UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE Meaning and
Definition
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Universal suffrage is a concept in political science that refers to a system in which every adult citizen in a given jurisdiction has the right to vote in elections, regardless of their social status, gender, race, or any other characteristic. It embodies the democratic ideal that all individuals should have an equal say in the decision-making process of their society.
The notion of universal suffrage traces its roots back to the struggle for democracy and political equality. It emerged as a key demand during various historical movements, such as the American Revolution, the French Revolution, and the women's suffrage movement. Through these movements, people fought to expand the right to vote beyond a privileged minority and make it accessible to all members of society.
In modern times, universal suffrage has become widely recognized as a fundamental human right in democratic societies. It is seen as a cornerstone of democratic governance, ensuring that political power is vested in the hands of the people rather than a select few. By allowing every citizen to participate in elections and influence the formation of public policies, universal suffrage promotes the principles of equality, representation, and popular sovereignty.
There are variations in the implementation of universal suffrage across countries. Some nations have age restrictions, requiring citizens to reach a certain age before they can vote. Nonetheless, the central tenet remains: the extension of suffrage to all eligible citizens without discrimination. Universal suffrage has undoubtedly contributed to the empowerment and inclusion of historically marginalized groups, enhancing democracy and fostering social progress.
Common Misspellings for UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE
- yniversal suffrage
- hniversal suffrage
- jniversal suffrage
- iniversal suffrage
- 8niversal suffrage
- 7niversal suffrage
- ubiversal suffrage
- umiversal suffrage
- ujiversal suffrage
- uhiversal suffrage
- unuversal suffrage
- unjversal suffrage
- unkversal suffrage
- unoversal suffrage
- un9versal suffrage
- un8versal suffrage
- unicersal suffrage
- unibersal suffrage
- unigersal suffrage
- unifersal suffrage
Etymology of UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE
The word "universal suffrage" is derived from two primary components:1. Universal: The term "universal" comes from the Latin word "universus", which means "whole" or "entire". It is a combination of "uni" (meaning "one") and "versus" (meaning "turned"). In English, "universal" refers to something that applies to, affects, or includes all individuals or things.2. Suffrage: The word "suffrage" originated from the Latin term "suffragium", which originally referred to voting tablets or ballots used in ancient Rome. Over time, its meaning evolved to denote the right to vote or the act of voting. "Suffragium" is believed to be derived from "sub" (meaning "under") and "frangere" (meaning "to break"), which suggests the idea of voting by breaking tablets or placing them in a container.
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