What are the Different Types of Democracy?

Democracy includes two types: direct and indirect . Direct democracy is a system of governance in which every person has a direct voice in governing decisions. Indirect democracy is a system of governance where the people choose their representatives for a set amount of time, and those representatives are in charge of running the government during that time.

What is the biggest Disadvantage or Demerits of Democracy?

The rule of ignorance is one of the biggest Disadvantages of Democracy . In a democracy, when leaders frequently change, instability results. People who lack education or intelligence are more likely to vote incorrectly, which might result in the selection of incorrect government officials.

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What are the Merits and Demerits of Democracy?

Q: What are the Merits and Demerits of Democracy?

The Merits and Demerits of Democracy are the facts that representatives make all important decisions of the people is one of democracy’s benefits. Democracy has the drawback that instability arises from frequent changes of leadership . Morality has little place in politics, which is about competition and power.

By BYJU'S Exam Prep

Updated on: November 14th, 2023

The Merits and Demerits of Democracy are – Merits: Rulers chosen by the populace make all significant decisions. Demerit: Election competition is the base of democracy, yet it greatly increases corruption in the nation. Democracy is a political system in which citizens elect their members to serve as the government’s representatives.

There are several benefits and drawbacks to democracy, including Because it is more accountable. Because democracy has advantages over other forms of governance, a democratic government is thought to be much more suitable. A demerit of democracy is that it is heavily impacted by political rivalry and power struggles, which eliminates any room for morality in the nation.

Table of content

1. Merits and Demerits of Democracy
2. Define Democracy
3. Write Five Merits and Demerits of Democracy
4. Merits of Democracy
5. Demerits of Democracy
6. What are the Merits and Demerits of Democracy?

Merits and Demerits of Democracy

Here we have listed the merits and demerits of democracy in the table.

Merits of Democracy	Demerits of Democracy
Government is more accountable.	Instability due to frequent change in leaders.
The right to vote is given to all citizens.	Power play and rivalry diminish morality.
Raises Level of Decision Making	Slow and sluggish process.
Enhance People’s Moral Character	No criteria for the election of representatives.
Strengthen the integrity of People.	Corruption increases in a multi-party government.
Enables citizens to correct their errors	Power rest with uneducated and unethical citizens.

Define Democracy

In a democracy, the people run the country, not the administration or the military. Democracy increases popular interest in politics by granting them the ability to choose their government representatives. In democracies, people have the opportunity to communicate with their governments directly. Voting rights, social issue awareness, and public participation are essential components of a democratic society. At the same time, instability results from frequent leadership transitions.

The Greek terms “Demos” and “Cratia” are the ancestors of the word “democracy.” Demos refers to the people, while Croatia denotes authority. Democracy, therefore, is a governance system where the people exercise political authority.

Write Five Merits and Demerits of Democracy

Democracy refers to the political structure where the citizens of a country elect the nation’s representatives. Hence, the people of the country have the power of decision-making and the government can be changed after every few years. Like any other political structure, there are various merits and demerits of democracy. However, the pros often outweigh the cons as a democratic government ensures that the people of the country get a fair opportunity to choose their representatives. The following are the five merits and demerits of democracy.

Merits of Democracy

Democracy offers a choice to the citizens to change their representatives every few years.
The right to vote and choose is given to every citizen equally despite their gender, financial status, religion, etc.
A democratic government is answerable to the people and a more responsible government.
Democracy strengthens the integrity of the people of the country.
Democracy helps the citizens fix their mistakes as no government is permanent.

Demerits of Democracy

Since the representatives and leaders of the country keep changing, it can feel like an unstable structure.
Democracy also includes power play and heavy political competition. Hence, it doesn’t leave much scope for ethics and morality.
Since various people have to be consulted in a democratic government, it can lead to delays and a slow process.
There is more scope for corruption as it is an electoral competition.
Many citizens are unaware and don’t understand what is good for them. This means they are not able to make decisions.

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