Final answer:
Democracies are characterized by governments that are elected by the people and for the people, where elected officials represent citizens' interests while protecting their freedoms and upholding the rule of law. Representative democracies, like the United States, ensure both majority rule and minority rights through free and fair elections.
Step-by-step explanation:
Democracies are distinguished from nondemocracies by the principle of being governments "of the people, for the people, and by the people." This means that in a democracy, citizens have the power to govern by electing representatives who reflect their interests and uphold universally recognized freedoms and liberties. A key feature of a democratic government is a fair electoral process where the majority can elect leaders, but with safeguards to protect the rights of the minority, thereby preventing a tyranny of the majority.
In a representative democracy, such as the United States, citizens do not make decisions directly. Instead, they elect officials, like members of Congress or the President, who then make decisions and laws on their behalf. This setup strikes a balance between majority rule and protection of individual rights, with all policies and laws based on the will of the people.
The protection of basic rights, such as freedom of speech, press, and assembly, as well as the prohibition of unlawful imprisonment, are pillars of democratic societies. These rights are enforced by a constitution and maintained through the rule of law, which ensures that all citizens are treated equally and fairly under the law.