Democracy has a minimum of 7 CRITICAL elements (not much different from the critical needs for healthy people of water, food, oxygen, shelter, clothing and love):

1.  First and foremost   Compromise!!!!!  (Added Feb 5 2018)

2.  An involved, analytical and forceful citizenry which historically has counted on the press and our leaders for the TRUTH.

3.  A PRESS that PURSUES the unanswered question and seeks the TRUTH. (The press now called the Main Stream Media, MSM)

4.  Colleges and Universities (faculties) that seek the TRUTH.

5.  A Congress that is independent of the President and seeks the TRUTH.

6.  A TRUTHful President

7.  Each of the above participants must be willing to hold the others accountable for TRUTH telling, to call the spade the spade, when it is necessary, even though it is very uncomfortable to do so!!!