DEMOCRACY?

A POLITICAL SYSTEM

2
FOR CHOOSING AND
REPLACING THE
GOVERNMENT
THROUGH FREE AND
FAIR ELECTIONS
THE ACTIVE

1
PARTICIPATION OF THE
PEOPLE, AS CITIZENS,
IN POLITICS AND CIVIC
LIFE
CONT…
3
PROTECTION OF
HUMAN RIGHTS OF ALL
CITIZENS

A RULE OF LAW, IN
WHIXH LAWS AND
PROCEDURES APPLY
EQUALLY TO ALL
CITIZENS

4
 Sovereign people—they
are the highest form of
A POLITICAL SYSTEM political authority
FOR CHOOSING AND
REPLACING THE
GOVERNMENT
THROUGH FREE AND
People choose their leaders
FAIR ELECTIONS
and to hold their leaders
accountable for their policies
and their conduct in office.

The people decide who will

represent them in parliament, and
who will head the government at the
For elections to be free and fair, national and local levels.
they have to be administered by a
neutral, fair, and professional body
that treats all political parties and
candidates equally.
 But to vote wisely,
Voting in elections is each citizen should
another important civic listen to the views of
The key role of citizens duty of all citizens. the different parties
in a democracy is to
and candidates, and
participate in public life.
then make his or her
own decision on
whom to support

THE ACTIVE
PARTICIPATION OF THE
PEOPLE, AS CITIZENS,
IN POLITICS AND CIVIC
LIFE

Democracy depends on citizen However, no one should support a

participation in all these ways. But political party because he is
participation must be peaceful, respectful pressured or threatened by others.
of the law, and tolerant of the different In a democracy, citizens are free to
views of other groups and individuals choose which party to support.
 Everyone is free
to choose their
own religion and
PROTECTION OF to worship and
HUMAN RIGHTS OF ALL practice their
CITIZENS religion

In a democracy, every Every

individual has
citizen has
the right to
certain basic enjoy their
rights that the state own culture
However, cannot take away from
everyone has an them
obligation to
exercise these You can choose
rights peacefully, between different
with respect for You have the sources of news
the law and for the right to and opinion to
rights of others associate with read
other people
 All citizens are No one is above
the law, not even a
equal under the king or an elected
A RULE OF LAW, IN law president
WHICH LAWS AND
PROCEDURES APPLY
EQUALLY TO ALL
CITIZENS
 The limits and Requirements For
Democracy
• If democracy is to work, citizens must not only participate
and exercise their rights. They must also observe certain
principles and rules of democratic conduct.
• People must respect the law and reject violence. Nothing
ever justifies using violence against your political
opponents, just because you disagree with them.
• Every citizen must respect the rights of his or her fellow
citizens, and their dignity as human beings.
• No one should denounce a political opponent as evil and
illegitimate, just because they have different views.
• People should question the decisions of the government,
but not reject the government’s authority.