you know it when someone takes it away from you:

Let's forget about political debate. For many average people it is a simple matter, such as whenever there is action in favor of one group of people at the expense of your own, 民主 means you should have a say or entitled for proper compensation. A development project in your residential area would be a personal example any people can relate to: do you want to have a say or just let the developer or gorvernment decide it for you?