7. Abraham Lincoln, described our
democracy as a “government of the
people, by the people, for the people.”
His words make three important
points. First, the power of the
government comes from the citizens.
Second, Americans themselves, acting
through their representatives, run
their government. Third, the purpose
of the government is to make the
United States a better place for those
who live here. Because democratic
governments exist by the people, all
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Competitive elections and competing political
parties are an important element in
democracies. Competing political parties give
voters a choice among candidates. In a
democracy, individuals are free to develop
their own capacities. This means that the
government works to promote equality, and
all people have an equal opportunity to
develop their talents. Of course, you can’t
please all the people all the time. Another
principle of our democracy is majority rule.
Citizens agree that when differences of
24. Democracy and Developing countries In the last three decades, after replacing the authoritarian regimes in
Latin America and the collapse of communism in Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, democracy gained greater
appeal throughout the world as the best governmental form.
In full (liberal) democracy, the entire population, has the right to vote, elections are fair and free of fraud, the
majority of the leading officials are elected, all candidates have the equal chance of being elected, and civil
liberties, freedom of speech and media and minority rights are respected.
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Democratic transition is characterized by a high degree of uncertainty. The "old" and "new"
powers involved in negotiations during transition period can span from military and political
parties in Latin America, state and civil society in Eastern and Central Europe to ethnic tribes
in Africa. Until the general consensus about the democracy as the only desirable regime is
achieved, the country can be driven back to regression, as it happened in Nicaragua or
Algeria.
