A democratic government has a theoretical and a practical side.

Every government should have two aspects. One is the theoretical aspect and the other is the practical aspect. However, in a democracy both of these aspects are always functional while in an autocratic government the practical side really doesn't exist. Why is it that autocracy does not have a practical side? Simply, because when the Top governs, it governs and no questions, no choices, no input from the Bottom is available. While, a democracy also governs from the Top but, feedback, choices, and input from the Bottom is available. Of course, if the activity being complained about cannot be stopped, there's always the next election. Theoretically, a democracy has a definite structure where the people at the Bottom elect the Office holders for a certain length of time. The form is Triadic and is set forth in the Constitution. It may not be a perfect government, but the People at the Bottom are in control of the government. The people never lose that control, except for the duration of office, after which someone can be voted out. The structure is fixed and power is clearly defined so as to insure the Freedom and Equality of the individuals at the bottom. The First Amendment protects the right of individuals to "assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances". In other words, all other 'controls' failing the Bottom has a Constitutional right to revolution. Properly organized, the Bottom can flex its muscle by 'coming together' to "petition for redress of grievances". By 'coming together', the People are merely expressing a fundamental basis of government, which is, the real relation that connects the One and the Many. The One governs; the Many are governed; but, the Many never lose the connection by which the Top governs and the means by which the Bottom confers power to govern to the Top. Otherwise, it would not be a democracy. The Top has power, but only because the Bottom confers it.