undemocratically

Undemocratically is an adverb that describes actions, processes, or decisions carried out in a manner that is not in accordance with democratic principles. It typically implies restricted participation, lack of accountability, centralization of power, or absence of transparent, fair procedures.

It is commonly used to criticize procedures that bypass elections, public consultation, or legal checks and balances. The term can describe actions by governments, legislatures, or other authorities, as well as by organizations or institutions that claim to operate openly but employ nontransparent or exclusive processes.

Actual examples vary, but are often pointed to when public input is limited, opposition voices are sidelined, oversight bodies are weakened, or rules are changed by decree rather than through deliberation and consent. The word is normative rather than a legal label; it signals that an action lacks democratic legitimacy rather than asserting illegality.

Derivative terms include undemocratic (the adjective) and democracy-related concepts such as democratic deficit, as well as broader concepts like oligarchy or autocracy. The etymology traces to democracy plus the adverbial suffix -ly, from Greek and Latin roots.

See also democracy, democratic deficit, autocracy, oligarchy, transparency, public participation.