Democracy — government of the people, by the people, for the people — is the system of political organization that most people assume should be the preferred form of world governance. It has many features that people ascribe to it, including representation and accountability; equality and participation; justice and dignity; and security and stability.
These values are rooted in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international treaties. They are what distinguish a democracy from other forms of government. They are what makes democracy the most popular and enduring political model of our time.
A democracy is a society that has free, fair and transparent elections for all citizens to choose their leaders and representatives. It has a constitutional framework that limits the power of government and ensures the safety of individual rights, such as freedom of speech and assembly, privacy, property and religion. It has a healthy civic culture that encourages debate and compromise, as well as a commitment to the rule of law.
A democracy is a society that values diverse opinions and respects different viewpoints. It allows citizens to freely express their views without fear of repression, and governments make decisions that take into account the needs of all people. It has laws to prevent corruption and repression by office holders. A democracy has strong, independent judiciaries that uphold the rights of all citizens and protect the dignity and integrity of minorities. It has a robust civil society that is capable of resolving differences and addressing issues like crime, education, poverty, inequality, climate change and natural disasters.