Democracy vs Non-Democracy
Different countries around the world have various forms of governance in place, with democracy being just one of them. Democracy is known as the rule of the people, a political system in which individuals have a say in matters that impact their lives. People have the power to elect their representatives to govern them and can also depose them if their aspirations are not met. This is referred to as the rule of ballet, where individuals participate in elections to choose the candidates they believe are best suited to run the nation’s administration. Although democracy is the favored form of governance, there are countries that follow other forms of government, all of which are referred to as non-democracies. This article will discuss the differences between democracy and non-democracy.
Democracy
The term democracy is derived from two Latin words: Demo (people) and Kratos (power). This signifies that democracy is a type of government for the people, of the people, and by the people. A key characteristic of democracies is free and fair elections, where the principle of adult suffrage is upheld and people vote for their representatives who govern them through the rule of law. Consequently, individuals have a say in the development and passage of legislation through their elected representatives.
Another significant feature of democracy is the rule of the majority. In a two-party democracy, the party with the majority (meaning it has more elected representatives) has the opportunity to govern by forming a government. In a multi-party democracy, like-minded parties form a coalition, and the coalition with the highest number of elected representatives gains power and chooses a candidate from among them to become the head of the government.
Non-Democracy
All kinds of political systems that differ from the principles of democracy are labeled non-democracies. Examples of non-democracies include autocracy (dictatorships), aristocracy (rule of kings and queens), communism, authoritarianism, and military rule. The fundamental distinction between a democracy and any other form of government is that people do not have the same level of equality and freedom they enjoy in a democracy, nor do they have as much say in the passage of legislation.
In a theocracy, there is a supreme leader (usually religious) who is above the rule of law and has the power to rule by decree. Although elections may resemble those in a democracy, this supreme leader has the authority to dismiss the elected president if they so desire. Iran is a classic example of a theocracy.
Key Takeaways
– Different systems of governance exist worldwide, with democracy being the preferred choice for many, although non-democracies are also present.
– Democracies are characterized by the rule of law, equality, and freedom for the people, while individuals have significantly less freedom and equality in non-democracies.
– No political system is entirely without flaws, and there are critics of both democracy and non-democracy.
