The main features of democracy are popular participation in the political process, the rule of law, legitimacy, a multi-party system, periodic free and fair elections, representative parliament, official opposition, respect for human rights, constitutionalism, press freedom, tolerance, and accountability.
In this post, I will identify the main characteristics of democracy. Do you want to know the features of democracy in Ghana or Africa as a whole? You will find this post very useful.
However, remember that the features of democracy are the same everywhere in the world. This is because democracy is a system of government that is not limited to any particular geographical area. It is a global political concept just like its opposite, autocracy or dictatorship.
Are you a Government student or teacher in senior high school or junior high school? You may also like our short revision notes on democracy.
In case you are a private WAEC/WASSCE candidate, these short notes on democracy should give you a solid foundation for a better understanding of many topics in the WAEC Government syllabus.
WAEC Government Past Questions on Democracy
See below some key WAEC/WASSCE past essay questions on democracy.
- What are the essential features of democracy?
- What are the main features of democratic government?
- Outline the major characteristics of democracy in a state.
- State five features of democracy.
- Discuss the conditions necessary for democracy in the modern state.
It is now time for us to discuss the major features of democracy. So let’s dive in.
1. Representative Parliament
One major feature of democracy is a representative government. There should be a parliament that is fairly representative of the broad masses of the people. For parliament to play its role effectively, it must not be made to work under the control of the executive arm of government.
2. Political Opposition
The role of opposition parties in a democracy is to offer strong, constructive criticism of government actions and policies. In a functioning democracy, opponents of the governing party with dissenting views are not arrested, imprisoned, or forced into exile.
Rather than silence opposition voices, the government sees them as a necessary part of the nation-building effort.
This feature of democracy gives support to the concept of checks and balances. Thus, the opposition promotes accountable government and works to prevent the abuse of power.
3. Legitimacy
In every democracy, it is the people that confer legitimacy on the group of leaders. Legitimate government means that there is this recognition that those in power have the right to exercise political power.
One way of conferring legitimacy on a government is by a popular vote. The political party that wins the majority votes and forms the government has the mandate or blessing of the people to do so.
For that matter, they are able to control the institutions of the state and issue orders within the limits of the constitution.
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4. Popular Participation and Consensus Building
One of the most important features of democratic government is the opportunity that all sectors of society have to participate fully in the affairs of the state.
We must not forget this. Representative democracy is all about the promotion of the interests and desires of the people. This is why the people are usually part of the decision-making process.
Respect for public opinion, broad consultations, elections, decentralization, and free media are some of the mechanisms through which popular participation and consensus-building are made possible in a democracy.
5. Press Freedom
Free media is an essential feature of democracy in the modern state. The best way to promote free speech is to ensure that both the electronic media and the print media are free to give the people a voice.
We are here referring to traditional media and news outlets such as newspapers, magazines, books, radio and television.
Moreover, laws that criminalize free speech or seek to gag the media have no place in a democracy.
Again, the emergence of the new media or social media has helped to extend further the boundaries of free speech in many democracies.
Such social media platforms as Facebook and Twitter have enabled the expression of dissenting views on matters of national and international interest.
6. Tolerance of Opposing Views
Closely linked to the above two features of democracy is the need for those in government to accommodate opinions that are different from theirs.
The majority must act in ways that allow minorities to feel that they are truly part of the political process.
Therefore, in a democracy, the government does not consider individuals or groups that hold contrary views as enemies.
7. Periodic Elections
Elections are another significant attribute of modern-day democracies.
One importance of periodic elections is that it ensures a peaceful change of government. Other uses are the promotion of accountable and responsible government, conferment of legitimacy on the ruling class, and the free expression of the people’s will.
The franchise protection and the practice of universal adult suffrage are significant elements of a democratic election.
A good number of the world’s leading democracies organize elections every four years. Others have elections after every five-year cycle. Still, there are some elections that take place after every seven-year period.
In fact, in a parliamentary system of democracy, it is possible to have more than one general election in a single year. Israel, Australia, and Japan are examples of parliamentary democracies where frequent elections are a common feature.
Clearly, the length of a government’s mandate in a democracy varies from country to country. It depends on the provisions in that country’s constitution. But what is important is that the vote is frequent enough to support the development of a democratic culture.
8. Respect for Human Rights
Furthermore, to achieve its goals, democracy relies heavily on the promotion and protection of human rights and freedoms. Prominent among the fundamental human rights that every democratic system recognizes and promotes are the following.
- the right to life
- freedom of expression
- voting rights – the right to vote and to be voted for
- freedom of religion and conscience
- the right to personal liberty – freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention
- freedom from political persecution
- the freedom from torture
- freedom from coercion
- the right to peaceful assembly or freedom of political association
9. Institutional Safeguards
Democracy has proven to be a vulnerable political concept. For instance, there is always the danger of a coup d’etat. This could involve the military or civilians with autocratic tendencies. It is also possible that a democratically elected government would suddenly turn autocratic. So, in order to protect democracy, we have established institutions and mechanisms in place. Here are some noteworthy examples
- parliament
- office of the ombudsman. In Ghana, it is called The Commissioner for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ)
- an independent judiciary with the power of judicial review
- a free press (The Fourth Estate of the Realm)
- an independent electoral commission.
10. Existence of a Constitution
Democracy can hardly function without a constitution. This is because it is a constitution that establishes democratic institutions, allocates powers, and limits the exercise of such.
Every democracy has a constitution -written or unwritten. Britain, for example, has an unwritten constitution while the United States of America has a written constitution. Liberia, the Gambia, Ghana, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone all have written constitutions.
11. The Rule of Law
Active promotion of the practice of the rule of law is one of the basic features of democratic governance. The rule of law implies that the government must act within the limits of the laws of the land. It also means that no individual is above the law.
The rule of law prevents abuse of power. At its core is the democratic principle of equality before the law. For that matter, it promotes individual rights. To put it differently, in a democracy, all persons, regardless of their standing, deserve equal treatment.
You might be interested in these extensive revision notes on the rule of law.
12. Existence of Political Parties
Finally, a multi-party, or a two-party system is a key feature of democracy. It gives meaning to the need for the conduct of periodic elections. Because it is political parties that compete in general elections. They campaign vigorously for votes in order to win and exercise political power.
Also, parties make it possible for the masses to exercise their political rights. Notable ones are the right to vote, free speech as well as the freedoms of choice, assembly, and association.
Conclusion
I trust that you have enjoyed this tutorial on the features of democracy. There are other Government tutorials at Cegast Academy for both students and tutors. Remember that you can add this resource to your SHS Government notes for better WASSCE/SSCE or JAMB/NECO results. Thank you.
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