DEFINATION
democracy may be defined in the words of abraham lincoln:"Government of the people,for the people and by the people". Thus democracy is a public kind of government.All classes of people from a layman to a lord take part in democracy.That is why this form of government is widely liked by nations all over the world.It is most favorite form of government of this age.Many people like democracy for its favorable features.They are as follows.
Advantages
democracy impedes the way of cruel rulers.As people themselves elect their rulers,they do not vote for stern savages.They try to elect those people who are polite and cultured.Then these kind rulers ever try to solve the problems of their voters.They work for the welfare of the state.Democracy prevents wars.War is a necessary evil.But in this age of nuclear weapons,a war would mean a wholesale killing of humans.Democratic rulers do not take the risk of wars.Rather they try to resolve their disputes by diplomatic dialogues.Thus democracy indirectly prevent wars.
Democracy brings about the prosperity of the state.The elected members of the ruling class know that they have come to the throne by the votes of the masses.Therefore,they try to satisfy their votes otherwise they know that people would not cast their votes in favor of them in the next election.
Democracy tends to foster human development.It works for the better health of the masses.It generates opportunities for education.It tries to enhance human facilities.It tries to promote better living conditions.
Democracy promotes political culture and democratic values.People know the power of their votes.They participate effectively in the political process.They make their views about the political policies of various political parties.They have got full right to accept or reject a policy.Thus the democratic process is decided by the people and not by the political organizations.
Democracy safeguard the fundamental interests of the people.It helps people to exercise their legal and political rights.It creates a sense of pride in the masses that they are living under the laws of their own choice.Thus people become law-abiding.Democracy also creates an environment of political equality.All the citizens enjoy equal rights and privileges.
Being popular is no guarantee for a thing to be asserted as good.So,we cannot say that democracy is the only form of good government.It has advantages as well as disadvantages.Some of the disadvantages are discussed below.
Disadvantages
democracy brings about inequalities in economic and social resources.People with greater resources naturally win the election and come to power.They influence the political system and the economic policies of the state to their advantage.Thus they hinder a satisfactory level of political equality.They try to oblige the workers of their political party.Thus democracy causes inequality and injustice.Democracy is also dangerous when the majority of corrupt and dishonest people come into power.They misuse their powers and authority.They have won the election by the dint of their social status and wealth.Thus their first preference is to earn money many times greater than the money they have spent during the election.
If we analyze democracy from the point of view of our country,we come to know that it has never been successful in pakistan.The main reasons are lack of education,lack of political sense and interruption from non-political elements.No government has ever been given a chance to run its affairs smoothly.But in spite of all this,if our political leaders pay some heed to the golden rules of islamic democracy,they would be successful rulers indeed.
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