Sociology / Unit 9 Soc 1503 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Democracy
Captions available
The idea
A democracy is a government that gives all citizens an equal voice in determining state policy, typically through a governing constitution.
In practice
Citizens organize political parties, hold elections, and are guaranteed rights a constitution specifies, rather than deferring to one ruler's will.
Where people slip
Naming a nation a democracy describes an ideal its constitution states; how closely practice matches that ideal is a separate question.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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