Democracy

Democracy [dɪˈmɒkrəsi] (‘rule of the people’) refers to political systems and forms of government in which state power is held by the people. De­mocracies are characterised among other things by ­respect for human rights, the separation of powers, accountability of government, independence of the judiciary, the principle of legality of the administration, a multi-party system, and free and fair elections conducted by secret ballot.

  • Wanted and threatened
    People around the globe yearn for democracy – at least when it offers more than elections. Stefano Palestini explains why the Chilean example is a case in point.
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  • How do things stand?
    Opinions, feelings and hypotheses about the state of democracy abound. A look at the world of facts and figures helps to put things in perspective.
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  • ‘It’s a matter of equality’
    In democracies, towns and local authorities should be given more powers, says social scientist Shandana Khan Mohmand from the University of Sussex.
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