This study investigated the concept of democracy in Max Weber’s theory of domination. The research results suggest that although Weber defined only three pure types of legitimate domination, he further classified charismatic domination into two types, conceptualizing “democracy” as the second type. The critical feature of this type of charismatic domination is that recognition from the ruled, once regarded as “a consequence of legitimacy,” has been primarily and oppositely treated as “the basis of legitimacy.” The findings assist in broadening Weber’s theory of domination through the integration of the fourth pure type of legitimate domination and in deepening our understanding of the legitimate basis of contemporary democracy.