Final answer:
Democratic norms are not formal rules but are informal, unwritten expectations critical to democracy. They guide respectful and civil behavior in societal and political engagements.
Step-by-step explanation:
Democratic norms are NOT formal rules. This means that they are not established, written-down laws or guidelines that are typically found in legal documents or official rulebooks. Instead, democratic norms refer to the informal, and often unwritten, expectations that guide the behavior of individuals within a democracy. These are understood through socialization processes and are essential to the functioning of a democracy. They include the expectations regarding how public figures should act, the respectful conduct of debate, and the public's engagement in political processes.
For example, democratic norms would suggest that it's expected for members of a legislative body not to interrupt one another and to listen respectfully during debates, even though this is not expressly written in a law. These norms influence behavior within political systems, businesses, social groups, and other areas, and help maintain order and civility without the need for formal enforcement.