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democracy

de·moc·ra·cy [ di mókrəssee ] (plural de·moc·ra·cies)


noun 
Definition:
 
1. free and equal representation of people: the free and equal right of every person to participate in a system of government, often practiced by electing representatives of the people by the majority of the people

2. democratic nation: a country with a government that has been elected freely and equally by all its citizens

3. democratic system of government: a system of government based on the principle of majority decision-making

4. control of organization by members: the control of an organization by its members, who have a free and equal right to participate in decision-making processes

[Late 16th century. Directly or via French< medieval Latin democratia< Greek dēmokratia "rule of the people" < dēmos "people" + kratos "rule"]
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