Democracy is a system of government in which power is vested in the people, who exercise that power directly or through elected representatives. It is characterized by several key principles:
-
Popular Sovereignty: The authority of the government is created and sustained by the consent of its people, typically through elections.
-
Equal Participation: All citizens have the right to participate in the political process, including the right to vote and run for office. This principle is often embodied in the concept of universal suffrage.
-
Rule of Law: Laws apply equally to all individuals, and legal rights are upheld to ensure fairness and justice.
-
Protection of Rights and Freedoms: Democracies protect individual rights and freedoms, such as freedom of speech, assembly, and religion, which are fundamental to the functioning of a democratic society.
-
Accountability and Transparency: Elected officials are accountable to the public, and government actions are conducted transparently to ensure citizens can make informed decisions.
-
Majority Rule with Minority Rights: While decisions are often made based on majority preference, democratic systems also emphasize the protection of minority rights to ensure all voices are heard.
Democracy can take various forms, including direct democracy, where citizens vote on laws and policies directly, and representative democracy, where they elect representatives to make those decisions on their behalf.