Defence of Democracy (Merits And Advantages)

We have mentioned a number of defects and drawbacks of democracy. But we should also look at the other side of the picture. Democracy has also many merits and advantages.

Merits

It stands for the welfare of the people

Democracy is the government of the people for their own welfare and happiness, because it has tremendous reserves of popular energy. J.S Mill, one of its great advocates, has pointed out two reasons why democracy is superior to all other forms of government in promoting the welfare of the nation. Firstly, democracy alone enables the individual to “stand up” for his rights and interests, and secondly, it alone attains a high degree of general prosperity because it enlists the personal energies of the people for promoting and spreading it. Everybody feels greater incentive to work hard for the welfare of the community because he feels that his country’s laws and government is his own.

It is based on equality

Democracy is based on political equality, that is, everyone is fit to participate in the business of governing his country. It rejects the aristocratic belief that some persons are born to rule and others to be ruled.

Oh the olher hand, it upholds the right of each man to rule and be ruled. In Itmocracy the people are at once the sovereign and the subjects, the rulers anil the ruled. Moreover, democracy also provides equal opportunities to all etli/.rns tor personal betterment and happiness. It rejects all kinds of rflallnclions and advantages derived from class privileges of birth or wealth. That in the reason why democracy has been described as a great leveller. It Sppudiates special privileges and other inequalities, as existed in the feudal loclely of landlords and nobles, and in other past societies. In democracy, one man is as good as another and has the same chances of self- dcvelopmcnt and happiness.

It upholds liberty and fraternity

Quite obviously, democracy is based on political liberty, because it exitilii only when every citizen has the right to vote, to hold public office, criticise the government and enjoy other rights. Democracy encourages the people to enjoy liberty and freedom of thought, speech and association. It affords far greater scope for individual liberty and variability than any other Ini in ol government because it accords with the general will of the people. It in that lorm of government in which those who hold supreme power are nut only elected by the people but also are subject to popular control and responsibility, which is done by holding elections at regular intervals. It is this representative and responsible character of democracy that made J.S. Mill define it as that form of government in which “the whole people or ionic numerous portion of them exercise the governing power through deputies periodically elected by themselves.”

It is an efficient form of government

’1116 advocates of democracy refute the charges of inefficiency and Incompetence on the basis of its elective and responsible nature. They assert thnt popular election, popular control and popular responsibility ensure a grcnler degree of efficiency than any other system of government. They lustily their claim of efficiency on the plea that as the people themselves rled their rulers, they get a better kind of government and better laws Itccuuse they conform to the wishes and opinions of the people. The wearer knows where the shoe pinches. It is only in democracy that the people can mlluence the government discussion and decisions than in any other form of government, whether a monarchy or a dictatorship. Thus democracy insures the double advantage of efficiency and good government.

II ensures stable government

Due to popular participation, popular control and responsibility, democracy is a far more stable form of government than any other. The people know that the government is their government, elected by them and responsible to them. They take pride in it and are ready to defend it in times of danger or crisis. It enjoys popular support. It is based on the consent of

the people. There is little or no chance of revolt or revolution against a democratic government, because the people can change it by peaceful and constitutional means of elections and by freely expressing public opinion. Elections are the safety-valves of popular government. Democracy is immune to revolutionary upheavals and changes, because it is supported and defended by the people. The strength and stability of democracy was demonstrated by the World War II which was a war between democracy and dictatorship. Popular support enabled democratic governments to defeat and crush the German, Italian and Japanese dictatorships.

It has great educative value

The greatest merit of democracy is its educative value. It has an elevating influence on the character of the people. It develops the intellectual and spiritual qualities of men. By affording opportunities to participate in elections and public discussions and decisions, democracy stimulates interest among the people in public affairs. It strengthens their patriotism by allowing them a share in its administration. Democracy means not only good government but also self-government. It is government by the people. The supreme test of a State, says Lowell, is the kind of character of the people it creates, “The best government in the long run”, he says, “is one that nurtures a people strong in moral fibre, in industry, self-reliance and courage.”

Democracy produces just this kind of character. Participation in political discussions and decisions makes the people intelligent and politically conscious. They learn to work together in a spirit of cooperation and tolerance. Although an ordinary man may not possess much knowledge of government, yet by active participation he learns much about it. He acquires civic sense and is willing to fulfil his duties and responsibilities. He becomes an enlightened citizen. He becomes a good citizen, as he learns to sacrifice his narrow, personal interests for the common good of all. In short, democracy enables the individual “to be his best self. De Tocqueville rightly remarked that one of the great advantages of democracy is that it serves as a sort of training school for citizenship.

  • Add Your Comment

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.