Volksherrschaft
German
Etymology
From Volk + -s- + Herrschaft, a calque of Ancient Greek δημοκρᾰτῐ́ᾱ (dēmokratíā) (compare Demokratie).
Noun
Volksherrschaft f (genitive Volksherrschaft, plural Volksherrschaften)
- rule of the people
Usage notes
The word is not a well-defined political term. It may be used in reference to all kinds of systems that claim to realize the “rule of the people”, including liberal democracy, communism, and others.
Related terms
- Volkssouveränität (popular sovereignty)
Further reading
- Volksherrschaft in Duden online