Consider the following features :
1.Consent of the governed
2.Political equality
3.Accountability of the ruled to the ruler

Which of the above feature/features outline democratic rule?

The correct answer is 1 and 2 only.

Key Points

• Consent of the governed refers to the principle that governments derive their legitimacy from the will and agreement of the people they govern, a fundamental feature of democracy.
• Political equality ensures that all individuals have equal rights and opportunities to participate in political processes, such as voting and standing for office, a cornerstone of democratic systems.
• Democratic rule emphasizes the accountability of the rulers to the ruled, not the other way around, which excludes point 3 in the question.
• Features like consent and equality are integral to democratic governance as they ensure representation and fairness in decision-making processes.
• Hence, features 1 and 2 exclusively outline the principles of democratic rule as per the given options.

Additional Information

• Democracy: A system of government where power is vested in the hands of the people, either directly or through elected representatives.
• Political Equality: The principle that all citizens have equal rights to participate in political activities, irrespective of their background, gender, or status.
• Accountability: In a democracy, elected representatives and governments are accountable to the people, ensuring transparency and responsiveness to public needs.
• Consent of the Governed: This concept highlights the legitimacy of a government based on the approval and will of its citizens, often expressed through free and fair elections.
• Non-democratic Features: Systems where rulers are not accountable to the people or where political equality is absent are considered non-democratic, as seen in authoritarian regimes.