Question

Which of the following features is common to most democracies?
A. they have a formal constitution
B. They hold regular elections
C. They have political parties
D. All of the above

Answer 1

Hint: In a democratic form of government, the whole population or all the eligible members of a nation, generally elect representatives and the elected representatives form the government further. Democracy ensures every citizen their basic fundamental rights. It is a device, which assures that we shall be governed no better than we deserve.

Complete step by step answer:
They have a formal constitution: Formal constitution is a written document defining the nature of the constitutional settlement, the rules that govern the political system, and the rights of citizens in codified form. In Constitutional democracy, the majority rule is not absolute and therefore limited by legal and institutional provisions so that the individuals and minorities feel respected and equal to others. Regular elections are a true hallmark of a democracy. The usual mechanism and the key tool through the means of which modern representative democracy has been operating since the 17th century. Elections are not only a tool of democratic participation but also a ferocious contest for positions of power and leadership. They have political parties: Political parties are essential institutions of democracy. Through participation in elections political parties provide citizens multiple choices in governance patterns, and while in opposition they are expected to hold governments accountable. Citizens usually join political parties, work towards their ideology, and vote for their leaders and in this process, they are exercising their basic democratic rights.
So, the correct answer is Option D.

Note: Most of the countries today have already attained democracies. By the end of 2011, the only countries considered autocracies were: Azerbaijan, Belarus, Cuba, Eritrea, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Laos, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Swaziland, Syria, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, China, and North Korea.