How do you measure democracy?

Answer 1

Free and Fair Elections.

Pluralism in distribution of political power to widespread parts of society. Formations of civil society.

Civil, Social and Democratic rights are granted to all citizens, and full-time residents of the society. By society, I mean the people subject to the sovereign power within the sovereign territory.

1.Civil Rights - Freedom of speech, religion, thought, media etc. Property rights well defined and freedom for everyone to buy/own and sell property.

2.Social Rights - Freedom to education, social assistance plans, public health information, welfare etc.

3.Democratic Rights - Freedom to vote (universal suffrage), freedom to run for power, freedom to challenge constitution through judicial process.

Also perhaps weak state intervention in political political economy, although not always the case, as shown in Japan.

Of course this all depends on the type of democracy we're talking about; be it the liberal model or the conservative model. I think pluralism and the rights are a given, but welfare and political economy depends on the type of democracy present and that is usually taken account for.