Meaning, Types, Features, Merits, and Demerits of Democracy

What is Democracy?

Democracy is the system of government in which people choose their rulers by voting in a free and fair, periodic, and regular election. It can also be defined as a system of government in which political power resides in the people.

Democracy originated in ancient Greece where all citizens participated in the process of popular decision-making and decisions were reached through consensus.

Types of Democracy:

(i) Direct or Classical Democracy: In this type of democracy, all citizens take part in the making and implementation of laws in the state.

(ii) Indirect or Representative Democracy: In an indirect or representative democracy, citizens choose representatives to rule the state (through free and fair, periodic elections) on their behalf.

Features of Democracy:

Among the features of democracy are: 

(i) Free and fair election.

(ii) Periodic and regular election.

(iii) Majority rule: The decisions of the government are informed by the desires of the popular majority though the right of the minority is respected.

(iv) Citizens of a state are given equal political opportunities to participate in the process of public decision-making.

(v) Respect for rule of law is guaranteed.

(vi) There is respect for the constitutionA constitution is a set of fundamental rules that determine how a country or state is run. More.

(vii) There is the existence of more than one political party.

(vii) There is the provision and guarantee of fundamental human rights.

(viii) There is respect for judicial independence to promote social justice.

(ix) There is the existence of universal adult suffrage as citizens from 18 years are not banned by the law.

(x) There is the existence of freedom of the press.

(xi) There is also the existence of an independent electoral commission to plan and conduct elections.

(xii) There is a fixed tenure of office for political office holders.

(xiii) Public complaints commission/ombudsman exists to entertain complaints against public office holders.

(xiv) There is a provision for the antecedenta thing that existed before or logically precedes another. More of the constitution.

Merits of Democracy:

(i) It offers the citizens alternatives in terms of the choice of leaders to elect or political parties to join.

(ii) Decisions reflect the wishes of the majority.

(iii) There is the orderly transfer of power.

(iv) It also promotes the political accountability of the rulers.

(v) It prevents arbitraryAn arbitrary rule, action or decision often seems unfair because it is not based on any principle, plan or system. An arbitrary legal judgment is a decision made at the discretion... More use of power, dictatorship as rule of law, political equality and constitutionalism exist.

(vi) The rights and views of the minority are respected as tolerance of opposition and negative criticism are tolerated.

(vii) Fundamental human rights and political equality are guaranteed.

(viii) It promotes a wider scope of political participation.

(ix) It also enhances rapid socio-economic and political development in the state.

(x) It guarantees the supremacy of the ConstitutionSupremacy of the constitution simply means the constitution which is the law of the land is above everybody in the country. The doctrine means that the Constitution holds the ultimate authority... More.

Demerits of Democracy:

(i) Democratic system of government is expensive.

(ii) It breeds corruption.

(iii) Decision-making is very slow due to extensive consultations necessary before decisions are taken.

(iv) Mediocre and incompetent people emerge as leaders because more competent people shy away from politics due to the high cost of danger and risk involved.

(v) A Defective representative is another demerit of democracy.

(vi) Election violence especially in developing nations is another problem e.g. murder, thuggery, vandalization of property, and assassination, which are dangers to democracy in developing countries.

(vii) Poor political enlightenment due to mass propaganda will make voters make wrong judgments.

(viii) Democracy only guarantees the opinion of the majority, the voice of the minority is always ignored or neglected.

(ix) Vote-buying, illiteracy, poverty and other malpractices are dangers of democracy as this will also make the electorateall the people in a country or area who are entitled to vote in an election. More make wrong decisions.

(x) The existence of many political parties may promote instability in the government.