civivs

• Democracy is a form of government in which the rulers are elected by the people
• This definition helps to distinguish democracy from non-democratic forms of government
• Dictators like Pinochet in Chile and monarchies do not fit this definition of democracy
• It is important to carefully distinguish between a true democratic government and one that pretends to be democratic
• In a democracy, the final decision-making power must rest with those elected by the people
• In some dictatorships and monarchies, the real power lies with individuals who are not elected by the people
• The power to make final decisions should be in the hands of elected officials in a democracy
• Free and fair electoral competition is essential in a democracy
• In China, elections are held every five years to elect the National People's Congress, which appoints the President
• The National People's Congress in China has the power to appoint the President of the country
• Candidates in China need approval from the Chinese Communist Party before contesting elections
• In Mexico, elections are held every six years to elect the President
• Mexico has never been under military or dictator's rule
• Until 2000, every election in Mexico was won by the PRI (Institutional Revolutionary Party)
• Opposition parties in Mexico contested elections but never managed to win against the PRI
• Zimbabwe has been ruled by ZANU-PF since independence in 1980
• President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe used unfair practices in elections and changed the constitution to increase his powers
• Zimbabwe shows that popular approval of rulers is necessary but not sufficient for democracy
• Democracy requires a government to rule within limits set by constitutional law and citizens' rights
• Democracy is a form of government where rulers are elected by the people and major decisions are taken by them
• Elections in a democracy should offer a choice and fair opportunity for people to change rulers
• Democracy requires a real choice between political alternatives and the ability to remove existing rulers through elections
• Democracy can be applied to organisations other than the government
• Democracy is a method of taking decisions involving consultation with and consent of all those affected by the decision
• True democracy is an ideal standard that all democracies must aim to become
• Democracy as an ideal helps us judge existing democracies and identify weaknesses
• Democracy distinguishes between minimal democracy and good democracy
• Democracy depends on active political participation by all citizens
• Features of democracy provide the minimum conditions of a democracy, not an ideal democracy
• Every democracy must try to realize the ideals of democratic decision-making through constant effort
• Citizens' actions can make a country more or less democratic
• Democracy requires citizens to take part in politics, distinguishing it from other forms of government