Which of the following examples accurately contrasts political participation in democratic and authoritarian systems of government?

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

1 answer

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