Government by the people-2. government with the people-3. government for the people-lincoln gave three parts for his definition of democracy:1. government by the people - the state of affairs where the people themselves make the important decisions which affect them. also described as direct democracy.2. government for the people-this phrase suggests that whatever governs us does so in the broad interests of the people.3. government with the people- here we are straying furthest from lincolns definition. we now expect that most of the citizens are able to participate in political activity.