READ all of the posted materials, especially the first THREE (Pateman, MLK piece

READ all of the posted materials, especially the first THREE (Pateman, MLK piece and Freedom House). For your FIRST post, write a short essay in which you use those three readings (PLUS insights from at last two of the other materials posted) and any insights from your own experience to:
1) Explain key characteristics of democracy
2) Reflect on some key threats to democracy.
2nd source: https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2019/democracy-retreat
3rd source: https://www.aaihs.org/martin-luther-king-jr-s-vision-of-american-democracy/