Legal Literacy - Democracy is the foundation of Indonesian political life. This article discusses the meaning of democracy, its history in Indonesia, its main principles, and the various types of democracy that exist. Also, learn about the benefits and challenges of democracy for the Indonesian people.

The Meaning of Democracy

Democracy is a system of government in which the people have the power to make decisions and determine the direction of the country. The word "democracy" comes from the Greek language, namely "demos" which means people and "kratos" which means government.

Here are some definitions of democracy according to experts:

  • Abraham Lincoln: "Government of the people, by the people, and for the people."
  • C.F. Strong: "A system of government in which the majority of adult members of a political society participate on the basis of a representative system which guarantees that the government is ultimately accountable to that majority."
  • John Stuart Mill: "A government in which all citizens, men and women, who have reached adulthood, have the right to vote and be elected to the legislature."
  • Harold J. Laski: "Democracy is a form of government in which the people have the power to make decisions that bind them all."
  • Sidney Verba: "Democracy is a political system in which adult citizens have the right to elect their leaders and to make decisions about how they want to be governed."
  • Joseph Schumpeter: "Democracy is a method for selecting political leaders, in which individuals gain the power to make decisions through a competitive election process."
  • Robert A. Dahl: "Democracy is a political system in which the people have an equal opportunity to influence government decisions."
  • Larry Diamond: "Democracy is a set of rules and practices that allow people to participate in political decision-making."
  • Amartya Sen: "Democracy is a system of government that gives people the freedom to choose and evaluate political alternatives."
  • Francis Fukuyama: "Democracy is the best form of government because it allows people to control their government."

From the above definitions, it can be concluded that democracy is:

  • A system of government in which the people have power.
  • A system of government in which the people have the right to elect their leaders.
  • A system of government in which the people have the right to make decisions about how they want to be governed.
  • A system of government in which the people have the right to participate in the political process.