10 Reasons Why Democracy Is The Best Form of Government: A country is nothing more than a massive community that, like any other, requires governance. For at least 5,000 years, people have had governments. It’s deeply embedded in our society and pervades our daily lives. You may have seen the news about a new bill, a new policy update, or other conversations centred on the government on social media or in publications from time to time. But, when you hear the word “government,” what do you think of? Do you think of words like “politics,” “president,” “power,” or even “rules?” It’s crucial to remember that defining government is the first step in learning about any government system.
Meaning of Government
Government refers to the authority that enacts/or enforces laws that ensure the smooth operation of a country in a secure and peaceful manner that is beneficial to its people, regardless of the structure or institutions in place, the group of individuals in command, or the method used.
As Aristotle once stated, man is a political animal by nature. He creates and lives in a society with his peers, and he aspires to both dominate and be ruled. This is evident in the variety of approaches adopted to government systems throughout history.
They are, in general, government by a single person (autocracy, absolute monarchy), government by a few (oligarchy, aristocracy, plutocracy, etc.), and government by the majority (democracy) (democracy), Democracy is the most common form of government in use today in majority of countries. In fact, in various countries around the world, it has proven to be the best both in theory and in practice.
The question, therefore, becomes: Why is democracy truly better than other forms of government? Why should “the people” have the power to rule?
This article will explore the distinctive characteristics of democracy, which most people, regardless of their core political ideas, deem beneficial. The purpose of this article is to highlight ten reasons why democracy is the best form of government. So, let’s get started.
Why Democracy Is Considered The Best System of Government
The phrase “democracy” comes from two Greek words: “demos” (people) and “kratia” (ruling by or government). Democracy literally means “people’s government.” “Government of the people, by the people, for the people,” as Abraham Lincoln put it.
Democracy is a form of government in which inhabitants of a country exercise power through elected officials, direct voting, or a combination of the two in most circumstances.
“Democracy is the worst form of government save for all those other systems that have been tried from time to time,” Winston Churchill famously declared. Democracy has repeatedly demonstrated that it is the finest form of government, despite its flaws. Democracy is the bedrock of human liberty and economic success in many Western countries. Most thriving nations in the globe, such as the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and Germany, use this form of governance. Apart from its successes in many countries, the failures of its adversarial systems, particularly autocracy and tyranny, in various parts of the world further the desire for democracy.
Below are some reasons that support the notion that Democracy is the best form of government
1. Power Decentralization: Historically, concentrating too much power in the hands of a single person has had disastrous consequences. In a democracy, there is no centralized power that can dictate what the people can and can’t do. Every decision is determined by the popular vote, and the people wield the power. In this way, abuse of power is prevented and the people can hold their government accountable.
2. It Promotes Equality: Everyone is equal before the law, and everyone has the right to vote, This is one of democracy’s foundational principles. The framework of democracy gives each vote equal weight during an election.
When a person registers for this process, they have the right to vote without being scrutinized and express an opinion regardless of their social or economic status. Anything “yes” or “no” counts as one, whether you are wealthy or poor, own land or don’t, or express your gender in a certain way.
3. The rights and Interests of the People are Protected: All government structures are subject to manipulation when individuals wield positions of power. In authoritarian regimes, examples of mass brutalization of populations, extrajudicial killings, and other forms of injustice are prevalent. However, in a democracy, such news is rarely heard because citizens are the majority and they hold power.
Democracies make it impossible for elected politicians to ignore the needs of the broader public. It pushes them to represent the requirements of each community so that everyone has an equal chance to achieve their goals. As a result, the people’s rights and interests are safeguarded and enabled in an acceptable manner and according to the laws governing the land.
4. It Establishes Legitimacy: Because voters choose who will be in control and how policies are created, democracy generates a suitable political structure for every person. A democratic government is genuine, authentic, and acceptable since it comes into power through popular vote and in line with legal conditions.
This is critical because it provides citizens with a sense of belonging and responsibility, as well as the confidence to objectively oppose unfavourable government decisions through recalls and protests.
5. It fosters a Sound Decision-Making Process: In a democracy, the decision-making process is thoroughly vetted and scrutinized. When a bill is introduced in the legislature, for example, it must go through extensive debate and public hearings before becoming a bill, and it must also receive executive approval before becoming law.
Even if it passes into law but is later shown to be illegal due to procedural faults, the courts have the authority to declare the statute null and void and of no effect.
6. It Reduces conflict and Wars: Democracy is the most statistically significant factor in reducing inter-and intra-state conflict. This is most likely because war, in whatever form, is politically unpopular because it costs human lives, therefore democracies are compelled to avoid it at all costs.
Civil wars are less likely in democracies because democratic governments act as a safety valve for dissatisfied citizens; whereas citizens in democracies can express their dissatisfaction through free speech or voting, citizens in autocracies have no choice but to resort to violence if they want governmental change due to a lack of political power.
7. High Level of Freedom: Individual liberty is abundant in a democratic society. People in democracies are typically free to do whatever they choose as long as they do not harm others or break local laws. As a result, people can freely express themselves through speech, cultural or religious values, and so on.
In dictatorships, on the other hand, freedom is severely limited since tyrants frequently oppose individual liberty because they fear revolt if citizens become too informed of what is happening in their country. The democratic structures provide the common people with the opportunity to pursue any outcome they desire. As a result, growth and stability are fostered across the board.
8. It Increases Civic Engagement Since It Gives people a chance to become personally involved with their Government: In a democracy, the people and their voices control the government, therefore each person can choose his or her fate. People have the right to vote according to their moral convictions. Every ballot is a chance to express one’s unique viewpoint. Unless there is a strong moral objection to the result, the vote matters in a democracy, whether or not that voice is heard by the majority.
9. It ensures smooth transition of Power: In democratic countries, the transition from one political leader to the next is usually relatively seamless and trouble-free. This makes it possible to sustain a country’s political and social stability.
Other political regimes, on the other hand, frequently assassinate or chase away political leaders through revolutions, resulting in a vacuum of political authority and significant degrees of instability in the respective country.
10. It is a flexible System of Government: Democracy is a dynamic process that develops and evolves, and it can take numerous forms. Democracy’s strength is its ability to adapt over time. Because of its flexible nature, it aids the government in adapting to changing viewpoints.
