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Political scientists have developed criteria to test whether a society is democratic. These criteria measure:

• Participation: are ordinary people involved in the political process?
• Voting equality: is each person’s vote equal to all others?
• Education: do people have the information they need to make informed choices about politics?
• Control of the agenda: can ordinary people decide which issues will be debated at a governmental level?
• Inclusiveness: do all groups participate in the political process?

Northern Ireland’s political system is designed to meet each of the criteria for a democracy.

Participation

Everyone over the age of 18 is eligible to vote.

Voting equality

Each person’s vote is counted as equal to everyone else’s.

Education

Everyone can learn about what is happening in the Assembly. The public and the media can watch Assembly meetings. The meetings are broadcast live on the Assembly’s website.

An official report of everything that is said in the Assembly is written down and open to the public to read. Old footage of meetings can be seen on the ����ý’s Democracy Live website.

Control of the agenda

This is the most difficult criteria to meet. The public can put things on the Assembly’s agenda through petitions, complaints, and writing to their MLA.

Inclusiveness

Only people under 18 cannot vote. They can still contact MLAs, sign petitions and attend Assembly meetings as part of the public gallery.