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Democracy, or democratic government, is "a system of government in which all the people of a state or polity ... are involved in making decisions about its affairs, typically by voting to elect representatives to a parliament or similar assembly," as defined by the Oxford English Dictionary.〔Oxford English Dictionary: ''Democracy''.〕 Democracy is further defined as (a:) "government by the people; especially : rule of the majority (b:) " a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections."〔(Democracy - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary )〕 According to political scientist Larry Diamond, it consists of four key elements: # A political system for choosing and replacing the government through free and fair elections. # The active participation of the people, as citizens, in politics and civic life. # Protection of the human rights of all citizens. # A rule of law, in which the laws and procedures apply equally to all citizens.〔Diamond, L., Lecture at Hilla University for Humanistic Studies January 21, 2004: ("What is Democracy" )〕 The term originates from the Greek (') "rule of the people",〔(δημοκρατία ) in Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, "A Greek-English Lexicon", at Perseus〕 which was found from δῆμος (''dêmos'') "people" and κράτος (''krátos'') "power" or "rule", in the 5th century BC to denote the political systems then existing in Greek city-states, notably Athens; the term is an antonym to ἀριστοκρατία (''aristokratía'') "rule of an elite". While theoretically these definitions are in opposition, in practice the distinction has been blurred historically.〔Wilson, N. G. (2006). ''Encyclopedia of ancient Greece''. New York: Routledge. p. 511. ISBN 0-415-97334-1.〕 The political system of Classical Athens, for example, granted democratic citizenship to an elite class of free men and excluded slaves and women from political participation. In virtually all democratic governments throughout ancient and modern history, democratic citizenship consisted of an elite class until full enfranchisement was won for all adult citizens in most modern democracies through the suffrage movements of the 19th and 20th centuries. The English word dates to the 16th century, from the older Middle French and Middle Latin equivalents. Democracy contrasts with forms of government where power is either held by an individual, as in an absolute monarchy, or where power is held by a small number of individuals, as in an oligarchy. Nevertheless, these oppositions, inherited from Greek philosophy, are now ambiguous because contemporary governments have mixed democratic, oligarchic, and monarchic elements. Karl Popper defined democracy in contrast to dictatorship or tyranny, thus focusing on opportunities for the people to control their leaders and to oust them without the need for a revolution.〔Jarvie, 2006, pp. 218–9〕 Several variants of democracy exist, but there are two basic forms, both of which concern how the whole body of all eligible citizens executes its will. One form of democracy is direct democracy, in which all eligible citizens have direct and active participation in the political decision making. In most modern democracies, the whole body of eligible citizens remain the sovereign power but political power is exercised indirectly through elected representatives; this is called a representative democracy. ==Characteristics== No consensus exists on how to define democracy, but legal equality, political freedom and rule of law have been identified as important characteristics.〔(Liberty and justice for some ) at Economist.com〕〔O'Donnell, G., In Diamond, L.; Morlino, L., (''Assessing the Quality of Democracy'' ), JHU Press, 2005, p. 3.〕 These principles are reflected in all eligible citizens being equal before the law and having equal access to legislative processes. For example, in a representative democracy, every vote has equal weight, no unreasonable restrictions can apply to anyone seeking to become a representative, and the freedom of its eligible citizens is secured by legitimised rights and liberties which are typically protected by a constitution.〔R. Alan Dahl, I. Shapiro, J. A. Cheibub, ''The Democracy Sourcebook'', MIT Press 2003, ISBN 0-262-54147-5, (Google Books link )〕〔M. Hénaff, T. B. Strong, ''Public Space and Democracy'', University of Minnesota Press, ISBN 0-8166-3387-8〕 One theory holds that democracy requires three fundamental principles: 1) upward control, i.e. sovereignty residing at the lowest levels of authority, 2) political equality, and 3) social norms by which individuals and institutions only consider acceptable acts that reflect the first two principles of upward control and political equality. The term "democracy" is sometimes used as shorthand for liberal democracy, which is a variant of representative democracy that may include elements such as political pluralism; equality before the law; the right to petition elected officials for redress of grievances; due process; civil liberties; human rights; and elements of civil society outside the government. Roger Scruton argues that democracy alone cannot provide personal and political freedom unless the institutions of civil society are also present. In some countries, notably in the United Kingdom which originated the Westminster system, the dominant principle is that of parliamentary sovereignty, while maintaining judicial independence.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Parliamentary sovereignty )〕〔(【引用サイトリンク】url=http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/about-the-judiciary/the-judiciary-the-government-and-the-constitution/jud-acc-ind/independence/ )〕 In the United States, separation of powers is often cited as a central attribute. In India parliamentary sovereignty is subject to a Constitution which includes judicial review. Other uses of "democracy" include that of direct democracy. Though the term "democracy" is typically used in the context of a political state, the principles also are applicable to private organisations. Majority rule is often listed as a characteristic of democracy. Hence, democracy allows for political minorities to be oppressed by the "tyranny of the majority" in the absence of legal protections of individual or group rights. An essential part of an "ideal" representative democracy is competitive elections that are fair both substantively and procedurally. Furthermore, freedom of political expression, freedom of speech, and freedom of the press are considered to be essential rights that allow eligible citizens to be adequately informed and able to vote according to their own interests.〔A. Barak,''The Judge in a Democracy'', Princeton University Press, 2006, p. 27, ISBN 0-691-12017-X, (Google Books link )〕〔H. Kelsen, ''Ethics'', Vol. 66, No. 1, Part 2: Foundations of Democracy (October , 1955), pp. 1–101〕 It has also been suggested that a basic feature of democracy is the capacity of all voters to participate freely and fully in the life of their society.〔Martha Nussbaum, ''Women and human development: the capabilities approach'' (Cambridge University Press, 2000).〕 With its emphasis on notions of social contract and the collective will of the all voters, democracy can also be characterised as a form of political collectivism because it is defined as a form of government in which all eligible citizens have an equal say in lawmaking.〔Larry Jay Diamond, Marc F. Plattner (2006). (Electoral systems and democracy ) p.168. Johns Hopkins University Press, 2006.〕 While representative democracy is sometimes equated with the republican form of government, the term "republic" classically has encompassed both democracies and aristocracies.〔Montesquieu, ''Spirit of the Laws'', Bk. II, ch. 2–3.〕〔William R. Everdell. The End of Kings: A History of Republics and Republicans. University of Chicago Press, 2000.〕 Many democracies are constitutional monarchies, such as the United Kingdom. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Democracy」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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