by Daniel Hicks

Created on: January 16, 2007   Last Updated: May 16, 2007

Democracy is not as easy to define as one might think. There are different forms. In order to simplify, two major types of democracy should be discussed.

In simple terms, democracy is rule by the people. The citizens of a state make decisions collectively and the majority's decision rules. This is considered direct democracy. The problem lies in the discrepancy between majority rule and minority rights. This idea is what the founders of the United States feared. They were vary leery of direct democracy. These founders warned of sweeping attitudes. One may consider the Salem Witch Trials as an example of this.

In order to avoid such, these men instituted what is considered a republican form of democracy. The people elect other citizens to represent their interests. The people do not loose their power to govern as long as they actively participate in the system. If one's representative is not making decisions reflecting his or her attitude, then that citizen has the right to vote for different representative in the next election. Participation is open to all citizens and can be as simple as casting a vote or running for office themselves.

In this system,citizens assign their rights to the government for protection of those rights. The central government,often in theory, keeps majority rule form overpowering minority rights. If the government ever becomes detrimental to its citizen's rights, then the people have the right to abolish the government in order to form a new government of the people that will protect the natural rights of life, liberty and property, as written in John Locke's Second Treatise of Government.This is the social contract theory oversimplified.

Even in republican governments, citizens still have the right to bring issues directly to the table by using initiatives and referendums. Initiatives are often used in the state of California, for example. This allows citizens to bring topics to a public vote without having to have a representative introduce legislation to the legislature on their behalf. The requirements for initiatives and referendums vary form local government to local government.

To understand democracy is more difficult than this article attempts to make it. With every new complicated issue, the rules change. Whether direct or republican the definition of democracy changes from place to place and especially over time.

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