The United States is a representative democracy. This means that our government is elected by citizens. Here, citizens vote for their government officials. These officials represent the citizens’ ideas and concerns in government.
While often categorized as a democracy, the United States is more accurately defined as a constitutional federal republic. [A constitutional federal republic is a system of government where power is divided between a central federal government and regional governments, all governed by a constitution that outlines the powers and limitations of each level of government. The United States is a good example of a constitutional federal republic]
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Democratically governed nations are more likely to secure the peace, deter aggression, expand open markets, promote economic development, protect American citizens, combat international terrorism and crime, uphold human and worker rights, avoid humanitarian crises and refugee flows, improve the global environment, and protect human health.
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Human rights are inherent entitlements belonging to everyone simply by virtue of being human, regardless of nationality, ethnicity, or other characteristics. They are universal, inalienable, and indivisible, meaning they apply to all people everywhere and cannot be taken away. These rights are often protected by national and international laws and are fundamental to a dignified and fulfilling life.