Democracy means "rule by the people." But who are "the people?" A definition must be determined to understand who these people are.

No minority group may be forcibly included in the establishment of a new state. Minorities must freely consent to agreement in a true democracy. [1 min. 8 secs.]

It is impractical for people in modern democracies to vote on every issue that comes under consideration. That's why we have representative assemblies.

Americans have the authority and the responsibility to choose their elected leaders.

All democracies today are representative, but they often contain elements of direct democracy.

Today on 60-Second Civics: how freedom of expression helps maintain representative democracy and promotes peaceful change.

Crash Course video in which Craig discusses broadly, the basics of the election process. [8:46]