Key Points

Democracy is considered a better form of government because it promotes equality among citizens, enhances individual dignity, improves the quality of decision-making, provides a method to resolve conflicts, and allows room to correct mistakes.

A common dilemma is that while democracy is seen as good in principle, it is often felt to be not so good in its actual practice. Many people are dissatisfied with the functioning of democracy in their countries.

Democracy is a form of government that can only create conditions for achieving something. It does not guarantee outcomes; citizens must take advantage of these conditions to achieve their goals.

The most basic outcome of democracy should be a government that is accountable to its citizens and responsive to their needs and expectations. People should have the right to choose their rulers and have control over them.

Democracy is based on deliberation and negotiation, which can cause delays. However, this process makes decisions more acceptable to the people and more effective, making the time cost worthwhile.

In a democracy, citizens have the right and the means to examine the process of decision-making. This is known as transparency and is often missing in non-democratic governments.

A democratic government is a legitimate government because it is the people's own government. Even if it is slow or inefficient, its legitimacy is a crucial outcome that earns it overwhelming support.

Evidence from 1950-2000 shows that dictatorships have a slightly higher rate of economic growth. However, the difference is negligible, and democracy is preferred for its other positive political and social outcomes.

Democracies are based on political equality, providing each citizen with one vote. Despite this, democracies often experience growing economic inequalities, with a small number of ultra-rich holding a disproportionate share of wealth.

Democracies have not been very successful in reducing economic inequalities and poverty. Democratically elected governments often do not seem as keen to address the question of poverty as one might expect.

Democracy is expected to produce a harmonious social life by accommodating various social divisions. A democratic rule is accommodative as long as every citizen has a chance of being in the majority at some point.

Democracy is far superior to any other form of government in promoting the dignity and freedom of the individual. It provides the legal and moral basis for struggles for equality, such as for women and discriminated castes.

The most distinctive feature of democracy is that its examination never ends. As people get some benefits, they ask for more, which is a testimony to the success of democracy in creating aware and critical citizens.

Public expression of dissatisfaction with democracy shows its success. It transforms people from the status of a passive subject into that of an active citizen who can critically evaluate power holders.