Democracy is a term that is often thrown around in political discussions, but what does it really mean? Real democracy is a system of government in which power is vested in the people, who exercise it directly or through freely elected representatives. The word "democracy" comes from the Greek words demos, meaning "people," and kratos, meaning "power."

Real democracy is characterized by several key features. First and foremost, it is based on the principle of political equality. All citizens have the same rights and opportunities to participate in the political process, regardless of their social or economic status. This means that everyone has an equal say in deciding who governs them and how they are governed.

Another important feature of real democracy is the protection of individual rights and freedoms. Citizens have the right to free speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and freedom of religion, among other things. These freedoms are enshrined in the constitution or other legal documents, and are protected by independent courts and other institutions.

Real democracy also requires a robust and independent civil society. This includes a free and vibrant media, non-governmental organizations, and other groups that can hold the government accountable and ensure that the voices of all citizens are heard. Without a strong civil society, democracy can easily become corrupted and ineffective.

Finally, real democracy requires a system of checks and balances to prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful. This includes an independent judiciary that can review and overturn laws that are deemed unconstitutional, as well as a legislature that can check the power of the executive branch.

Unfortunately, many countries that claim to be democracies fall short of these ideals. Elections may be rigged or manipulated, individual rights may be violated, civil society may be suppressed, and checks and balances may be weakened or ignored. In these cases, the democracy is not real, but rather a facade that serves to legitimize the rule of a small elite.

To sum up, real democracy is a system of government that is based on political equality, individual rights and freedoms, a strong civil society, and checks and balances to prevent the abuse of power. While no system is perfect, striving towards these ideals is essential if we want to create a world that is truly just and equitable.