There is no single, universally accepted definition of democracy, and different scholars and political theorists have offered their own definitions of the term stating democracy is a form of government in which the power to make decisions is held by a group of people, usually through the process of free and fair elections. Democracy is often associated with values such as liberty, equality, and the rule of law, and is characterized by the participation of citizens in the decision-making process.
Here are a few examples of academic definitions of democracy:
"A system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives." - Oxford English Dictionary
"A political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who are entitled to vote and are represented by elected officials." - Merriam-Webster Dictionary
"A system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives." - Cambridge Dictionary
"A form of government in which the power to rule is held by the people, either directly or through elected representatives." - Encyclopedia Britannica
"A system of government in which the power to rule is held by the people, either directly or through elected representatives." - Dictionary.com
Overall, these definitions emphasize that democracy is a system of government in which the people have a say in how they are governed, either directly or through elected representatives.
