What is democracy?

Originally in Ancient Greece democracy was a form of government where all the people in a society make decisions, although in reality this meant only the free men and not any women or slaves. The aim of democracy is as Abraham Lincoln said, "government of the people, by the people, for the people." In a modern day democratic government, the people elect representatives who then govern on there behalf. This means that only a few people actually make the main political decisions but they have been elected by the people to make these decisions. 

CP
Answered by Charlotte P. Government and Politics tutor

4192 Views

See similar Government and Politics A Level tutors

Related Government and Politics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Identify and explain some differences between a federal and a unitary constitution?


Distinguish between different types of international human rights


Apart from voting in elections and referendums, describe two ways of participating in politics.


Why do liberals advocate democracy?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning