pure democracy
noun
plural pure democracies
: direct democracy
In a pure democracy, laws are simply made by the voting majority with the rights of the minority largely unprotected. In a republic, laws are made by representatives chosen by the people who must comply with a constitution that specifically protects the rights of the minority from the will of the majority.—
Jim Freedman
Jim Freedman… the United States is a democratic republic—not a pure democracy. Instead of directly voting for the chief executive, states hold winner-take-all elections to see which "electors" will cast votes on behalf of the entire state …—Christine Ravold and Michael Watson
Christine Ravold and Michael WatsonThe goal of representation, [Alexander] Hamilton, wrote, was not to mirror the infinity of private interests in the way a pure democracy would do, but to meld the contesting forces into the permanent and collective interests of the nation.—Bernard Bailyn
compare representative democracy
Bernard BailynExamples of pure democracy in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Which is what a pure democracy is. House representatives and senators are now majority-elected.
—Letters To The Editor, Orange County Register, 14 Oct. 2024
Though hardly a pure democracy — a hereditary emir wields decisive authority — Kuwait has an independent and democratically elected 50-member National Assembly, whose powers are limited but real.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 18 June 2024
The thinking was, however, that the slow and deliberative process for enacting legislation in the new nation’s representative democracy — rather than pure democracy — would help dilute the impact of such factions.
—Jan Goldsmith, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2024
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.
—Ben Hubbard, BostonGlobe.com, 15 May 2023
The founders did not design the United States to be a pure democracy.
—David Leonhardt, New York Times, 17 Sep. 2022
Some suspicion of pure democracy is essential to conservatism.
—Ross Douthat New York Times, Star Tribune, 16 Mar. 2021
Since pure democracy and genuine authenticity are conditions that can only be reached for, never fully achieved, this was a formula for lifelong commitment.
—Louis Menand, The New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2021
The United States of America is not a pure democracy but a constitutional republic.
—Star Tribune, 3 Nov. 2020
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Letters To The Editor, Orange County Register, 14 Oct. 2024
Though hardly a pure democracy — a hereditary emir wields decisive authority — Kuwait has an independent and democratically elected 50-member National Assembly, whose powers are limited but real.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 18 June 2024
The thinking was, however, that the slow and deliberative process for enacting legislation in the new nation’s representative democracy — rather than pure democracy — would help dilute the impact of such factions.
—Jan Goldsmith, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2024
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.
—Ben Hubbard, BostonGlobe.com, 15 May 2023
The founders did not design the United States to be a pure democracy.
—David Leonhardt, New York Times, 17 Sep. 2022
Some suspicion of pure democracy is essential to conservatism.
—Ross Douthat New York Times, Star Tribune, 16 Mar. 2021
Since pure democracy and genuine authenticity are conditions that can only be reached for, never fully achieved, this was a formula for lifelong commitment.
—Louis Menand, The New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2021
The United States of America is not a pure democracy but a constitutional republic.
—Star Tribune, 3 Nov. 2020
Dictionary Entries Near pure democracy
Cite this Entry
“Pure democracy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pure%20democracy. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share