DEMOCRATIC PRACTICES

• Seven democratic practices

  Citizen participation, rule of law, basic rights and freedom, election, separation of powers, majority rule and minority rights, constitutionalism
• Citizen participation 


  A process which provides citizens and opportunity to influence public decisions and to be a component of democratic decision making process.
• Rule of law


  Idea that no one is above the law. The power of the government is connected to the laws that rule or govern it. It citizens are equal in front of the law. The constitution is considered as the highest law of the land.
• Basic rights and freedom


  Human right is inherent to the individuality of each person and the state cannot take away one's rights because they form the very foundations of human relations. They can never be taken away although they can sometimes be restricted.
• Election


  One of the pillars of democracy is election. Citizens have the right to vote and be elected. In democracy the authority of the government derives solely from the consent of the governed
• Characteristics of elections

  Competitive, periodic, inclusive, definitive
• Competitive election


  Opposition parties and candidates must enjoy the freedom of speech assembly and movement necessary to voice their criticisms of the government openly and to bring alternative policies and candidates to the voters.
• Periodic election


  Democracies do not elect dictators or presidents for life. Elected officials are accountable to the people and they must return to voters at prescribed intervals to seek their mandate to continue in office.
• Inclusive election


  The definition of citizen and voter must be large enough to include a large proportion of the adult population. A government chosen by a small and exclusive group is not a democracy—no matter how democratic its internal workings appear
• Definitive election


  The people determine the leadership of the government subject to the laws and constitution of the country. Popularly elected representatives hold the reins of power. They are not simply figureheads or symbolic leaders.
• Separation of powers


  In a democratic government, powers are divided into legislative, judiciary, and executive.
• Majority rule and minority rights


  Majority rule is a way of organizing government where citizens freely make political decisions through voting for representatives. Minority rights are rights that are guaranteed to everyone, even if they are not a part of the majority.
• Constitutionalism


  All citizens including the nation’s leaders are subject to the nation‘s constitution, which stands as the supreme law of the land