The most useful indicator of the degree of democracy reached by a particular society is whether it has a:?

Question

formal method whereby people can effect changes in government policy

system of government checks and balances

two-house legislature

system of liberal and humane courts

civilian government

Answer 1

all of the above.  if I HAD to choose one, the first one.

Answer 2

I know Im being picky but they are all too vague to make a decision as to which one is democratic. Eg. which people can affect change?

All you need to know is that the two most principles of democracy are popular equality and popular control.

Answer 3

The first one, but they are all useful to a degree.

Answer 4

Since the question assumes, as I read it, that the society in question has some level of democracy to begin with, the best indicator of it having reached a proper degree of democracy is the extent to which it can best protect the will of the people while also preventing collusion, and other forms of corruption, by those elected (assuming the form of democracy in reference here is not an absolutist form where the people have direct control). With that in mind, I believe the 2nd choice,  a system of checks and balances, so that no one branch, part of government, has sufficient power to enact laws against the people's interests, and it will hopefully create a healthy rivalry, one that effectively stalemates the branches; a benefit to the people, when not in times of urgency.

Answer 5

is whether it has an extensive system of wealth confiscation and re-distribution. The greater the degree of democracy the greater the "bread and circuses".

Answer 6

civilian, all the rest could happen in non-democratic or faux-democratic countries