modern definition of democracy
Links. A Short Definition of Democracy U.S. president Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) defined democracy as: Â«Government of the people, by the people, for the peopleÂ» Democracy is by far the most challenging form of government-both for politicians and for the people.The term democracy comes from the Greek language and means  rule by the (simple) people. The so-called democracies in classical antiquity (Athens and Rome) represent precursors of modern democracies.Like modern democracy, they were created as a reaction to a concentration and abuse of power by the rulers.he term democracy comes from the Greek language and means rule by the (simple) people. The so-called democracies in classical antiquity (Athens and Rome) represent precursors of modern democracies.