What defines the system where citizens participate in the government?

The system where citizens participate in the government is defined as democracy. In a democracy, the power to govern is derived from the consent of the governed, meaning that the people have the right to make decisions regarding their government through voting and other forms of civic engagement. This participation can take many forms, including direct participation in decision-making processes or electing representatives who make decisions on their behalf.

In contrast, other forms of government do not involve citizens in the same way. Monarchy typically involves a single ruler, such as a king or queen, who holds power, often inheriting that power rather than earning it through public support. Theocracy is a system where religious leaders control the government, and laws are based on religious beliefs, limiting participation to those within that religious framework. Autocracy is characterized by a single individual holding absolute power, with little or no input from the general populace. The key distinguishing feature of democracy is the active involvement of citizens in shaping their government and exercising their rights.