There are many existing types of democracy, from the minimalist direct democracy to the totalitarian democracy of communist states such as North Korea, as well as mixed systems such as the blending of monarchy and oligarchy. As democracy is now regarded by many as the highest, many states claim to be democratic even if they do not appear to be. One of the most damaging accusations in today's international arena is that a group or process is undemocratic.
Democracy is the name given to a number of forms of government and procedures which have legitimacy because they have the consent of the people they govern. The two main criteria for a democracy are:
1.The mechanism for changing the government is through peaceful and regular elections, as opposed to revolts, coups, or civil war.
2. The officials exercising power have legitimate authority because they have been elected, as opposed to inheriting that authority or holding it by force.
Democracy is not a theory about what the aims or content of government or law should be, only that those aims should be guided by the opinion of the majority, as opposed to a single ruler (as with an absolute monarchy, dictatorship, or oligarchy). Just because a government has been democratically elected does not mean it will be a good, just, or competent government.
Everyone has a vote and is committed to respecting the decision that wins. This does not mean the decision will be the best one, or even a good one. It is simply a mechanism for enabling everyone to be involved in the decision making process, which gives the decisions binding legitimacy.
Democracies require a quality level of education and maturity among the people who vote. If not, the process can be captured by demagogues if too many vote in a self-centered way. It can also be very claustrophobic or oppressive as majorities can use their position to intimidate minority opinions.
Democracy is the name given to a number of forms of government and procedures which have legitimacy because they have the consent of the people they govern. The two main criteria for a democracy are:
1.The mechanism for changing the government is through peaceful and regular elections, as opposed to revolts, coups, or civil war.
2. The officials exercising power have legitimate authority because they have been elected, as opposed to inheriting that authority or holding it by force.
Democracy is not a theory about what the aims or content of government or law should be, only that those aims should be guided by the opinion of the majority, as opposed to a single ruler (as with an absolute monarchy, dictatorship, or oligarchy). Just because a government has been democratically elected does not mean it will be a good, just, or competent government.
Everyone has a vote and is committed to respecting the decision that wins. This does not mean the decision will be the best one, or even a good one. It is simply a mechanism for enabling everyone to be involved in the decision making process, which gives the decisions binding legitimacy.
Democracies require a quality level of education and maturity among the people who vote. If not, the process can be captured by demagogues if too many vote in a self-centered way. It can also be very claustrophobic or oppressive as majorities can use their position to intimidate minority opinions.
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