Democracy: understand what it is and what its role throughout history

The word "democracy" is familiar to many people, but the concept behind it is still misunderstood. Even so, the ideals that constitute it are part of much of the history of expression human intellectual: from Pericles, in Athens, to the various declarations of independence that followed.

According to the definition of dictionaries, the term means. “a government made by the people, in which all power is exercised by them or by. their elected representatives, under the guise of a free electoral system”. There is. also whoever defines democracy as a government “of the people, by the people and. for the people”.

Democracy in antiquity

Its emergence took place in Ancient Greece, in the city-states. in force. It was during the first millennium before Christ that it hit her. political heyday in the city of Athens.

The word originated from the joining of two terms: demo — which means people — and cracia — which means government. Therefore, the term democracy literally means “government of the people” (or even the government of many).

The pillars of classical democracy, as it is known a. democracy in antiquity are found in the way decisions were made. government officials at that time: all citizens participated in this process, if. meeting in assemblies.

It is noteworthy that, at that time, they were considered. citizens only free men; being that slaves and women were. excluded from this group. One of his main ideals is that the people have plenty. ability to govern itself is present even in society. modern, remains the foundation of current democratic practices.

Democracy in the modern (contemporary) era

Contemporary democracy was born in the transition period of. its practice in city-states for its full application in territories. national: the States. As much as she still has a base similar to yours. classic version, both are opposite in many ways.

Contemporary democracy, for example, has as one of. its demands the existence of a constitution as well as equality says. prevails above the law. Other crucial concepts for democracy. contemporary are:

• There must be individual rights and freedoms;
• There is a need for the existence of rights. human rights and laws that enforce and secure them;
• The government needs to be transparent.

Contemporary democracy still carries with it the fact that. enable the existence of independent media vehicles and institutions. government.

Types of Democracy

Democracy affects people from different ethnic groups e. social; therefore, it allows itself to be subdivided into types. Below we brought the. main among them.

racial democracy

This is a term used to designate the relationships between. breeds in Brazil. The term is related to the belief that the country got rid of. racism and racial discrimination, based on what is contained in the constitution. federal.

direct democracy

Its direct application is thus classified when the people vote. directly with regard to laws and other topics relevant to society. that are being proposed. This type of application is present in. small nations, since in this way their maintenance becomes less complex.

Some of its elementary features are:

• All persons belonging to the nation in question. participate directly in decision-making that reach the national level;
• All people in the community come together, discuss relevant topics and, in this way, dialogue and make decisions;
• The legislature is made up of the entire. community.

Indirect (representative) democracy

In its indirect form, the term is associated with the election of. constitutional representatives, who vote on the laws on behalf of the people.

Some of its elementary features are:

• In this form of exercise, reps. elected by the people are chosen to govern the country;
• Those who were chosen or elected by. people must carry the feelings, pains and problems that surround them. those whom they represent;
• These elected representatives form the largest. part of the Government and together they form part of the legislature.

presidential democracy

This type is classified this way thanks to the way it is. exercised: by the election of a president. The election of the president can take place. both directly and indirectly.

The president and the executive branch of the government are not. linked to the legislature (Legislative Branch); however, under circumstances. normal, it should not interfere with your interests. Likewise, a. legislature cannot remove the president from his post, with the exception of cases. extremes.

parliamentary democracy

In this form of government, power is largely concentrated. part, in the hands of the Legislative Power (parliament). Since the whole. legitimacy of the executive branch derives from it. Here, the Head of State is. different from the Head of Government, both of which vary in degrees of power; however, in many cases, the Head of Government is a monarch or a Head of the. Ceremonial.

Democracy in Brazil

Democracy in Brazil has gone through many ups and downs to. over the years and had two forces of democratization: the first, established in. 1946 with the arrival of the New Republic, and the second, in 1984, when it was. consolidated the new federal constitution (which entered into force on October 5, 1988).

Democracy and dictatorship: understand the differences

The opposite of a democratic political regime is a regime. dictatorial, and these have solid differences between them. Knowing them is. fundamental, and you can check what they are below:

Democratic regime:

• The leader responds to his political party and to. people;
• Different views are represented;
• The media is free to criticize the government;
• Individual and civic freedom.

Dictatorship:

• The leader has full control over the party e. nation;
• The Government controls all aspects of the State;
• All material released by the media goes through. evaluation by Government representatives, so that they are or not. released to the public;
• Elements of citizens' lives are. standardized by the Government.

Conclusion

Democracy has followed human history since antiquity. It has undergone structural and organizational changes to meet the needs of different peoples. Its most striking feature is the fact that in it the people are the main constitutional foundation, either acting directly in decision-making or electing its representatives through the vote.

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