democracy

n.

1. Government through representation

   popular government, republic, commonwealth, representative government, constitutional government, direct democracy, government by the people, self-government, majority rule, tyranny of the majority*; see also government 2.

2. A way of life providing extensive personal rights

   justice, the greatest good for the greatest number, equality before the law, popular suffrage, equalitarianism, egalitarianism, republicanism, constitutionalism, parliamentarianism, individual enterprise, laissez faire, rugged individualism, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, the right to work, emancipation, political equality, democratic spirit, social equality, the Four Freedoms*, the American Way*; see also capitalism, equality, freedom 1.

   Antonyms autocracy*, dictatorship*, feudalism.