The pros and cons of democracy respectively include prevention of dictatorship, respect for human rights, and a smooth, peaceful change of government, on the one hand, disunity, the institutionalization of corruption, the possibility of mob rule, and the slowing down of the decision-making process, on the other.
In this Government tutorial, we shall discuss the pros and cons of democracy in detail. So if you wish to know the major advantages and disadvantages of representative democracy in the modern state, I will urge you to keep reading.
Whether you are a senior high school student or a junior high school learner, you will find this post on the advantages and disadvantages of democracy very useful. If you happen to be a Government tutor or Social Studies teacher, this post can help you prepare for your lesson on democracy.
A Template for Your Government Essay
I have structured this post in a way that can help you write your own Government essay on the pros and cons of democracy.
Furthermore, I have deliberately explained each point with examples and supporting ideas. This is meant to assist you in properly developing your paragraphs. That is if you are a High School level Government student or even an undergraduate studying for a bachelor’s degree in political science or a related field.
Here is a typical WASSCE Government past question from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).
HIGHLIGHT FIVE ADVANTAGES OF A DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT.
Before we look at the pros and cons of representative democracy, we must define democracy as a form of government. So the question is this:
What is democracy?
Democracy is a form of government whereby political power lies in the hands of voters and originates from them. In other words, in a democracy, the electorate has the power to choose and mandate a certain group of individuals to administer the affairs of the state, usually for a limited period of time.
There is a lot more to learn about the definition of democracy. But for now, let’s focus our attention on the pros and cons of democracy.
Examples of Leading World Democracies
See below a short list of some of the many countries that practice democracy around the globe.
- The United States of America
- The United Kingdom
- Israel
- India
- Germany
- Japan
- Nigeria
- Ghana
- The Gambia
- Sierra Leone
- Liberia
- Botswana
- Kenya
- Italy
- Brazil
- Argentina
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Canada
- Mauritius
- France
- South Korea
The above list is just a small fraction of democratic states in the world today.
The Pros of Democracy
So why do the majority of the world’s nations prefer democracy to an authoritarian form of government? Below are the major advantages of democracy.
1. It prevents dictatorship.
In a functioning democracy, it is difficult for a dictator to emerge as a leader. One reason is that a state that embraces democratic governance is keenly aware of the dangers of an authoritarian government.
For example, the situation where the people lose their voice to speak out freely and to choose what is best for them is never tolerated in a democracy.
2. The abuse of power is minimmal.
Closely linked to the merit of democratic government above is the prevention of abuse of political power. Constitutional safeguards such as the rule of law (supremacy of the law), separation of powers, and checks and balances ensure that government officials stay within their limits in the performance of their functions. This helps prevent arbitrary rule.
3. Democracy promotes respect for human rights.
One of the greatest benefits of democracy is that it ensures that the basic human rights of each individual are protected under the constitution.
Almost every democratic state practices constitutional government. There are safeguards in the constitution that prevent the government from abusing the rights of citizens.
Examples of these fundamental human rights are the right to life, freedom of speech and political association, the right to own property, and freedom from unlawful arrest and detention.
4. It ensures free and fair elections.
Another advantage of democracy is that it promotes the conduct of elections that are free and fair. This, in turn, makes it possible for the state to have a truly representative government.
A free and fair election produces an outcome that is generally accepted by the major stakeholders in the political process.
Democracy, therefore, minimizes election disputes. It also prevents violent conflicts that may follow an election.
5. There is a smooth and peaceful change of government.
In a democracy, the electoral process is the means for choosing who gets the mandate to form the next government. The violent overthrow of an unpopular government is thus avoided.
The people are spared the unfortunate consequences of armed conflicts and civil wars. These include the loss of lives, senseless destruction of property, and retarded economic development.
Democracy, therefore, helps to maintain a peaceful political atmosphere within the state. To put it differently, democracy has the advantage of promoting social and political stability.
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6. Democracy promotes sustained economic growth and development.
It is easier to maintain uninterrupted economic growth and development in a democratic state than under autocratic leadership. This is due to the fact that the probability of revolution or military overthrow is minimal in a democratic culture.
7. It promotes the exchange of ideas and consensus building.
Democratic governments allow the free expression of dissenting opinions. Also, there are constitutional provisions for addressing the concerns of all segments of society.
The resulting exchange of ideas is good for consensus-building on key national issues.
The overall effect is that the best ideas from all sides find their way into beneficial national policies.
8. There is popular participation in the government.
The majority of the nations of the world have chosen democracy over autocracy because democracy places the people at the centre of their government.
Such arrangements as decentralization, free media, general elections, and delegated legislation make it possible for ordinary citizens to have a say in government.
9. Democracy establishes legitimate government.
Next in our discussion of the pros and cons of democracy is that democracy bestows legitimacy on the government.
In a democratic state, the group of leaders has the people’s mandate to administer the affairs of the state. An elected government, therefore, has both the legal and moral authority to issue orders, formulate policies, and implement them.
A high level of confidence in government promotes efficiency.
Among the pros and cons of democracy is the promotion of equality at all levels. This is one of the most desirable advantages of democracy.
In fact, the essence of democratic governance is to promote the welfare of all people living within the state. This is made possible by promoting the tenets of the rule of law, a fair judicial system, provision of economic infrastructure, and social amenities among others.
11. Democracy inspires loyalty and patriotism.
People living in a democratic system have a sense of ownership of the political process. Due to the assurance of accountability, they tend to develop a higher degree of trust in the system.
As a result, the level of loyalty to the state is relatively high. The spirit of patriotism is neither forced nor fear-inspired. It is true and makes many citizens prepared to even lay down their lives to protect their freedoms and liberties.
12. Positive International Image
Finally, democracy is a more desirable system of government because it projects a positive image of any country that aspires to work according to its principles.
These principles of democracy include respect for human rights and the promotion of equality, justice, and human dignity.
Democracy makes a country look good in the eyes of the rest of the world. Among the resulting benefits are the attraction of foreign direct investment, economic aid, and diplomatic gravitas.
Let’s now move quickly to the second part of this tutorial on the pros and cons of democracy. We shall take a closer look at some of the major criticisms leveled against democracy.
In other words, we will attempt to answer the below question.
What are the reasons why some states choose autocratic leadership?
The Cons of Democracy
Critics of democracy argue that it works against the interest of the very same people it is meant to serve.
Here now come the major disadvantages of democracy.
1. Partisan politics is divisive.
Partisan politics, which is the bedrock of democracy, tends to undermine national integration.
For instance, party politics creates new divisions and worsens existing ones. Tribal or sectional politics have endangered national unity in many democracies all over the world.
2. It destroys personal relationships.
We cannot avoid speaking about the damaging effect that partisan politics have on otherwise happy personal relationships. This is one of the most unfortunate cons of democracy.
In Africa, best friends, marriage partners, and business associates become sworn enemies overnight by reason of their political differences. So old friendships end, otherwise happy marriages collapse, and businesses fold up all on the altar of democracy.
The dire consequences these can have on any society are too many to enumerate in this write-up.
3. Democracy promotes a culture corruption.
The need for party loyalty, the high cost of political competition, and the desire to always maintain a strong following have led to corrupt practices inside many political parties.
Bribery, nepotism, and blackmail are common evils affecting most democracies. Patronage and lobbying have also created uncomfortable levels of conflict of interest in otherwise democratic institutions.
4. Politicians exploit the ignorance of voters.
In most African countries, for example, there is a high level of illiteracy and ignorance regarding many national issues. Clever politicians capitalize on the ignorance of the electorate and literally lie their way into government.
Once they are in power. their true intentions and abilities are exposed. In most cases, the people’s welfare gets worse than before.
More often than not, there is a blatant disregard for the voters’ interests in the immediate aftermath of an election. It is only until it is getting closer to the next vote that many voters hear from their representatives again.
5. Majority rule is not always the best.
Another major pitfall of democracy is that it assumes that the majority is always right. This has often turned out to be untrue.
In fact, the threat of the emergence of an ineffective system of mob rule after an election is very real.
Besides that, under a winner-takes-all arrangement, it is possible to completely sideline brilliant individuals and ideas from the minority side.
There have been instances where the wrong people are appointed to occupy key leadership positions by virtue of the fact that they belong to the majority party.
This can only be detrimental to any effort at nation-building.
6. Democracy is expensive.
We can count the rather high cost of democracy on many levels. These include the loss of productive time, money, resources, and human lives in the course of politicking.
7. It slows down decision making.
Yet another drawback in the practice of democracy is the slow decision-making process. In most constitutional democracies, unlike one-party dictatorships, the government is obliged to engage in extensive consultations before arriving at major policy decisions.
Federal constitutions and decentralization make sure that minority views are heard. All these take time and undermine the quick decision-making necessary for effective governance.
8. Democracy promotes immorality.
The intense competition for votes and power gives room to lies, half-truths, and outright character assassination. All these happen freely in the name of propaganda.
Mature adult members of society who are supposed to be role models for growing children publicly lie and swear with impunity. The result is the prevailing sceptre of social decay in many democracies.
9. It sacrifices long-term strategy and promotes short-term thinking.
Next in our discussion of the pros and cons of democracy is the unfortunate situation where the desire to win the next election tends to determine the thoughts and actions of the party in power.
In a democracy, the threat of losing power is always there. This makes those in government ignore long-term sustainable policies that do not promise any instant political advantage.
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So election cycle after election cycle, governments sacrifice the long-term needs of the people for their selfish political gains.
In Africa, for example, expensive roads, school buildings, and bridges are hurriedly and shabbily constructed. All that matters is their quick completion so that favourable voting from the intended beneficiary communities can be guaranteed.
10. Democracy encourages demagoguery.
The danger of the wrong people with populist rhetoric gaining access to power never goes away. And each time this becomes a reality, the effects have turned out to be more devastating than what is normal under a totalitarian government.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are multiple pros and cons of democracy. However, in my opinion, much as the cons of democracy appear to be scary, there are still very good reasons to choose democracy over autocracy.
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