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UNIT-III : cIVIcS
chapter 16 Democracy

Democracy means the government by people. The people

are all supreme and sovereign and nobody is above them.
Through the medium of elections, they can change any
government they like. Abraham Lincoln, the American

President, has given the best definition of democracy.
According to him – “Democracy is the government of the
people, by the people and for the people”.

Types of Democracy

Democracy is generally divided into two categories :

1. Direct democracy
2. Indirect or representative democracy

1. Direct Democracy : Direct democracy is a system in which all adult people elect their
representatives directly in a mass meeting. All the decisions are taken in general

assembly, laws are passed, appointments are made and taxes are assessed in the
assembly where all the citizens attend and cast their votes.
2. Indirect or Representative Democracy : Indirect or
representative democracy is a system in which all adult
people elect their representative through voting done by

a secret ballot. Under this system, if representatives,
who conduct the affairs of the state fail to work
according to the wishes of the voters, they are liable
to be removed through ballot in the next election. This
form of democracy exists in India, England, the USA and A Voter Exercising his Franchise on an
France. Electronic Voting Machine

Difference beTween DirecT anD inDirecT Democracy

The difference between direct and indirect democracy is fairly simple. In a direct democracy, citizens
make decisions directly by proposing laws or referendums on laws which are disliked, voting to determine
who enters public office, and recalling public officials who are not doing their jobs.

An indirect democracy, on the other hand, uses a small group of officials to make decisions
of importance on behalf of their constituents. In both the cases, the input of the people is
the cornerstone of the government.

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