The Spirit of the Revolution : Democracy 101

". . . I did not realize that by being there, by speaking, I helped people. I said of course, that there must be forgiveness in our hearts. Whenever I was invited by the Knights of Columbus, they asked me, 'Is there any bitterness in your heart?' I said: 'No, I have forgiven, because if we cannot forgive, we can never have peace in our hearts . . ."

Aurora A. Aquino
Mother of Benigno Aquino

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Democracy

Government by the people exercised either directly or through elected representatives.
A political unit that has such a government.
Majority rule.
The principles of social equality and respect for the individual within a community.

Freedom

The condition of being free.
a. Political independence.
b. Possession of civil rights.
Ease of movement.
Frankness or boldness.
Unrestricted use or access.

Democracy

Government in which the PEOPLE hold the ruling powers either directly or through elected representatives

Democratic Centralism

A system of centralizing power around democracy

Aristotelian Democracy (Participatory Democracy)

A system of governing in which most or all of the citizens participate directly by either holding an office or helping to make policy. A town meeting is an example of participatory democracy.

Representative Democracy

Leaders acquire power by means of competitive struggle for people's votes. Like activists or interests groups that help make policies.