Democracy, literally “rule by the people,” is derived from the Greek words ‘Demos’ (people) and ‘Kratia’ (rule). Democracy is a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people. In some forms, democracy can be exercised directly by the people; in large societies or groups, it is exercised by the people through their elected representatives. In democracy, power is vested in the hands of the people, and decisions are made by their will and consent. It ensures freedom and equality.

What is Democracy?

1. A system for choosing and replacing the government through free and fair elections.

2. Active participation of the people, as citizens, in politics and civil life.

3. Protection of the human rights of all citizens.

4. A rule of law in which the laws and procedures apply equally to all citizens.

Definition
According to Black’s Law Dictionary:
“Government by the people, either directly or through representatives elected by the people.”

According to Prof. C. D. Burns:
“Democracy is a word with many meanings and some emotional color.”

According to the Oxford English Dictionary:
“Democracy is a system of government by the whole population, run usually through elected representatives.”

According to Prof. Seeley:
“Democracy is that form of government in which everybody has a share.”

According to Dicey:
“Democracy is a form of government in which the governing body is a comparatively large fraction of the entire nation.”

Kinds/Types of Democracy:
There are two types of democracy:

1. Direct Democracy
   In a direct system of democracy, citizens have direct political participation, as was the practice in states with a limited population. Even today, certain devices of direct democracy exist in the form of initiative, referendum, and recall, especially in Switzerland.

2. Indirect Democracy
   In this system, citizens elect their representatives to shoulder the responsibilities of government. The representatives are answerable to the people.

Characteristics (Basic Injunctions)

1. Civil Rights
   In a democratic system, people enjoy political participation. In the ancient Greek city-states, political rights were secured by a small faction of a very limited population, while slaves and resident aliens were deprived of the rights of citizenship. In modern democracy, all citizens enjoy equal civil and political rights.

2. Change in Government
   In a democratic government system, no class or group has a permanent claim to political power. Change in government is regarded as an essential feature, made possible through free and regular elections. The tenure of government is fixed, and after the expiry of that period, the representatives must go to the people to seek a fresh mandate.

3. Political Accountability
   The people’s representatives exercise political power but are also accountable to the electorate. In every system, proper devices are adopted to make the government accountable to the people.

4. Majority Rule
   All decisions in a democratic system are taken on the basis of the majority principle, and all such decisions are regarded as the manifestation of the popular will. Aristotle said that when the people participate in politics and discussion, better decisions can be arrived at.

5. Freedom of Expression
   Freedom of expression is regarded as the backbone of the modern democratic system. The formulation and expression of public opinion are made possible through the recognition of this right. Healthy criticism against government policies is considered essential for the successful working of democracy.

6. Political Parties
   Political parties are an integral part of democracy. Modern politics revolves around political parties. Political parties form public opinion, educate the masses, and try to capture political power within constitutional limits. Hence, the will of the people can be transformed into public policies through organized collective efforts. Modern representative democracy can’t work effectively in the absence of political parties.

Merits of Democracy

1. The participation of individual members in the government facilitates enlistment of their sympathy and cooperation for the success of the government.

2. It is an effective form to educate the public about political, economic, and social affairs.

3. It promotes patriotism among the people and prevents violent revolutions.

4. It helps to make progress and development and enables changes to take place in a peaceful manner.

5. It ensures to the people freedom of speech, conscience, assembly, and action.

6. It guarantees liberty and equality, which are necessary for human development.

Demerits of Democracy

1. It sometimes leads to the establishment of the majority view over the minority view.

2. Party leaders and political officeholders in government control the citizens and the members of the party.

3. It does not encourage individuals to give their opinions.

4. It is a very expensive form of government because elections have to be conducted periodically for various offices.

5. It is difficult to prevent corruption and malpractices.

6. It is also known as government by amateurs and may lead to the domination of the masses.

Islamic Concept of Democracy
The term Khilafat also makes it abundantly clear that no individual or dynasty or class can be Khilafah, but that the authority of caliphate is bestowed on any community that accepts the principles of Tawhid and Risalat. In such a society, each individual shares in the Allah-given caliphate. This is where democracy begins in Islam.
Every person in an Islamic society enjoys the rights and powers of the caliphate of Allah, and in this respect, all individuals are equal. No one can deprive anyone of his rights and powers. The agency for running the affairs of the state will be established according to the will of these individuals, and the authority of the state will only be an extension of the powers of the individual delegated to it.
Their opinion will be decisive in the formation of the government, which will be run with their advice and in accordance with their wishes. Whoever gains their confidence will carry out the duties of the caliphate on their behalf, and when he loses this confidence, he will have to relinquish his office. In this respect, the political system in Islam is as perfect a democracy as can ever be.

Islamic Democracy vs. Western Democracy
What distinguishes Islamic democracy from Western democracy is that while the latter is based on the concept of popular sovereignty, the former rests on the principle of popular Khilafat. In Western democracy, the people are sovereign, but in Islam, sovereignty is vested in Allah, and the people are His caliphs or representatives. In Western democracy, the people make their own laws, whereas in Islamic democracy, people must follow and obey the laws (Shari‘ah) given by Allah through His Prophet (SAW).
Western democracy is a kind of absolute authority that exercises its powers in a free and uncontrolled manner, whereas Islamic democracy is subservient to the Divine Law and exercises its authority in accordance with the injunctions of Allah and within the limits prescribed by Him.