, and human well-being by providing a conducive environment for innovation, entrepreneurship, and inclusive growth.
Democracy aims to achieve social justice by ensuring equal opportunities, reducing inequalities, and addressing systemic discrimination and marginalization.
Equality is a core value of democracy, advocating for equal rights, opportunities, and treatment for all individuals, regardless of their background or characteristics.
Democracy recognizes and celebrates diversity, fostering inclusivity, multiculturalism, and respect for different cultures, religions, languages, and identities.
Democracy strives for gender equality, empowering women, promoting women's rights, and ensuring their meaningful participation in political and decision-making processes.
In a democracy, power is distributed among different institutions and individuals, preventing the concentration of power and promoting a system of checks and balances.
Accountability is a key feature of democracy, holding elected officials and public servants responsible for their actions, decisions, and use of public resources.
Transparency is essential in a democracy, ensuring openness, access to information, and public scrutiny of government activities, policies, and decision-making processes.
Active citizen participation is vital for democracy, enabling individuals to engage in political processes, voice their concerns, and contribute to decision-making.
Representation is a fundamental principle of democracy, ensuring that diverse voices and interests are heard and reflected in the decision-making process.
A constitution serves as the foundation of a democratic system, outlining the rights and responsibilities of citizens, the structure of government, and the rule of law.
Federalism is a system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and regional or state governments, promoting decentralization and local autonomy.
The separation of powers is a principle of democracy, dividing government authority into legislative, executive, and judicial branches to prevent abuse of power.
Checks and balances are mechanisms in a democratic system that ensure no single branch of government becomes too powerful, maintaining a system of accountability and oversight.
Political leadership is crucial in a democracy, with leaders responsible for making decisions, implementing policies, and representing the interests of the people.
Interest groups, also known as pressure groups or advocacy groups, play a significant role in democracy, representing specific interests and influencing policy-making.
Lobbying is a practice in democracy where individuals or groups attempt to influence government decisions and policies through direct or indirect means.
Public policy refers to the decisions and actions taken by governments to address societal issues, with democracy ensuring public participation and accountability in policy-making.
Public administration involves the implementation of government policies and programs, with democracy emphasizing efficiency, transparency, and citizen-centric service delivery.
Bureaucracy refers to the administrative system of government, with democracy aiming to ensure bureaucratic accountability, efficiency, and responsiveness to public needs.
Political economy examines the interaction between politics and economics, with democracy influencing economic policies, distribution of resources, and wealth creation.
Democracy and globalization are interconnected, as democracy shapes global governance, trade, human rights, and the flow of ideas, people, and capital across borders.
Democracy and nationalism can have complex relationships, with democracy accommodating diverse identities and aspirations while nationalism emphasizes a shared sense of belonging and loyalty.
Populism is a political ideology that often challenges established democratic norms and institutions, emphasizing the will of the people and appealing to popular sentiment.
Authoritarianism is a form of government that opposes democracy, concentrating power in the hands of a single leader or ruling elite, often suppressing political opposition and civil liberties.
Totalitarianism is an extreme form of authoritarianism, where the government exercises absolute control over all aspects of public and private life, leaving no room for political dissent or individual freedoms.
Revolutionary movements often seek to establish or restore democracy, challenging oppressive regimes and advocating for political, social, and economic change.
Social movements play a crucial role in democracy, mobilizing collective action, raising awareness, and advocating for social, political, and environmental justice.
Protests are a form of political expression in a democracy, allowing citizens to voice their grievances, demand change, and hold governments accountable.
Activism involves taking action to bring about social or political change, with democracy providing a platform for individuals and groups to engage in activism and advocate for their causes.