D@dalos education server - Democracy: Basic course 3

Democracy

Basic course 3: What are the characteristics of a democratic state?

In basic course 1 we were concerned with establishing "what is democracy?". We have seen that there are many different ways in which democracy can be realized in different states. The ideal form of democracy does not exist. Democracy is something that has come about through history and is an on-going responsibility for every community.

In this, the third section in our Main Subject Group of Democracy, we will identify what lies at the core of democracy. What are the minimum requirements that a state needs before it can be regarded as being democratic? What are the elements that make up the core of a democratic state, regardless of all the differences addressed during basic course 1?

The six elements that follow can be regarded as being at the core of all democratic states, with all six core elements being closely connected. Any one of these elements is not conceivable without the others. For a democracy to work, there also has to be a democratic society. We will be addressing this aspect in basic course 4.

Elections	Parliament
In a democracy all power is derived from the people. The people vote for a government to govern for a set duration. Elections are the main feature of a democracy.	The elected representatives of the people meet in parliament and pass laws, approve budgets etc.
Government	Opposition
No state can manage without a government and the associated administration, which implements the law.	The opposition stands up against the government, keeps an eye on everything it does and tries to present a better alternative for the voters.
Separation of powers	Constitutional state
A system of checks and balances ensures that power is not concentrated too heavily in the democratic state, since power leads to misuse of power.	All state power and authority is founded on law. Even the sovereignty of the people finds its limit in the basic laws.

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Subjects: Human Rights I Democracy  I Parties I Examples I Europe I Globalisation I United Nations I Sustainability

Methods:    Teaching Politics    II    Peace Education    II    Methods

This online service on the subject of political education was developed by agora-wissen, the Stuttgart-based Gesellschaft f�r Wissensvermittlung �ber neue Medien und politische Bildung (GbR) (Partnership for the Exchange of Information Using New Media and Political Education). Please contact us with your questions or comments. Translation from German into English by twigg's �bersetzung deutsch-englisch.