The four most prominent are equality of rights, suffrage, schooling, and justice. There should also be participation by all citizens in the responsibilities of government by voting in elections. The American Declaration of Independence states that "all men are created equal." This does not mean that all people are equal in every respect. It only asserts that all individuals are equally human. This being true, all people have the same natural rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. In a real democracy these truths--common humanity and natural rights--are recognized. In addition, all members of the society are regarded as citizens (except for resident aliens) and are entitled to the same civil rights. These are rights specified by law. In an authoritarian state individual have no guarantee of freedom and are characterized by political inequality. In addition individuals are stated, " not equal ". Consequently democracy is a better system for society. Suffrage is the most basic civil right because it is the main safeguard of democracy. All citizens (except for children, the mentally incompetent, and convicted criminals) should have the right to vote. There can be no exclusions on the basis of race or ethnicity, sex, religion, or economic status. Where as in the authoritarian state people dont get the opportunity to vote and their participation in the government decisions are controlled. In the 19th-century English philosopher John Stuart Mill, in his 'Considerations on Representative Government', insisted "the State should require and compel the education, up to a certain standard, of every human being who is born its citizen." Regardless of inequalities of abilities, the state should promote schooling up to the best ability of each citizen. This means the same mandatory schooling for all, not different kinds of schooling for different economic classes. Democracies need citizens who are well enough informed to make proper political judgments after analyzing complex issues.
