Question

Select the correct answer. What is the defining right of a representative democracy? a. The right to petition the government b. The right to freedom of religion c. The right to a jury trial d. The right to vote e. The right to freedom of speech.

Answer 1

The defining right of representative democracy is the right to vote, which enables citizens to elect representatives to govern on their behalf and is essential for the functioning of such democracies.

Step-by-step explanation:

Defining the Right of a Representative Democracy

The defining right of a representative democracy is d. the right to vote. This is because in a representative democracy, citizens elect representatives to make decisions and enact laws on their behalf, distinguishing it from a direct democracy where citizens directly engage in the decision-making process. The right to vote is essential as it is the means through which the populace exercises its influence over who gets to represent them in government.

Voting is a cornerstone of representative democracies, as highlighted by Chief Justice Earl Warren's statement in 1964 that "The right to vote freely for the candidate of one's choice is of the essence of a democratic society". Through this process, people have the power to affect government actions and policies, and it enables a government to reflect the majority's will while protecting minority rights.