Demokraattinen

Demokraattinen is a Finnish adjective meaning “democratic” or “relating to democracy.” It describes elements that adhere to the principles of democracy, such as popular sovereignty, political equality, free and fair elections, and the rule of law. The word is commonly used to characterize systems, processes, institutions, and practices as being democratic.

Etymology and formation: demokraattinen is formed from the noun demokratia (democracy) with the standard Finnish adjectival suffix -inen. The related noun demokraatti (democrat) exists as a person who supports or advocates democracy. The adjective is used to modify nouns across various contexts, reflecting the same root concept as the noun demokratia.

Usage and examples: In Finnish, demokraattinen is used in phrases such as demokraattinen valtio (a democratic state), demokraattinen järjestelmä (a democratic system), demokraattinen päätöksenteko (democratic decision-making), and demokraattinen valinta (a democratic choice). It can describe political processes, institutions, or norms that emphasize participation, accountability, and rights protection. While the term strongly signals adherence to democratic principles, it does not alone guarantee a perfect or flawless system; context and judgment still apply.

Context in Finnish discourse: In contemporary Finnish language, demokraattinen appears frequently in official language, political discourse, and academic writing. Finland is commonly described as a democratic republic with universal suffrage and a constitutional framework that supports representative democracy, the protection of civil rights, and the separation of powers. The adjective demokraattinen thus serves as a concise descriptor of these liberal-democratic attributes.