Which theory of Democracy?

Abstract

Democracy. Nowadays, this term is used quite freely but by going beyond its literal meaning (demos = power) we can find a lot of other possible interpretations that generate the political need to ponder over the historical meaning of the word. In the article the two main and different theories of Democracy, contemporary and ancient, shall be explained and confronted in order to fully understand what can be intended as current Democracy. The objective is also, as indicated in the title, to answer the question that set up a contrast between the two main theories (which theory of Democracy? The Ancient or the contemporary one?) showing that contemporary Democracy was influenced by the Ancient theory proving that the answer is to be found in the ever different relationship existing due to the specific historical moment in which such confrontation was made and not between to opposing and contrasting worlds.