What is the fundamental principle of democracy?

The fundamental principle of democracy is rooted in the concept of governance by the people. This means that the authority and legitimacy of the government are derived from the consent and will of the citizens. In a democratic system, individuals have the right to participate in decision-making processes, typically through mechanisms such as voting in elections. This allows the populace to express their preferences and values, ensuring that the government reflects the collective will of the community.

While other options may depict forms of governance, they do not embody the core idea of democracy. For example, being ruled by one individual can refer to autocracies or monarchies, where power is concentrated in a single leader without broader public input. Similarly, being ruled by a group or an elected assembly could represent particular systems of governance but may not fully capture the essence of democracy, which centers on the individual citizen's voice and choice. In essence, the correct answer emphasizes that democracy is fundamentally about the power residing with the people, allowing them to govern themselves through collective decision-making.