Democratic State | Advantages of the Democratic Static System | Disadvantages of Democratic State System
Democratic State
In a democratic state, the power to rule is vested in all members of the state or the hands of the people. People participate in this form of governance, and they form this government. This is a form of governance that is run for the welfare of the people by direct participation of the people. In a democratic state, people enjoy the right to express an opinion and to criticize the government. In this form of state, the government is changed through elections held in a constitutional way. In a democratic state, there is more than one political party. This form of governance ensures interests for all and recognizes citizens, rights and the rule of law. Bangladesh, India, the United States, UK, etc. are democratic states.
Advantages of the Democratic Static System
There are many good sides of democracy. Some qualities of democracy are described below:
Safeguard of Individual Liberty: In democratic states, people can express their opinions independently. They can criticize the government. People participate in running the government. As a result, individual liberty expands. Citizens' rights are protected in a democratic state.
Responsible Governance: In this governance, people's representatives are accountable to the people. They try to work for the welfare of the people so that they could be elected in the next election. As a result, responsible governance is established.
Symbol of equality and equal rights: All are equal in democracy. All enjoy equal rights and opportunities regardless of ethnic, religious, and racial identities in this form of governance. All participate in the activities of the state equally.
Increase of citizen's status: People's elected representatives run the democratic state. As the people can participate in governance, they can realise their importance. This is how patriotism is created in them. Personality and status grow and enhance.
Established on logic and consent: Democratic system is based on the consent of the people. There is no scope for the use of force in democracy. In the end, people's will and logic get priority.
Gaining Political Education: In this form of state, citizens avail themselves of the opportunity to think of complicated political matters. People's political consciousness increases by taking part in elections and by hearing the statements of political parties.
Less probability of Revolution: Democracy is a system of flexible governance. If people wish, they could change the government through the systematic procedure. There is no need for a revolution.
Disadvantages of Democratic State System
Despite many positive qualities, there are some demerits in democracy. These are discussed below:
Priority of number over qualities of competence: Loss and win in democracy is determined by election, so the number enjoys more importance than qualities. In other words, it counts heads but undetermined merit.
Party Governance: Democratic governance is party governance. The party that wins the majority in electrons forms the government. The elected party runs the government considering their interests. As a result, people's resentment piles up.
Expensive and Wastage of Money: The government is formed by elections. To conduct elections, a vast amount of money is required. During elections, candidates spend a lot of money. Every political party spends a huge amount of money on leaflets, posters and public meetings to secure public support in the election. Consequently, wastage of time and resources occurs.
Frequent Changes of Policy: In democracy, the government changes periodically. The elected party in democracy forms the government for a fixed period and every political party adopts their programs based on their policies. On some occasions, the government's term ends before the implementation of its programs. With the change of government, its policies change too. It obstructs developments in the state.
Steps for a successful democracy and democratic behaviour
In the present world, democracy is the best and most acceptable system of governance. But there are many obstacles on the way to its successful exercise or implementation. To remove these obstacles and make democracy successful, many factors are required to be fulfilled. The success of democracy requires an educated and conscious population, economic equality and social system established on justice, efficient administration and appropriate leadership. In addition to these, other factors can make democracy successful. They are tolerance, the rule of law, free and independent media, more than one political parties and political tolerance. The most important element that is also required is: citizens have to be democratic in their mentalities. They have to behave democratically in personal, social and political spheres. For this reason, achieving the following qualities is necessary:
- Citizens have to be tolerant of others' opinions. All have to be allowed to express their opinions. Others' opinions must be respected and the mentality is to be shown to accept majority opinion as opinion for all. One's own or party opinion cannot be imposed upon others by force.
- Self and partisan interests must be avoided. This applies to all citizens and political parties. The opposition should not work for the opposition only. All have to work for the welfare of the country.
- Besides securing own rights, respect should to be shown to the rights of others. Consciousness is needed so that securing one's own rights does not violate rights of others.
- Cooperation, tolerance and mutual understanding are to be maintained by different communities and groups.
- Respect is to be shown to individuality. Along with this, the qualities of a good citizen have to be achieved. Citizens have to be intelligent, self-restrained and conscientious.
- Election is the medium of democracy. Citizens must cooperate so that free and neutral elections can be held. Citizens have to cast their votes with consciousness so that incompetent persons cannot be elected. This is how democracy becomes stronger.
- The rule of law is the heart of democracy. For this reason, all have to obey laws. All are equal in the eyes of the law. So all have to be treated equally. In other words, providing equal rights and opportunities is essential.
Every citizen has to be careful to learn and practice these democratic norms to make democracy successful.
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