What is democracy?

Democracy means rule by the people. But how can millions of people all take part in running a country?

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Rule by the people

The word democracy comes from Greek words meaning people and power or rule.
In a direct democracy, citizens vote on every decision themselves. Ancient Athens used this for its male citizens.
In a representative democracy, citizens elect representatives to make decisions for them. The UK is a representative democracy: we elect MPs, councillors and others.

Signs of a democracy

Democracies usually have: free and fair elections, held regularly, with a secret ballot; more than one political party; a free media that can criticise the government; the rule of law, with independent courts; and protected rights, such as freedom of speech.
A referendum is a vote by the people on one question. The UK has held referendums, for example on leaving the European Union in 2016.

Other systems

Not every country is a democracy.
In an absolute monarchy, a king or queen holds all the power.
In a dictatorship, one person or group rules without free elections, and opponents may be punished.
The UK is a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy: the monarch is head of state, but elected MPs and the government make the decisions.
Worked example

A town of 80,000 people needs to decide hundreds of things a year. Explain why it uses representative democracy, not direct democracy.

  1. In a direct democracy every citizen would vote on every decision.
  2. With 80,000 people and hundreds of decisions, that would be slow and hard to organise.
  3. Electing a few representatives to study the issues and decide is more practical.

Answer: Because it is impractical for 80,000 people to vote on everything; elected representatives decide on their behalf.

Key idea

Democracy means rule by the people. In a direct democracy people vote on decisions; in a representative democracy they elect people to decide. The UK is a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy.

Key words
Democracy
Rule by the people, usually by electing representatives in free and fair elections.
Representative democracy
A democracy where citizens elect representatives to make decisions for them.
Constitutional monarchy
A system where a monarch is head of state but elected politicians make the decisions, following the rules of the constitution.
Ballot
A vote, usually secret. A ballot paper is the paper on which you mark your vote.
Political party
An organisation of people with shared views who try to win elections to put their ideas into action.
Rule of law
The principle that everyone, including the government, must obey the law, and the law applies equally to all.

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Extra practice

2 more questions

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  1. The word democracy comes from Greek. What do its two parts, demos and kratos, mean?

    1. People and power
    2. King and law
    3. Army and rule
    4. Money and power
    Show the answer

    Answer: People and power

    Demos means the people and kratos means power or rule, so democracy is rule by the people.

  2. In the UK, who makes most decisions on behalf of citizens?

    1. Every citizen votes on every law
    2. The army
    3. The monarch alone
    4. Elected representatives, such as MPs
    Show the answer

    Answer: Elected representatives, such as MPs

    The UK is a representative democracy. Citizens elect MPs to decide for them.

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Sources and references

Checked by the GCSE-ready editorial team, 23 October 2026. Last updated 2 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we will fix it.