What are two key characteristics of American democracy

Freedom of speech, freedom to vote for who you want

1) Respecting the Majority Rule

2) Protecting Minority Rights (so that Major sovereignty doesn't become Tyranny of the Masses)

3) Keeping Gov't as far away from the direct public rule (which is why we are a Republic, not a Democracy. we elect others to make our decisions, instead of one vote per person in mass elections every time we need to make a choice)

4) Federalism - - in which we separate the power b/t State and National gov't a

) dual: state& nat. work seprate in their own authority zones

b) cooperative: in which they work together such as in public edu.

5) A 2 party system

6) protecting" natural rights" (life, libert, pursuit of happiness)