“No matter how widely democracy may be extended, if it is not accompanied by a certain equality of opportunity among the members of the political society, it is not democracy.”—Cyclopedia of American Government, Vol. I, p. 561.
“Democracy is that form of government in which the people rule. The basis of democracy is equality, as that of the aristocracy is privilege.”—Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Vol. I, p. 540.
“The beginnings of democracy were best observed in the townships of New England, where the Puritans from England settled and organized towns which were centers of democracy.”—Peter Roberts.
In an absolute monarchy, the ruler is supreme; in a limited monarchy, the parliament or congress sets a limit to the powers of the ruler; in a democracy, the people rule.
“It is almost impossible that all the people will exactly agree on any proposition, either political or social. Therefore the rule of government in a democracy is, that all the people shall accept and obey those laws and regulations that are pleasing to the majority.”
“The basis of our political system is the right of the people to make or alter their constitution of government.”—George Washington.
“No man is good enough to govern another man without that other man's consent.”—Abraham Lincoln.
“This country, with all its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it.”—Abraham Lincoln.
“I believe that the American people accept, as one just definition of democracy, Napoleon's phrase, 'Every career is open to talent'.”—Charles William Eliot.
Lincoln defined a democracy as “A government of the people, by the people, and for the people”.