Year 8 Commerce Brian Jacob Political systems of democracy and republic History of Democracy Definition of Democracy * When looked up In the dictionary the word democracy comes up with the meaning "the government by people. " * Democracy Is a form of government * It is when everyone gets to participate equally either directly or through elected representatives. * It is a political system where all the members of the society have an equal share of formal political power * Democracy was best explained by Abraham Lincoln when he said "..

. At this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom - and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth" Origins of Democracy Democracy traces back to as early as in Ancient Athens, but there is evidence that it existed before. Different types of Democracy There are many types of democracy which are all different.Some examples of different types of democracy are: Direct Democracy- a democracy where people vote directly on policy initiatives * also known as pure democracy Two leading forms of direct democracy are participatory democracy and deliberative democracy * The earliest known direct democracy is said to be the Athenian Democracy in the century * * Constitutional Democracy- also known as liberal democracy, * Representative Democracy- * Multi party Democracy- * E-Democracy- Democracy in Australia Main features of democracy In Australia Main features include: * Freedom * Equality * Australia is a bicameral Parliament * Two houses, the House of Representatives and the Senate