Elements of a Democracy

Authentic competition for all positions of power including the head of the government

Free and independent elections-popular sovereignty

Constitutionalism-written or unwritten that follows a rule of law

British-Unwritten1. Historical

Documents2. Acts of Parliament3. Common Law

Precedents4. Customs

U.S.-Written1. Separation of Powers-

Legislative, Executive, Judicial

2. Checks and Balances on the Power

3. Independent Judiciary with Constitutional Review

Guaranteed citizenship in any of the three types of government structures

1. Unitary

2. Federal

3. Confederation

Unitary

1. Power given to a central government that can create/destroy local governments

2. Examples: Most European countries

Confederation1. Most power stays in the hands of local

government with the central government created for a common good

2. Central government is created by the local and can be destroyed by the local

3. Examples: Articles of Confederation in United States and the Russian Federation

Federal 1. Power is divided between a national or

central government and independent states

2. Example of national government’s powers-declare war/coin money

3. Examples of state powers-public safety of citizens/conduct elections

4. Examples: U.S., Canada, Mexico

Basic civil and political liberties guaranteed

Creates a limited government and a rule of law to be followed by all