What is a Democracy? examples and details.

A Democracy is more than a set of constitutional rules and procedures that determine how a government functions. In a democracy, government is only one part that lives in a social fabric of many and different institutions, political parties, organizations, and associations. This mixture is called pluralism, and it is said that the many organized groups and institutions in a democratic society do not depend upon government for their existence or authority. In a democracy, the powers of the government are, by law, clearly defined and sharply limited. As a result, private organizations are free of government control; on the contrary, many of them lobby the government and see to hold it accountable for its actions.

Democracy prevailed in Mexico with almost complete congressional elections returns showing that the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI, had lost everything but its hold on the Senate. Probably the most stunning loss for the PRI came with leftist Democratic Revolutionary Party candidate and two-time presidential loser Cuauhtémoc Cardenas claiming victory in the Mexico City mayoral race.

Mexico - troops in Calle de Revilladigego [i.e. Re...

Aqueduct City of Mexico

Mexico - Tlalpan cadets approaching palace (LOC)

The PRI also may have lost two of six, perhaps more, gubernatorial races to the conservative National Action Party.

The electoral success of opposition parties is significant in Mexico's history. Sergio Aguayo, a political scientist and leader of a poll watching group, helped to put the weekend's elections in perspective in saying: "This was a revolution, the beginning of a new country. The era of the sole party has ended in Mexico and we enter a complex new era." Aguayo is correct; this was a very important step in Mexico's transition. Enormous political change was achieved without bloodshed. Moreover, the elections were indicative of a growing political maturity in Mexico.

But democratically electing is one thing; effective governing in a multiparty environment is another. It remains...