Understanding Democracy: Principles, State, and Public Opinion

Understanding Democracy

Democracy is a type of political organization in which power resides with the people, who decide collectively. Democratic organization is opposed to authoritarian regimes, which create oppressive and unfree societies. Democracy also signifies a way of living together that ensures participation.

Having a Democratic Attitude Means:

• A waiver to impose one's own opinions or interests by force
• Tolerance for opinions different from one's own
• Willingness to negotiate

Principles of Democracy

Every democracy is based on respect for principles or rules of the game:

• Democracy must guarantee a legal framework to organize the coexistence of people. The legal framework is based on respect for human rights.
• Freedom of choice through the ballot is another democratic principle. Despite decisions being taken by the majority, the rights of minorities must be respected.
• Democratic systems have to ensure equality among their citizens.

Public Opinion

In a democracy, every citizen has the right to be informed and to comment, as we all participate in decision-making. There needs to be a free press and associations in which citizens can freely participate. Governments use polls to find out public opinion on many issues. However, the formation of public opinion is often influenced by the media, especially through advertising.

The Democratic State

A state is a set of institutions that organize and govern a territory. Democratic states are governed by the Constitution or Magna Carta, inspired by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This sets limits and defines the relations between the branches of government.

Division of Powers in a Democratic State

Democratic systems prevent all power from being concentrated in few hands. To achieve this, they rely on the separation of powers, whereby each state's role must be exercised by a different body, allowing each one to control the others.

The three great powers in a democracy are:

• Executive power: The government, which runs the state administration
• Legislative power: The Parliament, which makes the laws of the state and controls the government
• Judiciary power: The courts of justice, which administer justice by applying the laws

Spanish Constitution

The Spanish Constitution was enacted after being approved by referendum on December 29, 1978.