democracy

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'democracy' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use the word 'democracy' to refer to a form of government, in which the people hold the power either directly or through elected representatives. For example, "The United States is a democracy in which the citizens have the right to vote for their elected representatives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"This is democracy".

The New York Times - Magazine

That is democracy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Is a big Labour win good for democracy?

The Guardian

Young people in Scotland have embraced participative democracy like never before".

The Guardian

"You encourage democracy over time, with assistance, and aid, the traditional way.

The Economist

A standard charge against the EU promoting democracy is that the union itself is not democratic – hence Brussels is at best hypocritical.

The Guardian - Opinion

One of the explicit goals of European enlargement to the east was to consolidate liberal democracies (or, in the case of Romania, complete the transition to liberal democracy in the first place).

The Guardian - Opinion

The logic was simple: Sinn Fein was considered to be undertaking its baby steps in democracy.

The Guardian

The president said the war in the country's east was not just about territorial integrity, but "global freedom, global democracy and global security".

The Guardian

Now, after the collapse of communism, the Christian-conservative government paints as its main enemy the multicultural consumerist liberal democracy for which today's western Europe stands.

The Guardian

The point I made was in the long run a free and vigorous media are good for democracy, are good for security, and are good for stability.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "democracy", clarify the specific type or aspect you are addressing (e.g. representative democracy, direct democracy, or democratic values) to provide greater precision.

Common error

Avoid assuming that simply holding elections automatically means a country is a full "democracy". A true democracy requires more than just voting; it also requires protection of minority rights, freedom of speech, and an independent judiciary.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "democracy" is as a noun. It typically serves as the subject or object of a sentence, denoting a system of government or a set of principles. According to Ludwig AI, the word is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

0.3%

Wiki

0.3%

Reference

0.4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

Ludwig AI confirms that the word "democracy" is correct and frequently used in English to describe a system of government where power resides in the people. As a noun, it appears most often in News & Media, as well as Encyclopedias. While grammatically straightforward, it is important to be precise when discussing "democracy", specifying the type and being aware that elections alone do not guarantee a true "democracy". Related terms include "popular rule" and "representative government". Common pitfalls include equating elections with true democratic practice. In essence, "democracy" is a versatile term with substantial implications, used to navigate the intricacies of governance and political thought.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

liberal democracy

This alternative specifies a form of democracy that upholds civil liberties and individual rights.

democratic system

This alternative is more specific, referring to the structural arrangement of a government.

people's rule

This alternative uses simpler language to convey the idea of the people governing themselves.

direct democracy

This alternative describes a system where citizens directly vote on policies and laws.

representative government

This alternative focuses on the aspect of citizens electing representatives.

self-governance

This alternative highlights the autonomy and independence of the people in ruling themselves.

popular sovereignty

This alternative emphasizes the ultimate authority residing in the people.

political equality

This alternative focuses on the aspect of equal rights and opportunities in the political sphere.

constitutional republic

This alternative highlights the presence of a constitution and republican principles.

civic participation

This alternative emphasizes the act of citizens engaging in governance.

FAQs

How to use "democracy" in a sentence?

You can use "democracy" to refer to a system of government by the people, typically through elected representatives. For example, "The country transitioned to a democracy after years of authoritarian rule."

What's the difference between "democracy" and "republic"?

"Democracy" emphasizes popular sovereignty, while "republic" stresses governance through elected representatives. A democratic system may not always be a republic, and vice versa, though they often overlap.

What are some key characteristics of a "democracy"?

Key characteristics include free and fair elections, protection of civil liberties, rule of law, an independent judiciary, and a vibrant civil society.

What can I say instead of "democracy"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "popular rule", "self-government", or "representative government".