In the US, we laud the amazing benefits of democracy. But at its roots, what does democracy mean, and how do we protect it?
The word democracy comes from the ancient Greek word δημοκρατία (dēmokratía), which is a combination of two parts: Dēmos (δῆμος), meaning “people” or “the common people,” and Kratos (κράτος), meaning “power” or “rule.” Together, dēmokratía literally means “rule by the people” or “power of the people.”
The term first appeared in ancient Athens around the 5th century BCE to describe their system of government, in which citizens had the power to participate in decision-making. The concept spread and evolved over centuries, but the core idea of democracy as a system of government where the people have a say in their governance has remained consistent.
Democracy is considered an advanced form of government compared to others that have historically had a tendency to do that which is contrary to the best interest of its people. For example, other forms of governance include: Autocracy – rule by a single individual with absolute power, such as a dictator or monarch; Oligarchy – rule by a small group of people, often based on wealth, family ties, or military control; and Totalitarianism – a centralized, authoritarian government in which the state controls nearly all aspects of public and private life.
If democracy is a model in which the people have a say, then a strong democracy is one in which the people have the ultimate say, where they hold absolute power and final authority. Weak democracies then are those in which the people have a say, but other forces (usually powerful people or institutions) influence votes or decisions.
When the people have a strong or final say in a their democracy, those forms of government can be a constitutional monarchy such as the UK (where the king has ceremonial and limited powers and the majority of the power lies in the elected representative body), a parliamentary democracy such as is found in India and Germany (where the executive body is drawn up from the representative body), or a republican system such as we have in the US (where the executive body is elected or appointed).
As we give special attention this week to the system of democracy in the US, learning about its roots and its variations can offer us understanding and appreciation for systems of government throughout history and around the globe. May we walk in the wisdom the Lord gives us, in knowledge and in understanding.1
