Question

why democracy is important ?
(5 marks)​

Answer 1

Answer:

Democracy is considered the best form of government for these reasons.

(i) It is a more accountable form of government as it has to respond to the needs of the people.

(ii) Democracy improves the quality of decision- making as it is based on consultation and discussion.

(iii) Democracy provides a method to deal with differences and conflicts as differences are bound to occur.

iv) Democracy enhances the dignity of citizens as it is based the principle of political equality.  

v) It allows us to correct its own mistakes in which rulers have to change their decisions or the rulers have to be changed.

Explanation:

Answer 2

Answer:

The word ‘democracy’ comes from a Greek which means ‘rule by the people.’ It’s used to describe a system of government where power is held by the citizens. They can impact important decisions, either directly or through the people they elect.

Democracy is based on freedom and equality between all people. It’s often described as the ‘rule of the majority’, as important decisions are based on the votes of the people. This can either be:

Through direct democracy. Everyone gets the chance to vote on the outcome of a decision. An example is the Brexit referendum in 2016.

Through representative democracy. People vote to elect officials to make decisions to reflect the wishes of the people, such as the US Congress and UK Parliament.

Democracies should protect the best interests of the people, regardless of their race, gender, sexuality, religion or political opinion.

What other systems are used?

Today, there are around 75 countries in the world that have democracies of some kind. However, some countries have different systems of government:

Oligarchy. While democracies give power to the many, oligarchies give power to the few. It’s a system where a small number of people hold power, usually thanks to their wealth, social status, education or business interests. Power is often passed from one group to the next without the majority of the population voting. Some present day examples include Russia, Iran and Saudi Arabia.

• Autocracy. In autocracies, a single person possesses absolute power to rule over the country. This ‘autocrat’ is often above the laws that apply to everyone else. For example, the North Korean dictatorship is currently the longest enduring autocratic regime post World War II.
• Constitutional monarchy. A constitutional monarchy is a form of government in which a singular person (a monarch - usually a king or queen) has agreed to share power with a constitutionally organised form of government. Monarchs usually achieve their position through hereditary succession, meaning they are born into it through their family. Common examples include Britain, Belgium and Spain.

What are the benefits of democracy?

• Winston Churchill once famously said, ‘democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.’ Although not perfect, democracy aims to bring the most benefits to the most number of people. These include:

• Protecting the interests of citizens. People get the chance to vote on the key issues affecting their country or can elect representatives to make these decisions. In the USA, the federal government allows members of each state to elect an official representative for their state to protect their interests at a higher government level.
• Promoting equality. One principle of democracy is that all people are equal in the eyes of the law, and every person gets a vote. For example, Canada has a universal franchise decree in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which explicitly allows every citizen of Canada the right to vote in any Canadian election.
• Preventing abuse of power. In democracies, people in authority are usually elected by people who vote them in. They are therefore responsible for carrying out the will of those who elected them. If they misuse their position, they won’t be re-elected.
• Creating stability. Democracies have rules and laws that provide stability and protect human rights (see our guide on Understanding human rights to find out more). Democratic governments have time to make changes that are in the interests of everyone.

Why is democracy important for young people?

For young people, democracy can seem like a great system where anyone’s voice can be heard, though it might be frustrating if you’re not yet of voting age.

In the US and in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, you must be 18 before you can vote. In Scotland, you must be 16. But in a democracy, you can still make your voice heard if you are younger than that. For example:

In the UK, organisations such as the British Youth Council encourage young people to get involved in matters that affect them. They help people under the age of 25 make a difference in their local, national, and international communities and democracies.

Generation Citizen in the US takes a similar approach. They’re ensuring that young people have the skills to participate in their democracy.

In both countries, you can contact your MPs or representatives to voice your opinions and concerns. They are responsible for carrying out the wishes of the people they represent, including you.

Both the US and UK allow the right to peaceful protest. If there’s a cause that you believe in, you can attend rallies and protests to show your support.