Final answer:
Majority rule, minority rights, and direct democracy are concepts related to democratic systems of government. Majority rule refers to decisions made by the majority, minority rights protect the freedoms of minority groups, and direct democracy allows citizens to participate in decision-making directly.
Step-by-step explanation:
Majority rule, minority rights, and direct democracy are concepts related to democratic systems of government.
- Majority rule: Majority rule refers to the principle that decisions in a democratic system are made by a majority of the people. This means that the opinion or choice favored by the majority of voters is the one that prevails. For example, in an election, the candidate who receives the majority of votes is elected to office.
- Minority rights: Minority rights refer to the protection and preservation of the rights and interests of individuals or groups who are in the minority. In a democratic system, minority rights are essential to prevent the majority from suppressing the rights and freedoms of minority groups. For example, in the United States, the Constitution includes the Bill of Rights, which guarantees certain individual liberties that cannot be infringed upon by the majority.
- Direct democracy: Direct democracy is a form of government in which citizens directly participate in decision-making processes. In a direct democracy, citizens have the opportunity to vote on laws and public policies. While direct democracy is not common in practice due to its impracticality in larger groups, ancient Athens is an example of a society that practiced direct democracy for a limited time.