demokratisme

Demokratisme, or democratism, is a political doctrine that emphasizes democracy as the foundational principle of political legitimacy. Proponents argue that political authority derives from the consent of the governed and that governance should be guided by popular sovereignty, typically realized through elections and representative institutions.

Historically, the term appears in several European languages and has been used by liberal, reformist, and radical currents to describe the belief that democratic processes and institutions are the primary means to constrain state power and protect individual rights. Interpretations of demokratism range from a focus on formal electoral rule to calls for broader participation and deliberation.

Core elements commonly associated with demokratism include universal suffrage, equality before the law, the rule of law, protection of civil liberties, regular elections, and mechanisms to hold rulers to account. The doctrine may be invoked to justify constitutional design as well as ongoing democratic reforms.

Relations to other ideologies vary. Demokratism is not a single policy program; it may underlie liberal democracy, republicanism, or various strands of radical democracy. It contrasts with majoritarian nationalism, elitism, or technocratic governance when those approaches assert power without broad public legitimacy.

Critiques focus on potential majoritarian abuses, insufficient protection for minority rights, and the risk of demagoguery if institutions are weak. In scholarly usage, demokratism is typically a descriptive label for the primacy of democratic legitimacy in political theory rather than a specific blueprint.

See also: democracy, liberal democracy, republicanism.