What is the definition of democracy?

The definition of democracy emphasizes the role of the people in governing. In a democratic system, the government is rooted in the will and consent of the governed. Citizens have the right to participate in the electoral process, where they can express their preferences for leaders and policies that reflect their interests and values. This engagement ensures that the government is accountable to the people, making it fundamentally different from systems where power is concentrated in a single ruler or where public input is not considered in decision-making processes.

In contrast to the selected answer, other options describe governance structures that do not prioritize or incorporate the people's will effectively. Systems led by a single ruler or decisions made without public input lack the essential democratic principle of participation and representation. A monarchy with elected representatives also diverges from true democratic ideals, as it may still retain hierarchical authority that diminishes the role of popular input in governance.