What is democracy? What are its various characteristics?

What is democracy? What are its various characteristics?

Answer:
In modern usage, democracy is a system of government, in which the citizens exercise power. It is formed by two Greek words ‘demos’ and ‘Kratia’. ‘Demos’ means people and ‘Kratia’ means the government. Democracy, thus means ‘rule by the people.’ In a democratic set up, every citizen has a right to take a part in the decision making process. According to Abraham Lincoln, democracy is ‘government of the people, government by the people and the government for the people’ Citizens choose their representatives who would form the government.
Characteristics:

  • It promotes equality among citizens.
  • It looks after the interest of the people.
  • It allows room to correct mistakes.