Sally quoting Ian W:
<As for waht democracy actually means, I think the crew do know based on their knowledge of non-federation worlds where politicians need to get elected (e.g., that bloke in Bounty - er... Sarkoff).>
Yes and no. Yes, they know about it in a theoretical way - as in it
happens
on planets they've never (up till now) been to. Possibly the same way I understand quantum theory - I know it exists, I've read how it works, but that's about it ...
Or possibly not. There's this exchange in the Children of Auron:
TARRANT: Zen, reroute to planet Auron. AVON: Just like that? TARRANT: A democracy. You're outvoted, Avon. Three to two. VILA: Four to one. I like to stay with the winners whenever possible.
They seem quite comfortable with the simple principles of democracy.
Carol