The word democracy comes from the Greek word “dēmokratía,” which is a combination of two words: “dēmos,” meaning “people,” and “kratos,” meaning “rule” or “power.” The term was first used in ancient Greece, where it referred to a system of government in which the people had a direct say in decision-making.

The concept of democracy has been around for thousands of years and was first used in ancient Greece in the 5th century BCE. The city-state of Athens is often cited as the birthplace of democracy, where the citizens participated in direct democracy through the Assembly but was the  was limited, as it only applied to male citizens and excluded women, slaves, and foreigners.

Many philosophers throughout history have offered their own definitions and theories of democracy. Here are a few notable ones:

Plato: Plato believed that democracy was the worst form of government, as it gave too much power to the ignorant masses who lacked the wisdom and knowledge necessary to govern themselves. He believed that only a wise philosopher-king could govern justly.

Aristotle: Aristotle saw democracy as a system in which the many rule for the common good. He believed that democracy was the best form of government, as long as it was well-regulated and the majority respected the rights of minorities.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau: Rousseau believed in the idea of the “general will,” which he saw as the collective will of the people. He believed that true democracy could only be achieved when citizens participated directly in the decision-making process and put the general will above their own individual interests.

John Stuart Mill: Mill believed that democracy was the best form of government, as it allowed for the fullest expression of individual liberty and creativity. He also stressed the importance of protecting the rights of minorities and promoting equality of opportunity.

Robert Dahl: Dahl was a modern political scientist who defined democracy as a system in which citizens have the ability to participate equally in the decision-making process and have the freedom to express their opinions and preferences. He emphasized the importance of free and fair elections, the rule of law, and protection of individual rights and freedoms.

There are several key features of a democracy that are generally agreed upon by political scientists and theorists. These include:

Free and Fair Elections: Democratic societies allow citizens to participate in free and fair elections to choose their leaders and representatives. Elections must be held on a regular basis, and citizens should be able to vote freely without fear of coercion or intimidation.

Rule of Law: Democratic societies are governed by the rule of law, which means that laws are applied equally to all citizens, regardless of their status or wealth. The legal system should be independent and impartial, and citizens should have access to legal protections and remedies.
Separation of Powers: Democracies have a system of checks and balances, with power divided among different branches of government to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful. This includes an independent judiciary, a legislative branch that creates laws, and an executive branch that implements and enforces them.

Civil Liberties: Democracies protect the civil liberties and human rights of all citizens, including freedom of speech, assembly, and religion. Citizens should have the right to express their opinions and criticize the government without fear of punishment or retribution.
Government Accountability: In a democracy, government officials are accountable to the people they represent. Citizens have the right to question and challenge their government, and the government is required to respond to their concerns and needs.

Political Participation: Democracies encourage political participation and civic engagement among their citizens. This includes the right to form political parties, interest groups, and other organizations, and the ability to participate in peaceful protests and demonstrations.

These key features help ensure that democracies are representative, accountable, and responsive to the needs and desires of their citizens.

The concept of democracy as evolved and been adapted by various societies and cultures around the world. With over 100 countries across the world considered democratic in some form or another. In modern times, democracy is typically associated with representative democracy, in which citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf. This form of democracy is often found in countries with large populations, where direct democracy would be impractical.

Today, It is seen as a fundamental political value and is enshrined in numerous international agreements and constitutions. However, there continue to be debates about what constitutes a true democracy and how best to ensure that democratic institutions are strong, inclusive, and effective.

The scope of democracy can vary widely from country to country, and may be influenced by a number of factors such as history, culture, economic development, and political institutions. The scope describes the extent to which democratic principles and practices are applied within a society or political system. can also be measured by the degree of citizen participation, the quality of elections, the level of political freedom, the independence of the judiciary, the degree of press freedom, and the level of transparency and accountability in government.

At the most basic level, the scope of democracy includes the right to vote and participate in free and fair elections. Beyond this,  here are major features it may include:

Political Participation: This includes the ability of citizens to participate in the political process, such as through the formation of political parties, interest groups, and other organizations.
Human Rights and Civil Liberties: Democratic societies protect the basic human rights and civil liberties of all citizens, such as freedom of speech, religion, and assembly.
Rule of Law: Democracies are governed by the rule of law, which means that laws are applied equally to all citizens and the legal system is independent and impartial.
Government Accountability: In a democracy, government officials are accountable to the people they represent, and citizens have the right to question and challenge their government.
Separation of Powers: Democracies have a system of checks and balances, with power divided among different branches of government to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.

No democracy is perfect and every country face unique challenges in maintaining and improving its democratic system. Below are the countries have most robust democratic institutions, high level of political participation, and a strong commitment to human rights and civil liberties on basis of heirarchy

Norway
Iceland
Sweden
New Zealand
Denmark
Canada
Ireland
Finland
Australia
Switzerland