Democr

Democr, commonly abbreviated from democracy, refers to a political system in which political power is derived from the people. In such systems, governance rests on consent, participation, and institutions designed to constrain rulers and protect rights.

Core features include free and fair elections, political pluralism, the rule of law, accountability of public officials, transparency, and the protection of civil and political rights. Citizens typically participate directly or through elected representatives, and the government is expected to act with legitimacy derived from popular consent.

Forms vary. Direct democracy enables citizens to vote on laws and policies directly, while representative (or liberal) democracy relies on elected representatives to make policy decisions. Many countries blend elements of both in constitutional frameworks that separate powers, checks and balances, and independent judiciaries.

History: the concept traces to ancient Greece, especially Athens. Modern democracy emerged in Europe and the Americas from the 17th to 19th centuries, with constitutional guarantees, parliamentary systems, and expanding suffrage. In the 20th and 21st centuries, universal suffrage and civil rights movement broadened participation to previously excluded groups.

Contemporary debates focus on democratic quality, threats to liberal norms, populism, misinformation, disinformation, money in politics, and cyber interference. Assessments of democracies often consider rule of law, media freedom, electoral integrity, and citizen participation. The term "democr" is sometimes used informally as shorthand for democratic systems, though actual practices vary widely across countries and time.