Democracy

n. government run by the people of the country; country with such a government; society characterized by equal rights and privileges

Democracy describes small number of related forms of government. The fundamental feature is competitive elections. Competitive elections are usually seen to require freedom of speech (especially in political affairs), freedom of the press, and some degree of rule of law.  Civilian control of the military is often seen as necessary to prevent military dictatorship and interference with political affairs.
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Noun
1. the political orientation of those who favor government by the people or by their elected representatives
(hypernym) political orientation, ideology, political theory
(derivation) democratize, democratise
2. a political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them
(synonym) republic, commonwealth
(antonym) autocracy, autarchy
(hypernym) political system, form of government
(hyponym) Weimar Republic
(derivation) democratize, democratise
3. the doctrine that the numerical majority of an organized group can make decisions binding on the whole group
(synonym) majority rule
(hypernym) doctrine, philosophy, philosophical system, school of thought, ism

(n.)
The principles and policy of the Democratic party, so called.
  

(n.)
Government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is retained and directly exercised by the people.
  

(n.)
Government by popular representation; a form of government in which the supreme power is retained by the people, but is indirectly exercised through a system of representation and delegated authority periodically renewed; a constitutional representative government; a republic.
  

(n.)
Collectively, the people, regarded as the source of government.
  

A form of government in which power ultimately rests with the people, either directly or through elected representatives. (See Fundamental rights, External dimension)