What type of political system allows citizens to elect their leaders through a voting process?

Democracy is characterized by a political system in which citizens have the opportunity to participate in decision-making, primarily through the election of their leaders. In a democratic system, elections are held at regular intervals, giving individuals the right to vote for representatives who will make decisions on their behalf. This participation is fundamental to the functioning of democracy, as it relies on the principle of popular sovereignty—the idea that government power is derived from the consent of the governed.

In contrast, a monarchy typically involves rule by a king or queen, often based on hereditary succession, where citizens do not have a direct voice in selecting their leaders. Dictatorship is marked by the concentration of power in the hands of a single authority or a small group, with little to no input from the general populace regarding leadership. Fascism encompasses an authoritarian regime where the state holds significant control over aspects of life, often suppressing dissent and limiting political pluralism, further distancing the populace from the electoral process.

Thus, the essence of democracy lies in the empowerment of citizens to engage in governance through elections, making it the correct answer to the question.