What is democracy? Democracy means Government by the people. The word comes from the ancient Greek words "demos" (people) and "Kratos" (to rule). A democratic country has a system of Government in which people have the power to participate in decision-making. Every democracy is unique and works in different ways. In some democracies, citizens contribute directly to decision-making by voting on laws and policy proposals (direct democracy). In other countries like Australia, citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf (representative democracy).

1. What is the problem with
democracy?

2. Democracy is not always perfect and has been criticized
for many reasons. Some of the most common
complaints about democracy are
Only some people exercise their right to vote. In some
countries, such as Australia, voting in certain elections is
required by law, while other democracies do not.

3. In democracies, everyone has the right to vote (from a
certain age), but not everyone has the right to vote. For
example, in the 2016 US presidential election, only 55%
of voting-age citizens voted.
Only some have the right to vote. Some democracies
have laws that prohibit some people from voting. For
example, the National Representation Act of 1983
prohibits convicted people from voting in prison in the
United Kingdom.

4. Decisions can take a long time. Changing laws and
making national decisions must go through various
stages of approval before they come into force. It often
takes a long time to implement what people want. For
example, in the United States, there is an extensive
process by which a bill (the first bill before it is passed)
must be approved by multiple levels of Government,
including government committees, legislators, officials,
and the executive branch.

5. Only some people who vote are well-informed. Ordinary
citizens are asked to vote on substantive issues or who
should make decisions, but everyone has the expertise
necessary to understand their votes' impact fully. It
doesn't mean there is. And, of course, even during
election campaigns, politicians often spread
misinformation, making it difficult to get enough
information. After the vote, GoogleTrends saw a spike in
searches about what would happen if the UK left.

6. Why is democracy important for young people?
Those who vote help shape the world. Politicians in all
countries have a long history of ignoring young people
and focusing on policies that benefit older people, as
older people are much more likely to vote. In the 2019
UK general election, 74% of those aged 65 and over
voted, compared to just 47% of those aged 18-24.
Politicians can therefore look at these numbers and
decide either:

7. Develop policies that benefit 2.6 million people in
politics from 18 to 24.
Entering politics, he formulates policies that benefit
nine million people over.
65. They could choose number two to maximize their
chances of winning next time. I hope governments
realize that they need to do something. In the United
States, England, and Northern Ireland, you must be 18 or
older to vote. In Scotland and Wales, 16 can vote (but 18
in UK elections). But in a democracy, you can make your
voice heard from a young age. For example:

8. In the UK, organizations such as the British Youth
Council encourage young people to get involved in
issues that affect them. They help people under 25 make
a difference locally, nationally, and internationally.
Generation Citizen in the US is pursuing a similar
approach. Wajid khan says they help young people
acquire the skills they need to participate in democracy.
The Spanish Youth Council (Consejo de la Juventud de
España, CJE) allows young people to participate
politically, socially, economically, and actively.