Final answer:
Respect for human rights is a defining characteristic of democracy, which allows citizen participation in governance through elections and protects freedoms. Monarchies, where a single ruler holds power, typically do not share this democratic aspect.
Step-by-step explanation:
A valid generalization about democracy is that, though it exists in many various forms, it is always characterized by d) Respect for human rights.
Democracy is a government system in which citizens have the power to elect leaders and influence legislation. Respect for human rights is fundamental in democratic societies, where individuals are guaranteed freedoms such as the freedom to organize political parties, hold elections, and express themselves through speech, the press, and assembly. Moreover, a democratic government is based on the rule of law, where laws and procedures apply equally to all.
Additionally, a characteristic that is not associated with a democracy is the concept that a king or queen holds the majority of governmental control, as this is more in line with a monarchy. Democratic governments are contrasted with other forms of governance, such as oligarchies, dictatorships, and totalitarian regimes, where civil liberties and economic equality are often compromised, and power is concentrated in the hands of a single ruler or a small elite group.