Question

With the help of Zimbabwe, show that the popular approval of ruler is necessary in a democracy, but it is not sufficient

Answer 1

Robert Mugabe led Zimbabwe's freedom struggle. He was a popular leader. But his methods of ruling was not correct. He and his party used to use corrupt practices to win elections. His party used to harass other party members. Forced the media to give their version of events. After election his party came to power too often, even though they had major opposition. In a democracy, the currently ruling party or person needs to have a fair chance of losing and others need to have a fair chance of winning. Since this was not there in Zimbabwe we can conclude that popular approval of rulers in necessary but not sufficient in a democracy.