Explain three challenges of democracy.

One modern challenge to democracy is one especially prevalent in the United States--voter apathy and low voter participation. In the 2012 presidential election, only 54 percent of Americans turned up to vote. This number, fairly typical, of recent elections, reflects a degree of disillusionment with the democratic process that is dangerous to any government that claims to rule by the popular will. In local and "midterm" elections, the turnout numbers are even lower, sometimes in the single digits. 

Another challenge is balancing the will of the majority--the basis for democratic society--and the rights of minority populations. Alexis de Tocqueville, who harbored deep reservations about American democracy, called this the "tyranny of the majority," and it has proven a very difficult philosophical problem. What does one do, for example, when one believes the majority is morally wrong? Slavery, segregation, and many other practices seen as immoral today once had the support of democratic majorities. 

Finally, another problem confronting modern democracies is the influence of special interest groups and especially very wealthy donors. Many people argue that these forces can, by donating large sums of money (a practice more or less tolerated under American election law) gain too much influence over politics. The candidates most able to raise money are the ones with the best chance of success, and some believe that large donors, through their influence on elections, might also gain influence over policy as well.