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The Fourth of July. Red, white and blue. Democracy.

These are things we associate with America. Especially democracy. But do we take democracy for granted?

In a few months every American age 18 and over will be able to cast a vote for the presidential candidate of their choice (as well as a host of other representatives).

With election season about to kick into high gear (the Republican convention's later this month and the Democratic convention's in August) it's a good time to think about democracy and what it means.

NewsHour Extra hopes to raise some questions-- but only you have the answers. We'll continue this discussion throughout the summer and fall election season. So let us know what you think.

Worth Fighting For?

Would you fight for democracy? Would you die for it? Your grandparents may have during W.W.II.

In Indonesia, China, Burma, Nigeria and elsewhere, young people risk their lives daily in the fight for democracy.

In mature democracies, on the other hand, some say young people are increasingly disengaging from politics, not voting, tuning out at elections, and feeling alienated from political institutions and leaders.

Where does this apathy come from? Can democracy survive if no one really cares?

So What Is Democracy?

The word "democratic" or "democracy" are general terms used to describe institutions, organizations or countries which allow members or citizens to choose their leaders and decide the form of government they want.

Democracy puts most of the political power in the hands of the people.

Specific freedoms commonly recognized by democratic governments include: freedom of religion; freedom of the press; freedom of speech; freedom of association and assembly; freedom from arbitrary arrest and imprisonment; and freedom to work and live where and how you choose. In the U.S. many of these freedoms are specifically outlined in the Bill of Rights.

The idea of democracy originated in ancient Greece, more than 2,000 years ago. The term itself comes from the Greek words demos, meaning "people," and kratos, meaning "authority."

Those who study democracy speak of two kinds of democracy: "direct" and "representative."

In a direct democracy, everyone participates in making all policy decisions. But this isn't very practical. Direct democracy is nearly impossible.

Direct democracy's sister --representative democracy -- is a lot more practical. People vote to elect representatives who make policy for them.

By the way, it's worth noting that the United States is technically a Republic.

A Republic is representative government ruled by law (the Constitution). By definition, a democracy is direct government ruled by the majority. A Republic recognizes the inalienable rights of individuals while direct democracies are more concerned with group wants or needs (the public good).

Click here for more on democracies vs. republics.

When people use the word "democracy" or "democratic" they're usually refering to a representative democracy.

Checks and Balances

One of the major strengths of democracy is accountability.

In a democracy people have the right to know about the decisions their elected officials make. If they disagree they can peacefully protest, send messages, and ultimately, vote for someone else in the next election.

The media is free to investigate and report on how well representatives do their jobs. "Special interest groups" -- from the NRA to the Sierra Club -- keep close watch on how representatives deal with certain issues.

The framers of our Constitution wanted to make sure no one person or group ever got too much power. They divided power to make and implement policy among the president and his advisors (the executive branch), bodies of elected officials like congress or a parliament (the legislative branch) and a judicial branch. (Click here for a description of the difference between parliamentary and presidential democracies.)

Each of the three branches has some power over the other two. The president can veto laws, the congress can refuse to cooperate with a president and the courts can declare laws unconstitutional. This isn't always a quick, efficient system (it took seven months in Cuban Boy, Elian Gonzalez' case). But as the former British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill once said: "Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all others."

If you think about it, you've grown up with democracy. When you were a kid, you may have been in a club where you "voted" on everything and "majority ruled". High schools have elected student councils. Schools, in turn, are usually run by elected school boards. The democratic principle is part of the foundation of our society.

The Right to Choose

How healthy is democracy around the world?

Some might say that democracy never had it so good.

Communism's collapse in Russia, the Balkans, and elsewhere has been followed by the birth of new democracies

But nationalism and declining political participation threaten these new democracies. Some say democracy has never been so fragile.

Are they Democracies?

In places from Latin America to Africa, Europe and Asia, governments run by strong leaders who can often do as they please-- called authoritarian regimes-- have given way to democratic forces, increasingly responsive governments and increasingly open societies.

Many countries have embarked upon a process of democratization for the first time. Others have moved to restore their democratic roots.

Various one-party states in Africa as well as socialist and communist states all describe themselves as "democratic," but that doesn't always mean their governments function like the government of the United States.

Take a look at some recent elections around the world: in Mexico, Zimbabwe, Japan, Peru and Haiti. Click on the boxes on the left for an update. (And click here for a list of upcoming elections around the world.)

What do these elections tell us about the state of democracy in Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America?

Does It Work?

How well has democracy worked?

While no one really questions the role of democracy in, say, the United States, Britain, France or India, it is still a matter of dispute for many of the poorer countries in the world.

Some argue that economic growth requires a strong leader who can implement unpopular programs which would be impossible to carry out in a democracy.

Some say that there can be no democracy in times of trouble or war, that democracy itself leads to disorder, that democracy diminishes efficiency, that democracy must wait until development is fully achieved.

Others strongly disagree: "Whatever evidence critics of democracy can find ... must not be allowed to conceal a deeper truth : democracy contributes to preserving peace and security, securing justice and human rights, and promoting economic and social development," says Boutros Boutros-Ghali, a former Secretary General of the United Nations.

Of course, a democratic system doesn't eliminate all corruption. The U.S. still has some problems with people who break or go around the law. But without the checks and balances of a democracy, corruption is often widespread.

And human rights can be violated without recourse. Sometimes, it's hard to find out about human rights abuses because, without the rights guaranteed by a democracy, the press may not be free to investigate and report on allegations of human rights violations.

Human Rights

The democratic way of life has always been based on principles of individual equality. All citizens in a democratic state expect that they themselves, their possessions and their rights will be protected. They expect to voice their opinions freely, and practice their religion without interference. They can expect equal opportunity to pursue their lives and careers and equal rights to participate in political representation.

Do we take this for granted? What would our country be like if these rights were not protected? If we didn't have these freedoms? What if we couldn't complain or take institutions and individuals to court?

No Free Lunch

Democracy only works if citizens fulfill their duties and obligations to involve themselves in the social and political affairs of the community.

Democracy is not only about rights and freedoms. It also requires all members to participate actively in society and obligates them to act as a responsible, well-informed citizens concerned with the common good.

Democracy doesn't just give to the people, it also requires each person’s input.

How Free is Free?

With all this talk of freedom and rights, it's also worth mentioning that there are limits.

Democracy does not imply an absolute freedom. The people of a democratic society can think, act and express themselves without undue interference and domination by the government, as long as they conform to the rules of law.

People can't just do whatever they want (that would be anarchy, or no government at all).

Each person's actions and choices always have an impact upon others. Thus, one person’s ‘right’ or ‘freedom’ is not acceptable when it violates another person’s rights.

In guarding the various democratic freedoms, the judiciary (the courts) balances the individual interests against any possible injury and damage to other people and the community.

For instance, freedom of speech does not allow people to slander (that is, to make a false or damaging statement about) others.

What do you think? Do you take democracy for granted? Are you fed up or bored with elections? Why? What are your responsibilities as a citizen even if you're not old enough to vote?

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The Democracy Lab A site with lots of links to democracy in action resources.