| A | B |
|---|
| Citizen Participation | becoming informed, debating issues, voting in elections, attending community meetings, being members of private voluntary organizations, serving in the military, paying taxes, serving on a jury, running for office, and even protesting |
| Regular Free and Fair Elections | held regularly, usually every few years; officials must be chosen by the people in a free and fair manner; officials must be chosen by the people in a free and fair manner |
| Accepting the Results of Elections | peaceful transfer of power from one set of leaders to the next |
| The Rule of Law | everyone must obey the law; no one is above the law—not even a king, elected president, police officer, or member of the military |
| Majority Rule with Minority Rights | If the people in the majority try to destroy the rights of people in minority groups or those with minority viewpoints, then they also destroy democracy. |
| Accountability | elected and appointed officials are responsible for their actions |
| Transparency | the people must be aware of the actions their government is taking: public meetings and freedom of the press |
| Limited Government and a Bill of Rights | list of citizens’ rights and freedoms; limits the power of government and protects the people from government abuse |
| Control of the Abuse of Power | structured to limit the powers of government officials. For example, the executive, judicial, and legislative branches of government have distinct functions and can “check and balance” the powers of the other branches. |
| Economic Freedom | some private ownership of property and businesses; choose own work and join labor unions |
| Equality | All are equal before the law and are entitled to equal protection of the law. |
| Individual or Human Rights | rights all people have simply because they are human beings. Democracies respect and protect the dignity of all people. |
| Independent Judiciary | courts and the judicial system should be fair and impartial. Judges and the judicial branch must be free to act without influence or control from other branches of government |
| Competing Political Parties | more than one political party must participate in elections and play a role in government. |
