Section: Social Studies

100) The most useful indicator of the degree of democracy reached by a particular society is whether it has a

1. formal method whereby people can effect changes in government policy
2. system of government checks and balances
3. two-house legislature
4. system of liberal and humane courts
5. civilian government

Some of these methods include frequent elections, an impartial judiciary (court) system, the right to a free press, the right to petition for a hearing of grievances, the right to introduce legislation by initiative, the right to ratify proposed changes in state constitutions, and the right to oust corrupt officials by impeachment or recall.