What is a primary characteristic of a democratic regime?

A primary characteristic of a democratic regime is majority rule. This principle ensures that decisions are made based on the preferences of the majority of the population, allowing for a system where the collective will is expressed through voting and other participatory means. Majority rule is fundamental to the functioning of democratic processes, enabling citizens to influence policy and leadership.

While minority rights are also important in a democracy to protect against the tyranny of the majority, the foundational idea is that the majority should have the power to make decisions, provided that there are safeguards to ensure that the rights of minorities are respected. This reflects the balance that democracies strive to maintain between majority preferences and individual rights.

The other options—political inequality, minority rule, and governmental control over citizens—contrast with the principles of democracy. Political inequality undermines the equal participation of individuals in the democratic process, minority rule contradicts the majority decision-making norm, and governmental control over citizens is indicative of authoritarianism rather than democracy.