COMPONENTS OF A
DEMOCRATIC
GOVERNMENT
RULE OF LAW
In a democratic government, the rule
of law ensures that everyone is
treated equally under the law. The
government’s power is based on laws
and the constitution. It also makes
the government accountable to the
people, allowing citizens to actively
participate in political life. The
government must follow these laws,
and the people have the right to
challenge or influence decisions.
BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS AND
FREEDOM
Human rights are fundamental to democracy. In a democracy, citizens
help create laws and control the government’s three branches:
legislative (makes laws), judiciary (enforces laws), and executive
(executes laws). The state must protect these rights and ensure equal
treatment for everyone. According to the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights (UDHR), every person has inalienable rights that cannot
be taken away. These rights include personal, political, civil, and socio-
economic rights. If these rights are violated, there are organizations,
both national and international, that work to protect them.
ELECTION
Elections are a key part of democracy,
where citizens have the right to vote and
be elected. In a democratic election,
citizens can choose from multiple
candidates or political parties, or even
decide not to vote. The government
ensures that elections are fair,
transparent, and legitimate. It also takes
into account the country's social, cultural,
and political conditions when organizing
elections.
DIVISION OF
POWERS
In a democratic government, power is
divided into three branches: (1)
legislative power (makes laws), (2)
judiciary power (interprets and applies
laws), and (3) executive power
(enforces laws). The government is
structured in a way that ensures
power is divided fairly, as outlined in
the constitution. In the Philippines,
which follows a presidential system,
the president holds executive power,
Congress holds legislative power, and
the Supreme Court holds judicial
power to resolve legal issues.
DEMOCRATIC
PARTICIPATION
The basis of democratic participation lies in
the recognition of diversity as a form of
social order and policy. In a democratic
government, there are diverse groups and
associations that freely organize
themselves to gain influence on social and
political life. A diverse society is
characterized by respect and recognition of
all political viewpoints regardless of how
different they may be. The social media has
become a platform for hate campaigns
against and for the new president of the
republic instead of using it as tool for
dialogue, rational discourse, point of view
exchanges, and debates, which mark an
essential component of a mature
electorate. In a diverse society, a group
may be more dominant and influential than
others. Hence, the State devises
mechanisms and regulations that
DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE AND
PARTICIPATION
Good governance is based on the enforcement of the basic values
of democracy in the exercise of power. These basic values help
every citizen to transform society in a democratic manner. These
basic values include the rule of law, justice, equality, diversity,
solidarity, dialogue, and option for the minorities. Important
principles of good governance include the basic values of
democracy: participation, responsibility, rule of law, transparency,
and adaptation capacity. The key players of the system of good
governance are then composed of the state, political parties,
regional bodies, the private sector, the civil society, and its
citizens.
THANK
YOU
