The word &#x27;democracy&#x27;, when used without clarification, is rarely intended to mean a direct democracy with 100% majority rule. Instead, it almost always is shorthand for a republic with representative government.<p>Here is a good discussion of these differences: <a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.lexrex.com&#x2F;enlightened&#x2F;AmericanIdeal&#x2F;aspects&#x2F;demrep.html" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.lexrex.com&#x2F;enlightened&#x2F;AmericanIdeal&#x2F;aspects&#x2F;demr...</a>