Question

Which of the following examples accurately contrasts political participation in democratic and authoritarian systems of government?(1 point)
Responses

Democratic governments do not tolerate nonviolent forms of protest; authoritarian governments do.
Democratic governments do not tolerate nonviolent forms of protest; authoritarian governments do.
Authoritarian governments harshly punish speech that is critical of the government and its leaders; democratic governments do not.
Authoritarian governments harshly punish speech that is critical of the government and its leaders; democratic governments do not.
Free speech has no effect on the function of society in democratic systems; authoritarian governments’ limits on free speech make their societies work better.
Free speech has no effect on the function of society in democratic systems; authoritarian governments’ limits on free speech make their societies work better.
Democratic governments rarely hold elections; authoritarian governments hold regular elections.

Answer 1

The response that accurately contrasts political participation in democratic and authoritarian systems of government is:

**"Authoritarian governments harshly punish speech that is critical of the government and its leaders; democratic governments do not."**

This statement highlights a key difference in how political expression is treated in both systems. In democratic systems, citizens typically have the right to express dissenting views and criticize the government without fear of retribution, while in authoritarian regimes, such speech is often met with repression and punishment.