8. Control of the Abuse of Power
Democratic societies try to prevent any elected official or group of people from misusing or abusing
their power. One of the most common abuses of power is corruption. Corruption occurs when
government officials use public funds for their own benefit or exercise power in an illegal manner.
Various methods have been used in different countries to protect against these abuses. Frequently the
government is structured to limit the powers of the branches of government: to have independent
courts and agencies with power to act against any illegal action by an elected official or branch of
government; to allow for citizen participation and elections; and to check for police abuse of power.
9. Bill of Rights
Many democratic countries also choose to have a bill of rights to protect people against abuse of
power. A bill of rights is a list of rights and freedoms guaranteed to all people inthe country. When a
bill of rights becomes part of a country's constitution, the courts have the power to enforce these
rights. A bill of rights limits the power of government and may also impose duties on individuals and
organizations.
10. Accepting the Results of Elections
In democratic elections, there are winners and losers. Often the losers in an election believe so
strongly that their party or candidate is the best one, that they refuse to accept the results of the
election. This is against democratic principles. The consequences of not accepting the result of an
election may be a government that is ineffective and cannot make decisions. It may even result in
violence which is also against democracy.
11. Human Rights
All democracies strive to respect and protect the human rights of citizens. Human rights mean those
values that reflect respect for human life and human dignity. Democracy emphasizes the value of
every human being. Examples of human rights include freedom of expression, freedom of
association,freedom of assembly, the right to equality and the right to education.
12. Multi-Party System
In order to have a multi-party system, more than one political party must participate in elections and
play a role in government. A multi-party system allowsfor opposition to the party, which wins the
election. This helps provide the government with different viewpoints on issues. Additionally, a multiparty system provides voters with a choice of candidates, parties and policies to vote for. Historically,
when a country only has one party, the result has been a dictatorship.
13. The Rule of Law
In a democracy no one is above the law, not even a king or an elected President. This is called the
rule of law. It means that everyone must obey the law and be held accountable if they violate it.
Democracy also insists that the law be equally, fairly and consistently enforced. This is sometimes
referred to as "due process of law.