Democracy

U.S. president Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) defined democracy as:

Government of the people, by the people, for the people
Democracy is by far the most challenging form of government - both for politicians and for the
people. The term democracy comes from the Greek language and means "rule by the (simple) people".
The so-called "democracies" in classical antiquity (Athens and Rome) represent precursors of modern
democracies. Like modern democracy, they were created as a reaction to a concentration and abuse of
power by the rulers. Yet the theory of modern democracy was not formulated until the Age of Enlightment
(17th/18th centuries), when philosophers defined the essential elements of democracy: separation of
powers, basic civil rights / human rights, religious liberty and separation of church and state.

Democracy - Modern Definition

Because the definition of the term democracy opposite to monarchy and aristocracy rather creates
confusion with regard to constitutional monarchies instead of establishing clarity, it is more appropriate to
define democracy opposite to authoritarian and totalitarian regimes:
Democracy
Totalitarian
regime

Authoritarian
regime
Theocracy

Form of government, where a constitution guarantees basic personal and political rights, fair and
free elections, and independent courts of law.
Government by a little group of leaders on the basis of an ideology, that claims general validity for
all aspects of life and usually attempts to replace religion. The regime does not tolerate any
deviation from its state ideology. Regime opponents are persecuted, tortured, detained in
concentration camps and members of ethnic minorities are killed in mass executions (genocide).
Historic examples of totalitarian regimes include: National Socialism (Germany under Hitler,
1933-1945) and Stalinism.
Government by a little group of leaders. In contrast to totalitarian regimes, authoritarian regimes
have no distinct state ideology and grant some amount of freedom (e.g. economic and cultural) as
long as their rule is not jeopardized. The most important goal of authoritarian regimes is the
maintenance of power and the personal enrichment on cost of the country and its population.
"Government by God": in reality this means government by religious leaders. Usually a certain
interpretation of ancient religious laws replaces modern forms of law and is enforced with utmost
severity.
Example: Islamic Republic of Iran.

Democracy - Key Elements

In order to deserve the label modern democracy, a country needs to fulfill some basic
requirements - and they need not only be written down in it's constitution but must be kept up in
everyday life by politicians and authorities: person, one vote)

Good

Guarantee of basic Human Rights to every individual person vis--vis the state and its
authorities as well as vis--vis any social groups (especially religious institutions) and vis--vis
other persons.

Separation of Powers between the institutions of the state:

Government [Executive Power],
Parliament [Legislative Power] und
Courts of Law [Judicative Power]

Freedom of opinion, speech, press and massmedia

Religious liberty