What is one defining characteristic of a democracy?

One defining characteristic of a democracy is that citizens elect representatives to govern. This principle emphasizes the role of the population in making decisions about their political leadership and policies through voting. In a democratic system, the authority of government stems from the consent of the governed, allowing citizens to choose their representatives in regular, free, and fair elections. This participation is fundamental to ensuring that the government reflects the will of the people and is accountable to them.

In contrast, limited participation in government, control by a single party, or governance by military leaders do not align with democratic principles. These attributes typically describe authoritarian regimes where power is concentrated and citizens have little to no meaningful influence over political processes.