POLS 110 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Presidential System, Parliamentary System, Legislature Parliament Of Nepal
6 Sep 2016
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Democracy used to stand for rule by the people, but it has changed with the times. No country perfectly fits the definition of democracy. If this is true, than a country is deemed a democracy if it enacts 3 principles: accountability. Democracy is a political system in which the rulers are accountable to the ruled. A democratic government serves at the pleasure of the citizens. Offers citizens regular and realistic opportunities to remove the rulers from office through peaceful and legal means: participation. To guarantee accountability, political participation must be institutionalized, suffrage must be universal, and participation must be unforced. Institutionalized = clear and consistent rules define membership in the electorate. Universal suffrage = everyone must have the right to participate in the process that selects and removes government leaders. Unforced = government cannot require citizens to participate in particular ways against their will: contestation.
