Text 11: elements of democracy

All genuine democracies have free and open elections. Free elections give people the chance to choose their leaders and to voice their opinions on various issues. Free elections also help ensure that public officials pay attention to the wishes of the people.

In a democracy, several characteristics mark free elections. First, everyone's vote carries the same weight - a principle often expressed in the phrase "one person, one vote." Second, all candidates have the right to express their views freely, giving voters access to competing ideas. Third, citizens are free to help candidates or support issues. Fourth, the legal requirements for voting, such as age, residence, and citizenship, are kept to a minimum. Thus, racial, ethnic, religious, or other discriminatory tests cannot be used to restrict voting. Fifth, citizens may vote freely by secret ballot, without fear of punishment for their voting decisions.

Political parties are another important element of democratic government. A political party is a group of individuals with broad common interests who organize to nominate candidates for office, win elections, conduct government, and determine public policy. In the United States, while any number of political parties may compete, a two-party system in which the Republicans and the Democrats have become the major political parties has developed.

Rival parties help make elections meaningful. They give voters a choice among candidates. They also help simplify and focus attention on key issues for voters. Finally, in democratic countries, the political party or parties that are out of power serve as a "loyal opposition." That is, by criticizing the policies and actions of the party in power, they can help make those in power more responsible to the people.

Text 12: characteristics of democracy

A true democratic government, as opposed to one that only uses the term democracy in its name, has some characteristics that distinguish it from other forms of government.

The first one may be called 'Individual Liberty'. No individual, of course, can be completely free to do absolutely anything he or she wants. That would result in chaos. Rather, democracy requires that all people be as free as possible to develop their own capacities. This does not mean that all people are born with equal talents or deserve an equal share of material goods. Rather, it means that they should have an equal opportunity to develop their talents to the fullest extent possible. Government in a democracy works to promote that kind of equality.

Democracy also requires that government decisions be based on majority rule. In a democracy, people usually accept decisions made by the majority of voters in a free election. Representative democracy means that laws enacted in the legislatures represent the will of the majority of lawmakers. Because these lawmakers are elected by the people, the laws are accepted by the people.

At the same time, the American concept of democracy includes a concern about the possible tyranny of the majority. The Constitution helps to ensure that the rights of the majority as well as of the minority will be protected.

Respect for minority rights can be difficult to maintain, especially when society is under great stress. For example, during World War II, the government imprisoned more than 100,000 Japanese Americans in relocation camps because it feared they would be disloyal. In recent years, however, this wartime action has been severely criticized as an unjustified denial of individual rights and as proof that tyranny can occur in even the most democratic societies.