Democracy

Democracy, a term derived from the Greek words 'demos' meaning 'people' and 'kratos' meaning 'power,' represents a governance system in which power ultimately resides with the citizenry. It is characterized by core principles such as political participation, equality, accountability, and the protection of human rights, which ensure that every individual has a meaningful voice in the political process. As one of the most influential and widely embraced forms of government, democracy enables citizens to engage not only through voting in free and fair elections but also through active civic involvement, public debate, and peaceful protest. In contemporary discourse, democratic systems are crucial for sustaining individual freedoms while balancing collective welfare. Recently, the global landscape of democracy has faced unprecedented challenges, with the International IDEA Global State of Democracy report indicating that over half of the assessed nations have experienced a decline in key democratic pillars, including Representation, Rights, and Rule of Law. This deterioration highlights growing authoritarianism and the erosion of civil liberties, even in established democracies. Nonetheless, despite these difficulties, democracy remains a vital aspiration worldwide, inspiring movements for political change and advocating for inclusive representation across diverse populations. The role of citizens in this ongoing struggle is paramount, necessitating their participation to safeguard the foundations of democratic governance and combat receding freedoms.