In the years before 1682, why was Russia thought of as "a relic of the Dark Ages?"

Ademocratic government allows its citizens to vote directly on most issues. however, the citizens cannot simply pass any law they want. the government has a constitution guaranteeing that certain rights can never be denied to any citizen. these guarantees were included to make sure the most popular political parties would be unable to pass laws limiting the political rights of their opponents. which principle of democracy does the government described in the passage most directly represent? a. valuing the need to compromise b. recognizing the worth and dignity of the individual c. accepting majority rule but insisting on minority rights d. respecting the equality of all citizens