Democracy

Choose the Correct Answer

Correct Answer : Option b

Explanation
Democracy, derived from the Greek word "dēmokratía," means "rule by the people." In modern states, direct participation of all citizens in decision-making is impractical, so representation becomes the key mechanism. In a representative government, citizens elect representatives to act on their behalf, ensuring the government reflects the will of the people.

Incorrect items:

a) While legislative supremacy is a feature of many democracies (like parliamentary systems), it is not universal. For instance, the U.S. has a system of checks and balances, where the judiciary and executive also hold significant power.

(c) Some democratic systems (e.g., the UK, Canada) have hereditary monarchs as heads of state, while governance is carried out by elected representatives. Thus, having an elected head of state is not a universal requirement.

(d) While a constitution is crucial in defining the framework of democracy, the existence of representative governance is more fundamental. Even in countries without a formal written constitution (e.g., the UK), democracy thrives because of representative institutions.