democracy

A form of government in which power is held by the people through voting. In its purest form, direct democracy, people vote directly on laws, taxes, and all other decisions, and the majority vote decides.

In a representative democracy, people vote for elected officials to represent them in the process of law-making.

In 2002, the U.N. Commission on Human Rights found 10 elements essential to democracy:

1. Respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms
2. Freedom of association
3. Freedom of expression and opinion
4. Access to power and its exercise in accordance with the rule of law
5. The holding of periodic free and fair elections by universal suffrage and by secret ballot as the expression of the will of the people
6. A pluralistic system of political parties and organizations
7. The separation of powers
8. The independence of the judiciary
9. Transparency and accountability in public administration
10. Free, independent and pluralistic media

Also see republic.

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