Democracy is a multifaceted type of governance. Typical features include personal freedoms like speech, religion, and independent media; voting rights determining a representative government that decides legislation; and the preservation of civil and minority rights. Many democracies today have evolved through the creation and amendment of national constitutions, parliaments, commissions, and councils; the enactment of laws; and the determinations of a supreme or high court. Currently, we are seeing untoward challenges for preserving and protecting democratic governments around the world. A broader and deeper understanding of the principles that are central to democracy can help us reverse this trend.