The Pros of Democracy - Dearborn Public Schools



Pros and Cons of DemocracyWhat is Democracy?Democracy is a very popular, and historically successful, form of government that puts the power in the people’s hands…kind of. The way democracy works is civilians vote in elections to decide who they would like to represent them in different tiers of the government. These elected officials then make vital decisions on the people’s behalf. There are various branches of power within the government, creating a “checks and balances” system where each sector monitors the other. Some of the most successful countries in the world are a democracy. However, it is not without it’s flaws. Let’s take a look at all sides of democracy.The Pros of DemocracyBy The People, For the PeopleEveryone is allowed to vote and weigh in on what they think about social, political, and economic issues within the country. This ensures that whatever decisions are made are in the interest of the people of the country and not just the government leaders. Equality The vote of every person carries the same weight, making democracy a system of government built on equality. This reigns true in all forms of elections, making each and every person feel important and heard. No One Person Has All The PowerAnother large pro of democracy is that the power is spread out. No one person holds all of the power, or even the majority of the power. This prevents, or rather helps to prevent, corruption and the exploitation of the people. The Cons of DemocracyThe Minority Gets The Short EndSince democracy is set up to cater to the majority, the minority groups in these countries are often overlooked, and even exploited. Many laws and policies that favor the majority, are hurtful to the minority. This causes a large divide between the two groups. Fraud With NumbersThe larger the population of a democracy gets, the harder it is to function efficiently. Voting and vote tallying becomes a seemingly impossible task, which leads to corrupt things like voter fraud. Free Time RulesThe people that have the most free time to attend meetings and other government related debates have the most influence over decisions being made. People that have full schedules and no time to attend these meetings cannot have the same pull. Pros and Cons of DictatorshipsEvery nation needs a form of government to survive and keep the welfare and interest of its citizens on track. It is also important for leaders and people to know which type will work best. Dictatorship is a form of government of some countries, including North Korea and Cuba. Throughout history, the world has witnessed the rise and fall of dictators like Hitler, Stalin and Saddam Hussein. And although dictatorships have been frowned upon by critics and seen in negative ways, there are also people who find dictatorships to be effective.What is Dictatorship?This is a form of government where only one political party, entity or leader is in control of running a nation. It is a type of authoritarianism wherein a person or a political party dictates on the behavior of the citizenry as a whole.Dictatorships are acquired in four ways, namely: family dictatorship, military dictatorship, constitutional dictatorship and self-coup. Dictators can rise to power by either inheriting the position from family ties, taking over the government through coup d’etat, getting elected brought about by an emergency or doing away democratic mechanisms after being elected constitutionally.List of Pros of DictatorshipsDictatorships have the ability to make nations progressive.Any kind of government can make mistakes and have flaws in the way it handles issues and implement policies. However, it can also make good decisions and have effective laws. But there will be challenges that might cause delay and which may need to be resolved quickly. In this aspect, this is where dictatorships play a big role. Since they can calibrate the legal framework and do not need coalition to implement laws and come up with decisions, matters will be dealt with the soonest time possible. With this ability, dictators can focus more on their goals and vision of running progressive countries. Since they don’t have special interests to protect as opposed to democratic governments, they are more capable to modernize their countries.Dictatorships result to stable governments.Supporters of dictatorships are drawn to this form of government because dictators usually stay in power for years, even decades. If a dictator is great and has the heart for the people, he or she will be implementing laws and creating a platform that will bring prosperity and abundance to the country. Dictatorships are ideal if the advocacies of the dictators are pro-people and pro-government. In democratic governments, however, elections are held regularly. This can result to shaky governments since there will be new leaders after several years. Laws and policies will be modified every now and then, which can result to unstable governments. Elections after every few years can also disrupt long term government projects, according to advocates.Dictatorships lessen crime rates.Proponents of this type of government assert that most of the countries run by dictators have lesser crimes than those with a democratic form of government. This is because nations under dictatorships have harsh penalties against criminals. These types of leaders also have the power to impose martial law and curfews any time they please. Thus, people are careful not to misbehave or violate the laws for fear of getting punished or imprisoned. With the power of dictators to strict policies, they can enforce discipline and order in society.List of Cons of DictatorshipsDictatorships lead to abuse of power.One of the arguments of opponents of dictatorships is the tendency of dictators to enjoy the power they have which make them more greedy and self-serving. They say that these leaders are surrounded by armies and security personnel complete with heavy armory making it easy for them to do what they please at the expense of the citizens. Dictatorships lead to mass killings.Another setback brought about by dictatorships is the rising number of deaths and killings of innocent people. With one leader and a small group having control over a nation, it is possible for people to go against the government overtly or secretly. Dictators are not happy about this. With strict laws and no one to go against their actions, it will be easy to get rid of people they consider as enemies. Critics point out that there are countries under dictatorships where people live in fear because innocent victims who are falsely accused of rebellion are killed and punished.Dictatorships result to political unrest which is not good for the people in the long run.Critics contend the views of supporters that dictatorships are good for the economy. For them, it is exactly the opposite. With the absolute power dictators hang on to come harsh laws and penalties as well as self-serving policies and legislations. Sooner or later, the people will not be able to take the situation they are in and can lead to unrest. There will come a time when they would want to overthrow these dictators. If these things happen, there will be chaos and civil war in these countries. And while these things are happening, the economy will be greatly affected. They also say that even if dictatorships end because of people power, it will be hard for these countries to rise and resolve problems of their nations within the next few years.Pros and Cons of a Unitary Government What is a Unitary Government?A unitary form of government is a government that dictates what rights states, municipalities, and citizens have. Usually there is no avenue for the redress of any decision made by a unitary government.What Are the Pros of a Unitary Government?They Are SimpleUnitary government is simple. Fewer people are involved in the decision making process so that decisions are made faster and more efficiently. No Money Go RoundThere is no money-go-round. Financial decision making power is held by a small number of people or an individual. The level of corruption can be less because fewer people with self motivated interests have direct access to the decision maker.Economic Management is SimplifiedEconomic management is simplified because fewer people are involved in decisions concerning taxation or the spending of taxes. There is a lower potential for payoffs because the judicial and tax branches of the government reside in one person or a small group of people.4. Instill a High Level of National PrideUnitary governments often instill a high level of national pride in their citizens. Unitary governments have been shown to have a population that is more willing to fight for their country in wars.What Are the Cons of a Unitary Government?Can Become DictatorshipsUnitary governments can often become dictatorships with a single individual attempting to run all phases of the government. Very few individuals are capable of being a wise leader, a strong military strategist, and a financial expert all at the same time.To Much BureaucracyIn order to deal with the complexities of running a large state or a state that encompasses vast regions of territory unitary governments often become huge. The bureaucracy can become gargantuan as a few people delegate a limited amount of authority to individuals so that the work of government gets done.Slow Response to Natural DisastersResponse to natural disasters and local issues is slow. Most unitary governments keep the armed forces and the personnel that deal with natural disasters in a central location or in just a few areas. A response to a natural disaster in a far flung part of the country can take a long time. Do Not Respond Quickly to Local IssuesUnitary governments do not respond quickly to local issues. The leadership is not familiar with the people involved or the economics of a local situation. Unitary governments can make arbitrary decisions at a local level that only serve to make the original problem much worse.Little Ability to Address Unitary GovernmentThe average citizen has little ability to address a unitary government or make changes to policy. This often produces a citizenry that is resentful, indolent, and distrustful of their government to the point of open rebellion.Stifle Efforts to Move ForwardUnitary governments can often stifle the natural urge for people to get ahead in government or any other endeavor. If the rules are dictated by just a few and the advantages are received by only a few even the most gifted people may not see the point in expending the effort to be exceptional because they see no profit in the cost of their time and effort. Pros and Cons of a Confederate Government What is Confederate Government?A confederation is commonly known as a union of political organizations. A confederate government is one where individual nations or states have united to form a confederation.What Are the Pros of a Confederate Government?Decentralization of Power States being the decision makers, this governance is completely contrary to the unitary form of government. Thus, legislation and execution is divided among the provincial and local governments. Local governance minimizes the growth of the center, and reduces the risk of it turning into a dominant union or tyranny.CooperationEvery state is an independent and sovereign unit of the federation. Agreement among these equals makes decisions over common issues easier. The flow of power is from the periphery to the center, which ultimately rests on the principle of cooperation among the confederates, at least over common concerns.What Are the Cons of a Confederate Government?Financial Powers A major drawback of the confederate government style is that, the center does not enjoy any power regarding taxation. Levying of or appropriation of taxes in order to regulate the national revenue model is not the function of the central government. Regulation of the monetary system, budgeting, and monitoring the growth of the nation does not follow a uniform policy.SustenanceConfederacies are not observed as a popular form of government across the world. One reason being that, this type of government is not a long-lasting one. Though they are seen to be the most decentralized forms, there arises the question of their sustenance. Confederation is also referred to as a transformation period (as countries are seen transforming from a confederation to a federation).Pros and Cons of a Federal Government What is Federal Government?A federal government is one in which the powers of government are divided between a central government and several local governments. An authority superior to both the central and local governments makes this division of power on a geographic basis.What Are the Pros of a Federal Government?1. The power of the executive is greatly restricted compared to other nations, preventing hostile takeovers/unconstitutional actions (remember, Hitler came to power legally by democratic means in Europe).2.? The power of the legislative branch is greatly restricted, as many of its potential powers are reserved for the President. 3. Citizens are able to elect their President directly, instead of indirectly through parliament.4. By necessity, congress is often forced to compromise on various bills, leading to relatively centrist legislation.5. Citizens have a single representative who is directly accountable to them.6. There is a decreased chance of a predicament referred to as "tyranny of the majority", a scenario in which a minority bloc is consistently overruled in congress.? What Are the Cons of a Federal Government?1. Separate government can easily lead to legislative inaction or "gridlock", especially when two parties hold power.This inaction leads to two additional downsides:2. The U.S. is occasionally less able to respond to dramatic crises or other events requiring decisive action than other nations.3. Voters are constantly dissatisfied with Congress and the legislative process (which may explain low voter turnout and is certainly responsible for congress's consistently abysmal approval ratings).Additional flaws:4. Americans have fewer viable candidates and parties to choose from, and many political ideologies (classic liberalism/libertarianism, environmentalism, socialism/social democracy) that are commonplace in European politics are completely ignored. 5. When voters have only one representative, there is a chance that their congressman may not represent their political ideology.Pros and Cons of a Presidential Government What is Presidential Government?Features an elected president who serves as the head of state (the ceremonial “face” a state presents to the world )as well as its Chief Executive (head of the executive branch of government), with a separate and co-equal elected legislature (which actually makes the laws). List of Pros of Presidential Democracy1. It has executive and legislative branches are separate but watch over each other.2. President is more stable than a Prime Minister.List of Cons of Presidential Democracy1. It is nearly impossible to remove an unpopular president2. It is hard to reach an agreement when president and legislature from different parties.3. Some presidents become all-powerful and authoritarianPros and Cons of a Parliamentary Government What is Parliamentary Government?n the parliamentary form of government, the coalition or political party with the most number of delegates form the government. The chancellor or prime minister will then be chosen from the leader of the winning party, until the next election. In a parliamentary democracy, the government is composed of delegates from various parties, so it falls to the minority party to oppose the majority and challenge it. This results in the government being a place that allows for healthy discussions regarding the laws. List of Pros of Parliamentary Democracy1. It minimizes political polarization.For many years now, unprecedented levels of political polarization can be observed in people from either party. The problem with political polarization is that people tend to base their opinions or stance on issues or policies on their political affiliation. Yet a government can only be truly functional if everyone on both ends of the spectrum agrees to work together for the betterment of the nation. With a Parliamentary Democracy, all parties are forced to work harmoniously together and for the majority group to be constantly challenged, not trying to please specific groups to gain support. 2. It allows for a quick and easy passage of legislation. A parliamentary system can make the passage of legislation faster through the support of a legislative body. This is because the executive is elected into office according to the party’s manifesto. As a result, the will of the people has more power than any political system. 3. It will require a coalition in order to pass legislations. Partisanship has to be abandoned while a coalition of parties must be brought together before legislation can be passed. This means that no single party is capable of passing legislation without the support of a large majority. This can result in ensuring no special interests or minority groups will be favored over the other. The UK is a good example of why a Parliamentary Government is beneficial to a nation. 4. It is more beneficial to nations with a racially, ethnically or ideologically diverse population. Unlike in a presidential form of government, power is divided and even evenly spread, making Parliamentary Democracy more suitable to ethnically, racially or ideologically diverse countries. In this type of democracy, a prime minister does not have as much influence or power as a president, allowing the people to elect a party and not a single person to make crucial decisions. 5. It is easy to create parties. Any group or organization can form a party or coalition that reflects a shared personal view, and then have it represented in the government. In the US, it can be difficult to gain any traction. Subsections of the two major political parties, like the Tea Party of the Republican Party, find it challenging to be represented. In fact, no third party has made any significant impact on a Presidential election since 1992. List of Cons of Parliamentary Democracy1. It doesn’t offer as much representation on a direct level. Unlike a presidential democracy or other forms of government, individual regions don’t receive the same amount of representation in this form of democracy. This is because coalitions are formed, making difficult for politicians to be held responsible for their personal conduct. 2. It allows legislations to be passed without minority approval. The coalition that gets true majority has the power to do what they wish, pass any legislation without consulting or asking for the approval of the minority. This is what happened in the United Kingdom recently. With the conservative part gaining complete majority in parliament, the opposition does not have the power to create more balanced legislation. The majority can even ignore them if it suits them. 3. It allows the legislature to vote for the head of state or prime minister and not the electorate. In a Parliamentary Democracy, an electorate is not required to vote for the head of state or prime minister. This is why this form of government is highly criticized by many. Aside from that, even before the legislature could pick the head of the government, there is already a degree of certainty as to who will win because of the party’s campaigns. 4. It is often unstable. When governance is often challenged by demanding minority, unstable coalitions and the like, this form of government could become unstable. Although many proponents contend that political culture, highly polarized votes and proportional representation all cause instability in a government, the practice of flexible election scheduling in a parliamentary and a ruling party delaying elections could also destabilize the government. No government is perfect. In fact, the advantages and disadvantages of parliamentary democracy is the same as other systems. However, any form of government can be a problem if the supposed democratic system fails or refuses to work for the people. When that happens, it would be worth reconsidering the circumstances. Pros and Cons of a religious Oligarchy What is Parliamentary Government?An oligarchy is defined as any form of government where a small amount of people are able to wield control over the larger majority. In order to develop a true understanding of this form of government, it is important to examine the pros and cons, so that an informed decision can be made about its effectiveness.List of Pros of Oligarchy1. Decisions Happen RapidlyWhile other forms of government may offer additional autonomy to their citizens, under an oligarchy, decisions are made much more rapidly, since there are less people whose approval is needed. Coming to a consensus on the issues that matter most does not take as long as it would under a more democratic government. 2. Women Are Able To Ascend To Positions Of Power In oligarchies, women actually have a far greater ability to ascend to a power position than they would in a normal form of government. Once they have climbed the ladder and made their way into the decision making group, their thoughts and feelings hold far more sway than they would typically. List of Cons of Oligarchy1. No Change To The Status QuoWhen the system that is in place benefits those who are in power, they have very little motivation to make meaningful changes, especially in situations where the system in place benefits the elite. Government systems like these are typically used as a tool to allow the rich to become even richer and the poor are left in the dust. 2. Free Speech Falls By The WaysideIn oligarchies, the average citizen has very little say over what takes place on a daily basis. Not only do they have a limited say, but their rights to free speech are often taken away, as well. This is a means for the elite to silence any uprisings before they have a chance to take place. 3. Middle Class Is Squeezed OutAn oligarchy allows the rich and powerful to become more rich and powerful, while preventing the poor from being able to improve their lot in life. As a result, the gap between the rich and poor widens and the middle class ends up being squeezed out in the process. Pros and Cons of an Autocracy What is Autocracy Government?Autocracy is a form of government in which power is controlled by only one ruler or authority. Its historical forms are dictatorship and absolute monarchy. Totalitarianism and military dictatorship can also be considered autocratic government forms but only if it is controlled by one person or ruler who has the supreme power. List of Pros of Oligarchy1. Faster Decision-makingProponents of this government form claim that having one ruler or person to decide on matters concerning a nation and without distractions and influences of others make it easier for the leader to make sound decisions he or she thinks works for the interest of the country. If the dictator is good-hearted and is not self-serving, this form of government can lead the nation to a promising future. Additionally, in emergency cases where help and action are needed, decisions can be made and carried out immediately.2. No OppositionWith only an absolute monarch or a ruler to create and enact laws, there will be no other political parties that can oppose what bills or executive orders will be passed. This makes it easier for the government to come up with plans and carrying them out. This can result to progress and prosperity of a country.3. Strong LeadershipAn autocratic leadership requires a leader who is strong, powerful and firm when it comes to making decisions and controlling a nation. An autocratic leader usually has military control and is the one who can impose on a group of people to follow his or her rules and instructions. This characteristic plays an important role in taking bold actions against enemies. With this kind of leadership, people can have a form of security since they know they have a strong leader who can act on emergency situations whether economical or territorial.List of Cons of Oligarchy1. Absolute PowerCritics of the autocratic form of government say that with this kind of leadership, power is only exercised by one person. If the leader is greedy and is not a good person, he or she will use the power to accumulate riches and abuse the people. 2. No ElectionsWith an autocracy government, the ruler will stay in power as long as he or she lives because there will be no elections unlike in a democratic government where the citizens are allowed to choose their leaders. In an autocratic leadership, succession of power will be within the family of the autocratic leader. With no elections to take place, the people will not be able to demand for change and voice out issues that go against the leadership of an autocrat. 3. Instills FearA dictatorial government, with only one person controlling the reins of governance can leave people fearing for their lives. This is because in this form of government, the people are expected to obey the rules or face hefty fines and punishment for not following the ruler. In some countries where this government type exists, people are afraid because they know what a dictator is capable of doing.Autocracy government has its benefits and drawbacks. While it works for some, it makes other uncomfortable and fearful. ................
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