what is democracy ? what are its main features?

Democracy is a form of government in which the rulers are elected by the people. In other words, democracy is a government of the people, by the people and for the people. 'Demos' means people and 'kratia' means rule. Thus, democracy is the rule by the people.

A democracy has several features:

·  In democratic countries, rulers are elected by the people who take all the major decisions.

·  There are free and fair elections. Elections offer a choice and fair opportunity to the people to change the current rulers.

·  This choice and opportunity is available to all the people on equal basis.

·  The opposition parties are allowed to function freely before and after the elections.

·  There is a freedom of expression and people enjoy their fundamental rights.

·  Such governments are based on fundamental principles of political equality.

·  In a democratic country, each adult citizen has one vote and each vote has one value. Any citizen can aspire t contest elections for any post irrespective of his or her caste, religion, socio-economic and educational backgrounds which means the right to vote is available to all citizens.

·  A democratic government rules within limits set by constitutional law and citizen’s right.

·  There is a ‘rule of law’ because of which a democratic government rules within the limits set by country’s constitutional law and citizen’s rights.