Final answer:
Power in democracy is held by the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, with citizens exercising power through voting and civic engagement. In a presidential democracy, such as the U.S., the public elects the legislative branch and the chief executive separately, with mechanisms in place for these branches to check each other's power.
Step-by-step explanation:
In our democracy, power is primarily held by the three branches of government: the legislative branch, which makes laws; the executive branch, which enforces laws; and the judicial branch, which interprets laws. In a presidential democracy, like the United States, the legislative branch members are elected by the public, and they have the power to enact legislation. Similarly, the chief executive, or president, is chosen separately by the citizens (though technically through the Electoral College), and has the power to veto legislative acts, which can only be overridden by a supermajority in Congress.
Citizens exercise power by participating in the democratic process through voting, which includes choosing members of the legislative branch, executives at various levels of government, and even some judicial positions. Beyond voting, individuals can engage in the political process through civic engagement such as advocacy, volunteering, and joining interest groups. Moreover, the system of checks and balances allows for the legislative and executive branches to limit each other's power, for instance, the president can veto congressional legislation, while Congress can override such vetoes and has the power to impeach and remove the president.