The Arguments For and Against Democracy
Democracy is a form of government by the people where everyone has an equal say and rights. It was first practiced in ancient Athens where all citizens could meet to debate and vote on issues. The word comes from the Greek demos (people) and kratos (rule). It is often interpreted as a form of government that gives people control over their own lives by letting them elect representatives to represent them in parliament, but the concept goes far beyond that. It also includes freedom of thought, conscience and religion – which is not something that can be taken away from anyone, even by their elected representatives. A democracy must allow for pluralism of ideas, a diversity that may challenge the current system, but which is vital to the health of a society.
In recent years, growing anger at political elites, economic dissatisfaction and anxiety about rapid social change have fueled upheaval in regions around the world. This has led to the rise of anti-establishment leaders, parties and movements, as well as protests and grassroots initiatives that call for the expansion or reform of existing democratic institutions. Organizations from the Economist Intelligence Unit to V-Dem have documented global declines in democracy’s health and have raised concerns about the future of liberal democracy.
The most common argument in favor of democracy is that it is more likely to protect individuals’ rights and interests than other forms of government. For example, John Stuart Mill argued that because democracy gives citizens a share of power in political decision-making, it makes them stand up for themselves more than they would under a monarchy or aristocracy. Other advocates of democracy claim that, by giving citizens a voice in political decision making, it cultivates their active characters and encourages them to become more independent.
A second line of argument in favor of democracy argues that it is the best form of government for solving complex problems. In particular, it is better able to exploit the underlying cognitive diversity of large groups of people than other forms of government. For example, Helene Landemore has cited the “diversity trumps ability” theorem of Scott Page and Lu Hong—that a random selection of agents from a set with limited abilities typically outperforms a group of experts—to argue that democracy is superior to other forms of government (Brennan 2013).
A third line of argument in favor of democracy claims that it is morally desirable regardless of its consequences. Specifically, it is desirable that everyone be empowered to make decisions about their own lives and the lives of those closest to them. It is this view that led to the universal declaration of human rights, which guarantees certain fundamental freedoms, including the right to vote and to hold public office.
Democracy is a form of government by the people where everyone has an equal say and rights. It was first practiced in ancient Athens where all citizens could meet to debate and vote on issues. The word comes from the Greek demos (people) and kratos (rule). It is often interpreted as a form of government that gives people control over their own lives by letting them elect representatives to represent them in parliament, but the concept goes far beyond that. It also includes freedom of thought, conscience and religion – which is not something that can be taken away from anyone, even by their elected representatives. A democracy must allow for pluralism of ideas, a diversity that may challenge the current system, but which is vital to the health of a society. In recent years, growing anger at political elites, economic dissatisfaction and anxiety about rapid social change have fueled upheaval in regions around the world. This has led to the rise of anti-establishment leaders, parties and movements, as well as protests and grassroots initiatives that call for the expansion or reform of existing democratic institutions. Organizations from the Economist Intelligence Unit to V-Dem have documented global declines in democracy’s health and have raised concerns about the future of liberal democracy. The most common argument in favor of democracy is that it is more likely to protect individuals’ rights and interests than other forms of government. For example, John Stuart Mill argued that because democracy gives citizens a share of power in political decision-making, it makes them stand up for themselves more than they would under a monarchy or aristocracy. Other advocates of democracy claim that, by giving citizens a voice in political decision making, it cultivates their active characters and encourages them to become more independent. A second line of argument in favor of democracy argues that it is the best form of government for solving complex problems. In particular, it is better able to exploit the underlying cognitive diversity of large groups of people than other forms of government. For example, Helene Landemore has cited the “diversity trumps ability” theorem of Scott Page and Lu Hong—that a random selection of agents from a set with limited abilities typically outperforms a group of experts—to argue that democracy is superior to other forms of government (Brennan 2013). A third line of argument in favor of democracy claims that it is morally desirable regardless of its consequences. Specifically, it is desirable that everyone be empowered to make decisions about their own lives and the lives of those closest to them. It is this view that led to the universal declaration of human rights, which guarantees certain fundamental freedoms, including the right to vote and to hold public office.