The Essence of Democracy

Democracy is fundamentally defined as governance by the people, and its essence lies in deriving authority from the consent of the governed. This idea is deeply rooted in historical documents like the Declaration of Independence, which emphasizes the significance of individual rights and the moral obligations of governments to secure these rights. Furthermore, democracy is characterized not only by majority rule but also by the equal recognition of human dignity, freedom, and rights that are seen as inherent rather than granted by the state. The complexities of democracy also require checks on power through limited government and independent institutions, ensuring that authority does not become absolute.