Trends: The Defining Features of Democracy

• First Principle of Democracy - The people are the source of all power and authority in a democratic state.
• Second Principle of Democracy - The right of the people to alter or abolish the government whenever it becomes destructive of their interests.
• Third Principle of Democracy - All citizens have equal rights under the law, regardless of race, gender, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, disability status, or any other characteristic that is not relevant to one's ability to participate fully in society.
• Institution of the Representatives assembly or Parliament - their tasks include the public deliberation, policy and law-making on behalf of the people.
• Human rights- enable people to develop their own associations for solving common problems, improving their life conditions and bringing their concerns to the government.
• civil society- the voluntary associations of people who are not government officials, but who are involved in the governance of their communities
• Rule of Law- The law is the supreme power in the land and is the basis of the government's authority. Protects people from the arbitrary interventions of the government in their everyday life
• the manifestations of Rule of Law

  • Laws duly enacted by the parliament are fairly and actively enforced
  • The courts and judges tasked with this are wholly independent of the government
• Manifestations of Rule of Law

  • All public officials are subject to the law and must operate within its constraints.
  • Those accused of breaking the law are tried according to fair procedures
• Personal Rights- The rights of the individual to life, liberty, and property.
• Political Rights- Right to vote, right to run for office, right to participate in political process
• Social and economic rights and freedom- are aimed at the provision of welfare and the quality of a person's life
• Cultural Rights- right to participate in cultural life of the community, to enjoy cultural heritage, and to express oneself in cultural ways
• Election- are the means by which public officials are sworn into office through a process that elicits majority votes.
• Core Idea of Representative Democracy- elections
• Civil Disobedience- public nonviolent and conscientious breaches of law with the aim of bringing about change in laws of government policies
• Religious Freedom- the right to choose a religion and manifest belief to manifest belief to a faith system
• Freedom of Speech- The right to speak one's mind without fear of punishment.