
Democracy and Representation
Democracy is a system of government where power is vested in the people, who exercise that power directly or through elected representatives. Representation means that elected officials make decisions on behalf of the citizens. Political legitimacy arises when the government’s authority is recognized as rightful by the people, often because it was established through free and fair elections. For a democracy to be legitimate, it must ensure that all citizens have equal opportunities to participate, express their views, and hold representatives accountable, fostering trust and engagement within the political system.