Glossary / Political Systems
Democracy
A system of government where power is held by the people, exercised through elected representatives or direct participation.
Explanation
Democracy means that citizens have a meaningful role in choosing their government, typically through free and competitive elections. Modern democracies come in many forms — presidential, parliamentary, semi-presidential — but all share the principle that political authority derives from the consent of the governed. Key features include rule of law, protection of individual rights, free press, and independent judiciary. Not all countries that call themselves democracies meet these criteria in practice.
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