Feb 16 Daily

                 I would define democracy as a system of government in which citizens of the state have an equal and effective say in the running of that state.  In a democratic nation, one person or group does not control the government, but rather the people themselves.  Elections and voting occur often to maintain stability and avoid corruption.  I think the definition of democracy has changed since ancient times.  In ancient Athens, not everyone had the opportunity to participate in the democracy.  Adult men were the citizens who voted in elections.  Additionally, only men who had completed their military training were permitted to vote.  Women were not included.  Now, in ancient Athenian times, this was definitely a new concept.  So, giving any common citizens a say in any political movement would be a great advancement; however, today’s definition of democracy includes all citizens having the right to speak out, speak up, and vote for leaders and political movements.  I commend the Athenians for first introducing this concept of democracy, but in my opinion, it does not live up to the modern definition of democracy.  In our nation, democracy is a key component of our government and the running of it.  Every citizen of the United States has the right to vote and participate in democracy.  Living in a nation with such democratic values and standards, it makes it hard to consider a society in which certain citizens have the right to vote a democracy.  The Athenian government system did have some aspects of a democracy, but I do not believe that it meets today’s definition of democracy.