This document defines democracy and discusses its key types and characteristics. It notes democracy comes from Greek roots meaning "rule by the people" and can be direct or indirect/representative. Representative democracy is defined as having citizens at least one step removed from decision-making but voting in free elections. The document also outlines advantages like liberty, equality, and self-government, and disadvantages such as potential voter laziness, inefficiency if people are not equal, parties misguiding voters, and complexity leading to governmental waste.

1. Topics to be covered:
5.10.1Definition of democracy
5.10.2 Types of democracy
5.10.2.1 Direct democracy
5.10.2.2 Indirect/representative democracy
5.10.3 Characteristics of democracy
5.10.4 Advantages and disadvantages
CHAPTER 10
DEMOCRACY

2.  The word ‘democracy’ is derived from 2
Greek roots, demos = people & kratia = rule
 Thus, democracy means rule by the people.
This is the form of government where the
people rule themselves directly or indirectly
through their representatives
 Abraham Lincoln: a government of the
people, by the people and for the people
 Seeley: a government in which everyone has
a share

3. 1) The ultimate power to make political
decisions is vested in all the people
2) Each adult citizen has the same opportunity
as every other adult citizen to participate
in the decision making process. This means
“1 person, 1 vote” – the freedom to choose
from alternatives
3) Public policies are made only after
ascertaining the wishes of the people
4) All political decisions must be made
according to the wishes of the majority

5.  Have a number things in common which
includes:
1) Citizens are at least 1 place removed from
actual decision making
2) Elected representatives stand in place of or
act in behalf of voters
3) Free competitive elections at all/ most levels
of govt as a symbol of the sovereignty of the
people & way of holding leaders accountable
4) Elections as an efficient & effective way of
organizing political succession

6. 1) Democracy ensures both liberty & equality
 No 1 possessed special privileges
 All are equal
2) Implies recognition of the duties of the govt
& the rights of the people
 Thus, popular election, popular control &
popular responsibility are more likely to
ensure a greater degree of efficiency &
welfare than any other system of govt

7. 3) Ensure self-government
 A govt by the people for their welfare &
thus, it stimulates them to self-education
4) Believed in methods of peaceful persuasion
& rational argument
 A democratic society is not liable to
revolution

8. 1) Men may be ‘lazy’ in politics
 He might not be intelligent/ is not sufficiently
educated
 Thus, the problem is to find among them the best
men to lead them
2) Democracy is inefficient as a form of govt
 It is based on assumption that all men are equal
& than 1 man is as good as another. However,
men are not equal as they might be different in
term of physical & mental ability. The
representative chosen may not be suitable but
they still rule because of majority

9. 3) Party system
 Election propaganda misguides & miseducate the
people.
 People vote for the party & not for the
candidate, so representative follows what the
party wants, instead of what people wants
4) Expensive form of govt
 Governmental machinery is complex & its
functions involve much waste of time & money

10. 3) Party system
 Election propaganda misguides & miseducate the
people.
 People vote for the party & not for the
candidate, so representative follows what the
party wants, instead of what people wants
4) Expensive form of govt
 Governmental machinery is complex & its
functions involve much waste of time & money