Polity vs. Democracy

A polity is an identifiable political entity—any group of people who have a collective identity, who are organized by some form of institutionalized social relations, and have a capacity to mobilize resources. A polity can be any other group of people organized for governance (such as a corporate board), the government of a country, country subdivision, or a sovereign state.

Democracy (Greek: δημοκρατία, dēmokratiā, from dēmos 'people' and kratos 'rule') refers to a form of government in which the people either have the authority to choose their governing legislators, or the authority to decide on legislation. Who is considered part of the people and how authority is shared among or delegated by the people has changed over time and at different speeds in different countries, but more and more of the inhabitants of countries have generally been included.

The form of government of a nation, state, church, or organization.

Government by the people, exercised either directly or through elected representatives.

An organized society, such as a nation, having a specific form of government

A political or social unit that has such a government.

(politics) An organizational structure of the government of a state, church, etc.

The common people, considered as the primary source of political power.

(political science) A politically organized unit; a state.

Majority rule.

The form or constitution of the civil government of a nation or state; the framework or organization by which the various departments of government are combined into a systematic whole.

The principles of social equality and respect for the individual within a community.

Hence: The form or constitution by which any institution is organized; the recognized principles which lie at the foundation of any human institution.

(uncountable) Rule by the people, especially as a form of government; either directly or through elected representatives (representative democracy).

Policy; art; management.

A government under the direct or representative rule of the people of its jurisdiction.

the form of government of a social organization

(countable) A state with a democratic system of government.

a politically organized unit

(uncountable) Belief in political freedom and equality; the "spirit of democracy".

shrewd or crafty management of public affairs;

Government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is retained and directly exercised by the people.

Government by popular representation; a form of government in which the supreme power is retained by the people, but is indirectly exercised through a system of representation and delegated authority periodically renewed; a constitutional representative government; a republic.

Collectively, the people, regarded as the source of government.

The principles and policy of the Democratic party, so called.

the political orientation of those who favor government by the people or by their elected representatives

a political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them

the doctrine that the numerical majority of an organized group can make decisions binding on the whole group