Merits and Demerits of Democracy
Last Updated : 25 Oct, 2023
A form of government in which the rulers are elected by the people is termed democracy. One of the chief factors of all democracies is that people choose the government. Democracy helps students to demarcate between democratic and non-democratic governments.
For example- from a non-democratic government, people do not elect rules in Myanmar. In charge of the army of the country took over as rulers and in this decision, people said nothing. Dictators like Pinochet (Chile) are not elected by the people and this applies to monarchies also. The king of Saudi Arabia rules because they are born into the royal family, not because of the condition that people opt for them or choose them to rule.
Merits and Demerits of Democracy
Why Democracy?
Democracy is important because of these reasons:
- Impress the quality of decision-making - It is based on consultation and discussion. Many persons, discussions, and meetings are involved in a democratic decision. In any decision, they can point out possible mistakes if a number of people put their heads together. It reduces the chances of rash or irresponsible decisions if most of the decisions are taken by discussions. If the decision is not according to the wishes of the people, they have the right to protest and even force the government to withdraw it.
- Provides a method to deal with differences and conflict - By giving their opinion, it provides all the citizens with some basic rights. In Democracy, all the citizens have a chance to choose and change their representatives, if work is not done according to their wishes. All the members have the right to give their opinions in the parliament. It provides the citizens with a right to follow any religion.
- Better than other forms of government in correcting their mistakes - In a democracy, there is no guarantee that mistakes cannot be made. No form of government can guarantee that. Mistakes cannot be hidden for long in advantage in a democracy. These mistakes have a space for public discussion and room for correction. Either the rulers have to change their decisions or change the rulers. A non-democratic government cannot happen this.
- Enhances the dignity of citizens - It is the basis of the principle of political equality. All the citizens have the same status whether rich or poor, educated or uneducated. They are rulers by them if people are not subjects of a ruler. According to the wishes and the needs of the people, the ruler has to rule or work. They can change him through election if the people do not like the ruler.
Arguments against Democracy
- Lack of knowledge - Many people don't know about the voting process they only know how to cast a vote. People should know the importance of their vote, the candidates and why to vote on that ballot. It is very important for us to have knowledge about voting. Due to lack of knowledge, if they choose the wrong candidate then the whole term suffers.
- Encourage Mob rule - Mob rule is the con of democracy where political parties keep the mob on their side. During the election, each party will have one group on their side to make some interference or force voters to vote for them. In the future, they did many crimes if they are in the backhand of political parties. The party hired by the mob cannot make them go away as party members were also invisibly connected to the crime. It is harmful to society and the country because mob criminal activities and their illegal works are sanctioned and protected.
- Takes time to implement change - The democratic structure suggests that when some big changes are to be implemented or changed then it will be decided only by voting. If they have to collect more votes the process requires time then this change might take years to be applied. It takes a long time to be sanctioned if the majority made the declaration. In a democracy, the important and beneficial decision might take time to be applied.
- Divide and rule - Divide and rule games are the worst cons of democracy. People-based on religion, race, and languages are done when some major incident is to be done or some events have to interfere with the division between them. To divide the votes, many of these incidents appear during elections time. They made them do their work behind the scenes and quietly when politicians have to do some unfair business applied in these types of policies. If these illegal activities are going on in the background then people will be talking about the other big issues. Many major events are used as a distraction.
- Increase greed - This increase the greed for the worth they have earn as a politician always wants to be in power. What they started their career with and what they have become manipulate this. During his term,the status he gains in society, among family and friends, mostly his attitude makes him crave the position for a long time, and he wants to have it whatever the post they gave and just to enjoy the luxury.
Arguments in Favour of Democracy
- Democracy is more Accountable: A non-democratic government may occasionally fail to respond to the needs of the people, but this is entirely dependent on the wishes of the country's residents. No one can compel the authorities to do so if they do not want to. They don't even act. In a democratic administration, however, it is critical for rulers to attend to the needs of the people. As a result, it is a more accountable type of government.
- Better decision making: When a democratic choice is made, it involves a larger number of people, multiple discussions, consultations, and meetings. Yes, it takes time, but it reduces the likelihood of making hasty or ambiguous decisions. It also increases decision-making quality. People are going to have differing perspectives and interests in a diverse society, especially in a country like India. Because there is no permanent winner or loser, democracy is the only recognised means for resolving these conflicts.
- As with any other system of government, mistakes are bound to occur under a democracy. However, it has the advantage of not being able to be disguised for long periods of time. In a democratic administration, public debate and correction are always welcome. Either the authorities must change their decisions or the people can change the rulers themselves. As a result, we might say that it enables us to repair our own flaws.
Today, modern democracy is the most effective system of government for ruling any country, great or little, wealthy or impoverished, educated or ignorant. All governments should strive for a liberal democracy, which is seen as the ultimate ideal. The democratic republic type of government is often known as the most humanitarian means of ruling people.