What is the primary characteristic of democracy as a form of governance?

The primary characteristic of democracy as a form of governance is the practice of legal authority over a group of individuals, where this authority is derived from the consent of the governed. In a democratic system, the power is vested in the people, typically exercised through elected representatives. This implies that laws and governance structures are created with the input of the populace, ensuring that authority is accountable and reflective of the collective will.

In this context, the concept of "legal authority" pertains to the structured systems that uphold individual rights, promote participation, and ensure fair representation. This framework allows citizens to have a voice in their government and actively engage in the decision-making processes that affect their lives, highlighting the fundamental democratic principles of equality and participation.

The other options present characteristics that diverge from democratic principles. For instance, promoting individual interests above the common good can undermine the collective decision-making that democracy encourages. A strict hierarchy of power and governance by an elite group without citizen input directly contradict the foundational notion of democracy, which is inherently about inclusivity and the distribution of power among the populace rather than concentrating it within a narrow group.