Democracy Essay

1260 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Media And Democracy

Democracy is the most adopted and used form of government structure for the past century which had not only be credited for major achievements but also criticized for certain shortcomings it had. For the last decade, successive debates over social media; news channels, live shows, philosophical articles and political critiques have made the effects of democracy far too controversial and have profoundly highlighted its negative aspects; funds misuse, mob ruling, minority oppression and public manipulation which have only filled the public minds with doubt and uncertainty however this so called vilest form of government also bears the acclaims for increasing awareness, sense of responsibility and rising economic growth, eventually providing the society with a stable and well civilized way of living. Moreover, the freedom rights which allow the media to liberally report the claims and opinions over the very form of government are also one of the positive out comings of democracy. Yet we claim, ignoring all benefits and welfares, that democracy is the vilest form of government present.
The democracy has a literal essence as well as a deeply rooted understanding for the structure of governing the people in a satisfactory way. The term ‘Democracy’ originates from a Greek word, implying ‘rule of the people’. As its origins designate, it’s a form of government in which all eligible citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives, either directly or through elected representatives which seems more rational since they are the ones who had to live through it. Daniel Hannan said in his article that Abraham Lincoln said “…government of the people, by the people, for the people…”. Providing the people with the rights to vot...

... middle of paper ...

...due to its flaws and malfunctioning. Although democracy does not give ideal solutions to all the problems but this must also be considered that democracy has been the latest system of governance formed and still has also to improve to meet the future requirement and challenges faced by the mankind. Since no more adequate system is present as yet, therefore democracy is definitely not the vilest form government and it is in our best interest that we use the present form of democracy to solve our problems and work on it to improve it further so that the remaining failings could be dealt with, rather than just looking at the negative aspects that are always subjected to the live television shows and critiques, as Jane Addams says "the cure for the ills of Democracy is more Democracy"(pg 41). This way we might really get on our way to find the ideal system of governance.

Show More
Related

  • Athenian Democracy Dbq Analysis

    350 Words  | 1 Pages

    Democracy is the structure of government still used today in many countries.The definition of democracy is a system of government where people who rule directly are freely elected representatives.In addition, democracy comes from the Greek word demokratia. Demo meaning people and kratia meaning power of rule. For instance, here is an example, Great Britain has a democratic government since elected officials and laws are voted on by the people and also the representatives they elect. Therefore Athens exemplifies a democratic government. “Athenians would meet and vote on a simple question …. is anyone becoming a threat to democracy? If a simple majority voted yes,then they dispersed and reassembled two months later,

    Read More

  • Paradox In One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest

    786 Words  | 2 Pages

    Democracy may be the best foundation on which to build a society, but to glorify it

    Read More

  • Education in Colonial History

    805 Words  | 2 Pages

    Before that can be established, I think a definition of democracy should be stated so that it may be called upon later in this essay. According to the American Heritage Dictionary, democracy is stated as "the principle of social equality and respect for the individual within a community" .

    Read More

  • History Of Solon And Cleisthenes: Lawmakers Of Athens

    736 Words  | 2 Pages

    The term democracy is ambiguous, but Abraham Lincoln (1863) defines it as the “government of the people, by the people and for the people.” This modern take of democracy should guarantee basic personal and political rights to every individual person, everywhere, every day. Josiah Ober (2007, p.4) points out that “the Greek word dêmokratia conjoins kratos, a term for ‘power’, and dêmos, a term for ‘the people’.” It therefore means ‘power of the people’. But the Athenians did not call it democracy at the time, “they called it ‘isonomia’ or “equality in law”, writes Bernard Randall (2004, p.86). The earliest forms of democracy were formed by the ancient Greeks around 510 B.C in Athens.

    Read More

  • Characteristics Of Democracy Essay

    1081 Words  | 3 Pages

    A memorable expression said by President Abraham Lincoln reads, “Democracy is government of the people, by the people, and for the people”. Democracy, is a derived from the Greek term "demos" which means people. It is a successful, system of government that vests power to the public or majority. Adopted by the United States in 1776, a democratic government has six basic characteristics: (i) established/elected sovereignty (where power and civic responsibility are exercised either directly by the public or their freely agreed elected representative(s)), (ii) majority rule(vs minority), (iii) (protects one’s own and reside with) human rights, (iv) regular free and fair elections to citizens (upon a certain age), (v) responsibility of

    Read More

  • The Pros and Cons of Democracy

    1621 Words  | 4 Pages

    The limitations of Democracy are clear, the complexity of its government, social divisions and other political, economic and social shortcomings detract from its successes. Additionally, it could be argued that democracy would not be as attractive as it is today had the world not witnessed the repression of authoritarian rule. Lack of personal freedoms, rapid change and many other faults in ancient democracy, fascism and communism are contrary to what people desire and resultantly enlighten what democracy advocates, aiding its increasing prevalence around the world today. Just as the late philosopher Aristotle said, “Man is by nature a political animal” (Wong/Kopstein, Sept. 12 lecture). People want political power, and so far democracy is their best attempt at achieving this.

    Read More

  • Democracy in Latin America

    2755 Words  | 6 Pages

    Firstly, K. Isbester mentions that democracy has a different meaning for everyone, as some can define democracy as a good aspect for development, on the contrary other believe that it is nothing more than voting after several years. Although, Latin America see democratic g...

    Read More

  • Plato's Criticism of Democracy

    1688 Words  | 4 Pages

    One of the contemporary definitions of democracy today is as follows: “Government by the people, exercised either directly or through elected representatives; Rule by the majority” (“Democracy” Def.1,4). Democracy, as a form of government, was a radical idea when it manifested; many governments in the early history of the world were totalitarian or tyrannical in nature, due to overarching beliefs that the strong ruled over the weak.

    Read More

  • Does Democracy Work?

    849 Words  | 2 Pages

    ... result of a direct democracy, complications like getting every citizen to vote on every single issue, something close to impossible with modern populations that grow like grass in springtime. These changes have caused democracy to become intertwined with other forms of government, and while they have caused a deviation from pure democracy, they have allowed countless nations to function efficiently while maintaining the basic pillar of democracy: that ultimate authority and power is derived from the citizens.

    Read More

  • Modernization Theory Of Democracy

    1474 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...lization, democracy remains an elusive dream for many societies in the world. The theory, in my view, remains relevant even today as many societies struggle to move towards democratic transition. The dictatorial nature of certain regimes in the world has their critics: Both domestic and international. All the same, as stated above, economic development has not facilitated democracy in many countries of the world. Yet, paradoxically, there are instances where the transition has been witnessed. Nonetheless, as to how sustainable those fragile democracies are after the changes is something to be seen. Be that as it may, the democratic transition has not always been smooth. Thus so long as transition from dictatorship to democracy, and essentially democratic transition, continues, the theory will have its relevance and potency despite the criticisms that it has faced.

    Read More

  • Benefits Of Democracy

    851 Words  | 2 Pages

    ... political system. So we can arguably, say that the argument which was earlier raised against the democracy is not the credible one and we cannot say that democracy is the vilest form of government on the basis of that argument.

    Read More

  • Democracy as the Best Form of Government

    1166 Words  | 3 Pages

    Democracy has come to mean a principle under whose flag has most of the developed countries aced in their race for Imperialism. It has gone beyond all previous governing systems and has made room for progress and development. By offering free and fair elections, democracy has redefined human dignity and patriotism. It has also helped to improve decision-making among the citizens, and brought down the crime level. Democracy is for sure the most fitting among the other types of government, and needs to be implemented fully for effective functioning of a state.

    Read More

  • Democracy Is The Worst Form Of Government

    1302 Words  | 3 Pages

    What is democracy? Democracy a form of government in which the people freely elect representatives to govern them in a country, democracy guarantees free and fair elections, basic personal and political rights and independent court of law. There are two types of democracy, direct and indirect democracy. Direct democracy or pure democracy is where there is direct participate of the people; people make decisions for them instead of letting them representative make decision for them. Indirect democracy the decisions are made by the representative on behalf of the people that voted for them. All over the world people are having different views with regard to democracy and how it operates. “It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried” ~ Winston Churchill, some have said democracy is the worst government form of government which I also think it’s! Due to the how it operates.

    Read More

  • Importance Of Democracy Essay

    1528 Words  | 4 Pages

    As Julia Paley summarizes, “The most straightforward assertion is that democracy is a political form, differentiable from other political forms such as monarchy and dictatorship. Within that rubric there exists ‘different systems of democracy: advanced liberal democracy, parliamentary democracy, electoral democracy, socialist democracy”(Paley). In other words, Paley believes that democracy can be described as a generic terminology used to encompass any political system that involves a voting process. With so many different methods and regulations in practice regarding to the processes of electing legislatures, parliaments, presidents, and prime ministers, it becomes increasingly difficult to express the idea of democracy as a simple, all-inclusive

    Read More

  • Modern Democracy

    2102 Words  | 5 Pages

    In 1947, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Sir Winston Churchill, articulated a scathing opinion of the global political spectrum in the post-war era after witnessing the fall of European fascism in Germany and Italy as well as the impending rise of communism. He remarked, “It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried.” This essay agrees vehemently with Churchill’s assertion that democracy – for all of its faults – was, and still is, the world’s preeminent form of government when compared with all other alternatives, notably fascism and communism. By analyzing modern democracy in theory and in practice, this paper elucidates how democracy is at an intrinsic advantage in protecting individual rights and freedoms, securing a safe and fair nation, as well as facilitating economic and personal growth when compared to other systems. In order to demonstrate this advantage, it is necessary that an argument be made for the inherent benefits of modern democracy’s fundamental tenet. Individual freedom is not only objectively good; it is necessary for a government to work effectively. Democracy provides a protection and safety that the totalitarian states of communism and fascism do not. Safety and confidence in the system preclude political participation on an individual level, which leads to a more fair and representative government overall.

    Read More

More about Democracy Essay

Open Document