democracy

Democracy is a form of government in which power is vested in the hands of the people, allowing citizens to participate in decision-making processes, either directly or through elected representatives. It is characterized by principles such as political equality, popular sovereignty, and the protection of individual rights and freedoms. Democracy emerged in ancient Athens, Greece, around the 5th century BCE and is often referred to as “Athenian democracy.” In this system, male citizens were entitled to participate in the assembly and vote on legislation and important matters of governance. Ancient Athenian democracy laid the groundwork for the development of democratic principles and institutions in subsequent societies. Over time, democracy has evolved and taken various forms, including representative democracy, where citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf, and direct democracy, where citizens directly participate in decision-making through referendums and initiatives. Democracy has become a dominant political system worldwide, with numerous countries adopting democratic principles in their governance.