Democracy is one of the most influential political systems in the modern world, founded on the principles of popular sovereignty, equality, liberty, participation, and the rule of law. Originating in Ancient Greece, democracy has evolved from direct citizen participation to modern representative institutions that safeguard human rights and constitutional governance. From the timeless definition of Abraham Lincoln—“government of the people, by the people, for the people”—to the contemporary ideas of David Held, Robert Dahl, J.S. Mill, Rousseau, Habermas, and Amartya Sen, democracy continues to shape political thought and public policy across the globe.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of Democracy, covering its meaning, definitions, characteristics, democratic culture, direct and indirect democracy, procedural and substantive democracy, participatory and deliberative democracy, David Held’s six models of democracy, major political thinkers, important books, and the relevance of democracy in the 21st century. It also explores the relationship between democracy, human rights, social justice, constitutional governance, and citizen participation, making it an essential resource for UPSC, State PCS, UGC-NET, Political Science, Public Administration, Law, Sociology, and Judiciary aspirants.
Author: Darshita Neeraj
Senior Researcher,
Mudita Learning and Knowledge Private Limited
Email: info@muditabooks.com
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