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BA 1st Semester – Political Theory, Assistant Professor. Chanmiki War, Northeast Adventist College, , Unit - VI, CONCEPT OF DEMOCRACY, The word democracy has been derived from the two Latin words 'Demos' and ‘Cratia’. ‘Demos’ means people and, ‘Cratia’ means power. In this way, it means the power of the people. As such democracy may be defined as that, form of government in which the supreme power rest with the people. According to Sealey, “Democracy is a, government in which everyone has a share”. Abraham Lincoln defined Democracy as a "government of the people,, by the people and for the people ". It has become a universal popular definition. In the words of Lord Bryce,, "Democracy is that form of government in which the ruling power of a state is largely vested not in any particular, class or classes but in the members of the community as a whole"., In simple words Democracy is a form of government in which the final power rest will the people. In, such a system the people have full control over the rulers. In this form of government, every adult man and woman, has the right to participate in the organisation of the government of the state. The functions of the people is not only, to obey the laws or orders of the state but also to participate in the process of determination of public policy. The, duty of the government is to work for protecting the interests of all the people, which also include the people, belonging to minority communities., , THREE DIMENSIONS / ASPECTS OF DEMOCRACY, 1) Political Dimensions (Democratic State and Government): In its political dimensions, Democracy is a form of governance. However a distinction is made between Democratic state and, Democratic government. A democratic state is one in which the supreme power rest with the people and the, people exercises this power by adopting a desired form of government, by electing their representatives who, exercise the governing power on their behalf and by giving the final verdict on public issues. The, Communists give a particular meaning to the democratic government and hold it to be the ideal form of, government. They regard a socialist state, in which there is dictatorship of the proletariat, as the ideal, democratic state. However a communist democracy is not regarded as a true democracy by all the supporters, of democracy., , 2) Social Dimension (Democratic Society) : A democratic government can function and prosper only in, a democratic society and such a society is that in which all the human beings are treated as equal and all, enjoy the right to equality as well as equal rights and freedom for all. Each individual is regarded as the core, of society and no discrimination is made on the basis of caste, colour, creed, religion, place of birth or sex., Equal citizenship and equal opportunities for development are guaranteed to all.. There is absence of a, privileged class of persons. As, Mr. Wolfe points out, "A democratic society is that society which is, characterised by liberty, equality, justice and fraternity and in which all the people act judiciously and, actively for guiding their own destinies and ways of life and in which no one tries to prescribe these things, for others". In other words a democratic society is known by the presence of a social and economic equality., , 3) Economic Dimension (Economic democracy): A political and social democracy should always be, accompanied with economic democracy. The former can never be complete and successful without the latter., Economic democracy means the presence of economic equality i.e the absence of widespread economic, inequalities and the absence of concentration of wealth, income and resources into few hands. Economic, democracy stands for economic equality which means an equitable distribution of wealth and resources. It, means the existence of equal opportunities for the development of all and adequate means of livelihood for, all. Each one should be in a position to meet his basic economic needs and the gap between the rich and the, poor should not be wide or intense. Economic power should not stand centralized in any class or a group of, people. It also involves the concept of workers participation in management and the presence of well, organised well functioning economic associations and groups of the people. Economic democracy alone can, ensure social democracy and in turn the two together can ensure political democracy., All the above three dimensions of democracy are interrelated and interdependent. In a complete and, developed system of democracy the three dimensions are simultaneously present, and are in action.