Parents' Guide to

Democracy 3

By Chad Sansing, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Balance ambition and political obligations in government sim

Game Linux , Mac , Windows , iPhone 2013
Democracy 3 Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this game.

  • Democracy 3 Game: Screenshot #1
  • Democracy 3 Game: Screenshot #2
  • Democracy 3 Game: Screenshot #3

Community Reviews

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age 12+

Based on 1 parent review

An Enigma
An Enigma Adult
April 4, 2015
age 12+

Trying Out Government Opinions

This is the most realistic government simulation there is. It has a tough barrier to entry, but it puts you in the shoes of a real president/prime minister. Want to make a scientific paradise? Go ahead. Police state? Knock yourself out. Liberalism to the point of communism? Pure capitalism? Whatever you want, it's there.

This title has:

Great messages
Too much consumerism
See all 1 parent review

What’s It About?

In DEMOCRACY 3, players lead one of several Western democracies as either President or Prime Minister. By spending political capital -- the game's main resource -- players enact popular policies or curtail unpopular ones. The more successful they are, the more capital they gain. It's all about managing a ton of moving parts, and monitoring the economy, polling, and threats facing the country so that capital can be steered toward policies that get things done, and, most importantly, keep the player's party in office. This task is difficult but not impossible with some compromise and clever management.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1 ):
Kids say (3 ):

Democracy 3 simulates the delicate surfing of political waves. Political fortunes rise and fall with economic factors, policies, and voters, each impacted by players' choices. It does a good job of suggesting what it's like to govern a democracy that depends both on money and votes, and balances the needs of the people and the survival instincts of politicians. The interface is designed well -- capturing all of the complex network of influences well, and helping players make decisions. Players also learn quickly they need to compromise, reflecting well the day-to-day tightrope of politics. The cultural and political issues that win and lose voters' favor are made visible, but it's easy for them to get lost. As a result, sometimes it feels like your decisions are targeting these issues well and winning favor, but other times it's easy to feel lost and blindsided, with little to do other than get voted out.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can discuss how playing government-simulation games can help inspire and prepare them to be active digital citizens.

  • Families can discuss important contemporary policy debates, exploring the differences and similarities between policies and their outcomes in the game and real life.

  • Families can explore how democracy works differently in different countries.

Game Details

  • Platforms: Linux , Mac , Windows , iPhone
  • Pricing structure: Paid
  • Available online?: Available online
  • Publisher: Positech Games
  • Release date: October 14, 2013
  • Genre: Strategy
  • ESRB rating: NR for The first Democracy game received a T rating for drug references and mild suggestive themes.
  • Last updated: September 19, 2021

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