Democracy
High School
Definition
A system of government in which power ultimately rests with the people, who exercise it directly or through elected representatives. Democratic values include equality, freedom, rule of law, and respect for individual rights.
Worked examples
The United States uses representative democracy, where citizens vote for members of Congress and a President to make laws and govern on their behalf.
Power rests with the people through regular elections and elected representatives.
Ancient Athens practiced direct democracy, where male citizens gathered in the Assembly to debate and vote directly on laws and policies.
Citizens exercised power directly rather than through representatives.
Common mistakes
- Democracy means everyone votes on every law and decision. → Most democracies are representative — citizens elect leaders to make decisions. Direct democracy is rare; most modern democracies use elected representatives to govern.
- Democracy is just about majority rule, so the majority can do whatever it wants. → Democracy includes protecting individual rights and freedoms, even for minorities. Democratic values include rule of law and respect for rights, not unlimited majority power.
- A country with elections is automatically a democracy. → True democracy requires free and fair elections, rule of law, and protection of rights. Elections alone don't guarantee democracy if they lack fairness, freedom, or legal protections.
Where you'll use it next
You'll apply democracy when studying different government systems, analyzing the U.S. Constitution and civic participation, exploring human rights movements, and comparing authoritarian regimes to democratic nations in later history and civics courses.
See also
Forms of GovernmentVoting and ElectionsElectoral SystemRule of LawRights and FreedomsCivic Engagement
Reviewed by Pat Cheng, M.Ed. — StudyPug Curriculum Lead · Last updated June 6, 2026