A democracy is a system in which the people have the right to elect the government and the representatives of the government. In a liberal democracy, power cannot be taken away from the people against their will. In addition, there are checks and balances, conventions of behaviour, and laws that protect the civil liberties of citizens. However, it is important to note that there is no one definitive definition of democracy. In fact, the term can mean different things in different countries.
In Britain, democracy has existed since the seventeenth century. The British Parliament is comprised of elected members from each region of the country and represents the interests of its constituents to the government. In Russia, the principle of democratic centralism was popularised by Vladimir Ulyinov Lenin, who established the communist government in 1917. Lenin believed that in order for a democracy to function properly, a small group of leaders, known as the “vanguard of the revolution”, had to lead the people and establish order.
The word democracy has its origins in the Greek language, where it is derived from the word demos, which means ‘whole citizen’, and ‘kratos’, which means ‘power’. The term originated from the suspicion that concentrated power would destroy a free society. A democracy is a system in which the government has a legitimate mandate to rule, a free electorate, and regular elections.
In addition to the fact that the US is a democracy that is dominated by elites, it is a country characterized by political infighting and vetocracy. As a result, Americans are growing disenchanted with US politics and democracy. A recent Gallup poll shows that only 19% of US citizens are confident that their country’s democratic system will work in 2020.
A democracy protects the citizens’ rights by granting them equal protection under the law. A democracy is not one that follows uniform practices, but one that follows the national life of its people. Moreover, it conducts regular and fair elections that are accessible to all citizens. These elections should not be faked or rigged by a dictator or one party.
While democracy is an essential part of a society, the US’ attempts to export it to other countries are deeply problematic and ill-conceived. The US is actively seeking regime change in many countries, in the name of democracy. In doing so, US actions are counterproductive and may even lead to conflict. It is also undemocratic to interfere with another country’s internal affairs.
The US media monopolies have also become invisible killers of political and civil rights, says Robert McChesney, a professor of political economy and communications at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. “They confine people to entertainment programs, distract them from public affairs, and erode their ability to discern right from wrong.” The media has become a central part of American society and depoliticized it.