The beautiful Greek word for more than two thousand years of history was filled with the most diverse, often bizarre meanings. How do you explain the meaning of the word "democracy"? It is worth starting with its original meaning, which the ancient Greeks themselves invested in it.
Democracy is the power of the people
Democracy, usually opposed to dictatorship, autocracy and tyranny, is today considered the most progressive form of government, which seeks to reflect the interests of the majority, without, however, belittling the interests of minorities.
However, this was not always the case, because in ancient Greece it was customary to call people not all people, but only full citizens who did not belong to slaves. At the same time, women were severely infringed on their rights. Only adult men could vote, while the beautiful half of humanity was able to defend this right only in the turbulent twentieth century. But over two and a half thousand years, the concept has undergone significant positive changes, the fruits of which today can enjoy the citizens of progressive countries of Europe, America and Asia.
Parliamentary democracy
Explain the meaning of the word democracy. This is a question that can confound even experienced jurists, because there are a lot of meanings and shades in this concept. For example, in the 19th and 20th centuries, not only an independent strong parliament, but also newspapers, magazines, and later television, became an integral attribute of a democratic society. It is well known that the media, to which the Internet now undoubtedly belongs, are called the fourth power, which is not inferior in value to public peace by judicial, executive and legislative. While parliamentary democracy has become widespread in Europe, transitional forms have developed in the United States and Russia, characterized by a significant redistribution of power in favor of the head of state - the president.
How do you explain the meaning of the word democracy today? What form of government is typical in the modern world? It is worth saying that in modern times there were such political regimes under which democracy became possible not only in the republics of various kinds, but also in monarchical states. A vivid example is provided by such countries as Great Britain, the Netherlands, and the countries of Northern Europe, where, despite the formal primacy of the monarch as head of state, most of the real powers are concentrated in the hands of parliamentarians or members of the government. In Africa, the exact opposite system has spread. Despite the fact that many states of this continent are formal republics, power in them is concentrated in the hands of corrupt rulers and members of their families.
Thus, when answering the question about political regimes in the modern world, first of all explain the meaning of the word "democracy" in the context of the republican form of government, which is inconceivable without direct competitive elections for a large number of senior government posts. But even in the case of the appointment of officials, citizens closely monitor their performance of official duties and seek to exclude corruption and conflicts of interest.
Neoliberal component
Using the example of modern states with a highly developed capitalist economy, explain the meaning of the word democracy. What form of government is characteristic of it? Most modern scholars, both economists and sociologists, agree that one cannot do without direct intervention of citizens in the affairs of state administration. If citizens are eliminating themselves from making important decisions for the country, then with a high degree of probability one can expect usurpation of power by officials, representatives of law enforcement agencies or large capital.