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Strengths And Definitions Of Democracy

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Democracy emanates from a Greek word Demokratia which means the rule of people. In Geek context, it excluded slaves, foreigners and women. It was only men participating however the trend changed (Britannica.com). “Democracy refers to a government of the people, for the people, and by the people.”-Abraham Lincoln.
Democracy refers to a system of governance in which the supreme powers are vested in the hands of people and is exercised by them indirectly or directly through a system of representation which involves periodic free and fair elections (http://www.zesn.org.zw/publications/publication_280.pdf). Most importantly, the rule of law is needed to ensure that governors are held accountable through elections that are free and fair (Rose, R 2009) Democracy really means nothing or less than the rule of people, expressing their Sovereign will by their votes (Bryce 1921). However, in a broader definition of democracy it emphasizes multiple ways of participation in politics. Participation not only means that all adult citizens have a right to vote but that also free to advance their views by joining political groups, engaging in open discussion(Rose, R 2009).
Democratization is a progressive transition to a more democratic system. It can be the transition from an authoritarian regime to full democracy or transition from an authoritarian political system to a semi-democracy or transition from a semi-authoritarian political system to a democratic political system (Welzel

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