Which of these is a characteristic of democracy?
-
People elect their representatives periodically.
-
People have limited freedom to express their opinion.
-
People can organize rallies only with prior permission.
-
Media is biased toward the ruling party.
Answer:
Answer by Student
So, the correct answer is option (A): People elect their representatives periodically.
Detailed Answer by Teachoo
-lock-
Let’s check all the options
-
Option (A) People elect their representatives periodically
- This is a characteristic of democracy, especially representative democracy, where citizens exercise power indirectly by choosing leaders to make decisions on their behalf¹. Representative democracy is the most common form of democracy in the world today. People elect their representatives periodically through regular and fair elections. Therefore, this option is
correct
.✅
-
Option (B) People have limited freedom to express their opinion
- This is not a characteristic of democracy, but rather a violation of it. Democracy is based on the principle of freedom of expression, which means that people have the right to voice their views and opinions without fear of censorship or punishment. Freedom of expression is essential for democracy because it enables people to participate in public debate, hold their representatives accountable, and challenge injustice⁴. Therefore, this option is
incorrect
.
❌
-
Option (C) People can organize rallies only with prior permission
- This is also not a characteristic of democracy, but rather a restriction of it. Democracy is based on the principle of freedom of assembly, which means that people have the right to gather peacefully and collectively for a common purpose. Freedom of assembly is important for democracy because it allows people to express their views, protest against policies, and demand change. Therefore, this option is
incorrect
.
❌
- Option (D) Media is biased towards the ruling party - This is also not a characteristic of democracy, but rather a threat to it. Democracy is based on the principle of transparency, which means that the government operates openly and honestly and provides accurate information to the public. Transparency is vital for democracy because it ensures accountability, prevents corruption, and promotes trust. Media plays a crucial role in ensuring transparency by informing the public about the actions and policies of the government and exposing any wrongdoing or abuse of power. However, if the media is biased towards the ruling party, it can distort the truth, mislead the public, and undermine democracy. Therefore, this option is incorrect . ❌
Thus, option (A): People elect their representatives periodically is correct.
-endlock-