“A political system is any persistent pattern of human relationships that involves, to a significant extent, power, rule, or authority.” (Dahl, 2001, p.14) Politics, we all agree, is a fact of life. Some people rejoice in this, seeing in political participation and government the possibility of building a better society, or at least of fulfilling some of their personal goals. Others lament the fact, viewing politics as a corrupt and debasing activity that is largely devoid …showed first 75 words of 1886 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1886 total…Several complex elements come into play, so that defining the term ‘democracy’ is a perilous task. Someone is bound to disagree, either with what has been left out. In full recognition of these hazards, I end with this. Democracy is a political system based on the formal political equality of all citizens, in which there is a realistic possibility that voters can replace the government, and in which certain basic rights and freedoms are protected.