pure democracy

noun

1. a form of democracy in which the laws and policies are made directly by the citizens rather than by representatives.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pure democracy¹

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

That really upset former senator Rick Santorum who, while appearing on News Max Tuesday night, called both abortion and legal marijuana “sexy issues” and that “Pure democracy is not the way to run a country.”

From Salon

The French Revolution ended in a dictatorship, but the Haitian Revolution ended in a pure democracy.

From Salon

Many political scientists don’t consider Turkey a pure democracy, largely because of the tremendous power exercised by the president and his ability to shape the political playing field before the vote.

From New York Times

Many political scientists don’t consider Turkey a pure democracy, largely because of the tremendous power exercised by the president and his ability to shape the political playing field before the vote.

From New York Times

The founders did not design the United States to be a pure democracy.

From New York Times