• dustyData@lemmy.world
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    2 days ago

    Elections are not the defining trait of democracies. Technically they are not even a requirement. This is why plenty of autocracies can actually have a ton of elections.

    • MiddleAgesModem@lemmy.world
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      2 days ago

      Elections are not the defining trait of democracies

      Obviously, he meant free and fair elections, not show ones in dictatorships. Legitimate elections define democracy.

      • dustyData@lemmy.world
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        2 days ago

        I agree, but again. Elections are not even technically required. There are democratic decision making structures that don’t rely on election of representatives or voting. Specially on direct democracies, it’s but one of the many ways to ensure the prevalence of democratic values.