Editing Regime (section)

=== Democratic regimes ===
[[File:Federalism venn diagram.jpg|thumb|US Federalism Diagram]]


[[Democracy|Democratic]] regimes are characterized by the rule of law, where laws apply equally to all citizens, including government officials. In a democracy, citizens have the right to participate in free and fair elections, where they can vote for representatives and leaders in a competitive process. <ref>{{Cite book |last=Dahl |first=Robert A. |title=Polyarchy: Participation and Opposition |publisher=Yale University Press |year=1971 |location=New Haven, CT}}</ref> These regimes typically maintain a political system that ensures multiple political parties can compete for power, reflecting the political pluralism within the society. Additionally, democracies prioritize the protection of civil liberties, such as freedom of speech, assembly, and religion, which are fundamental rights guaranteed by the state. <ref>{{Cite book |last=Diamond |first=Larry |title="Facing Up to the Democratic Recession." |publisher=Journal od Democracy |year=2015 |pages=141–155}}</ref> A key feature of democratic regimes is the separation of powers between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government, ensuring that no one branch holds too much power and that each can act as a check on the others. Examples of democratic regimes include the United States, where power is divided into federal and state systems, and Germany, which features a parliamentary democracy with a strong focus on human rights. The term democracy can have positive connotations, but according to political scientist Samuel Hutington it is important to recognize democracy simply as a system of government with free and fair elections to hold leaders accountable.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Huntington |first=Samuel |title="The Modest Meaning of Democracy," in Democracy in the Americas: Stopping the Pendulum, edited by Robert A. Pastor |date=1989 |publisher=New York: Holmes & Meier |location=New York |language=English}}</ref>  A notable contemporary viewpoint on democracy is Robert Dahl's introduction of "[[polyarchy]]" which is notable for being contestable and inclusive.