Democrat
/'deməkræt/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- An advocate of democratic principles: A person who believes in or supports the ideas of democracy, which is a system of government where the people hold the power, either directly or through elected representatives.
- A member of the Democratic Party: In the United States, a person who belongs to the Democratic Party, one of the two major contemporary political parties.
Examples
- As an advocate of democratic principles:
- She has always been a true democrat, fighting for free and fair elections.
- The philosopher was a democrat who wrote extensively about popular sovereignty.
- As a member of the Democratic Party:
- He has been a registered Democrat for twenty years.
- The senator is a leading Democrat on the committee.
Advanced Usage
- Small-d democrat: This phrase distinguishes a general believer in democracy (a democrat) from a formal member of the Democratic Party (a Democrat). Capitalization is often the key difference in writing.
- Although not a party member, he is a small-d democrat at heart.
- Jacksonian Democrat: A historical term referring to a supporter of the policies of U.S. President Andrew Jackson or the democratic ideals associated with his era in the 19th century.
Variants and Related Words
- Democratic (adj): Relating to or supporting democracy or the Democratic Party.
- a democratic society; the Democratic candidate
- Democracy (n): A system of government by the whole population, typically through elected representatives.
- Democratize (v): To introduce a democratic system or democratic principles to an organization or country.
Synonyms
- Egalitarian: A person who believes in the principle that all people are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities. (This overlaps with the philosophical aspect of being a democrat.)
- Populist: A person, especially a politician, who strives to appeal to ordinary people. (This can be related but is not identical, as populism does not always align with democratic institutions.)
Related Phrases
- Democrat in name only (DINO): A derogatory term used within U.S. politics to describe a person who is a member of the Democratic Party but whose views or actions are perceived as not aligning with core party values.
- Some progressive activists accused the moderate senator of being a DINO.
Idioms
Note: There are no common idioms that use the single, isolated word "democrat." Idioms typically involve the related adjective "democratic" (e.g., "the democratic process").
Noun
- an advocate of democratic principles
- a member of the Democratic Party