Democratisation in general is a difficult
process involving struggles within society and the state to extend
effective access to democratic governance to the entire citizenry
system-wide. This definition includes changes of regime as well as
political processes within a regime. For a national regime to be
considered fully democratic, it must provide for universal adult
suffrage in free and fair electoral competition for governing offices
at all levels. But such competition must be based on the extension of
certain minimum political conditions throughout society, including
civilian control over the military and guaranteed respect for basic
political rights and freedoms.