Democracy as a concept

In any ordinary society, a mode of governance is vital to help attain law and order. This scenario suggests that models of governance such as democracy, monarchy and authoritarianism are entrenched into the lives of the electorate. Democracy, for instance, has gained prominence in most countries, both developed and developing because it allows the masses to elect their leaders through the ballot. In other words, it’s a governance model that is founded on fair competition, transparency and accountability allowing all potential leaders to try their chances of ascending to power (Harrison, 2002). According to historians, democracy involves the equal participation of the electors to elect their preferred representatives who participate in their political self-determination. However, unlike other forms of governance that have been labeled evil, democracy is highly overrated based on numerous factors.

Democracy, for example, concentrates too much on quantity instead of quality. This aspect implies that all persons irrespective of their intelligence are considered equal and thus fit to participate in the electoral process. It mixes both the ignorant and the informed hence diluting the essence of rationale in electing clear-minded leaders (Manisha et al, 2009). Consequently, a government established on the principles of democracy thrives on mediocrity instead of sense to propel the respective country prosperity and success.

People’s will is also characterized by inefficiency because political leaders emphasize on alliances rather than serving the people (Harrison, 2002). As a result, a cult of incompetence grows within the political leadership hence ruining the cherished ideals and principles of democracy.

Corruption equally proves that democracy is overrated because of several political compromises such as the formation of new alliances, lobbying and creation of coalitions to accommodate cronies and relatives (Manisha et al, 2009). Therefore, democracy encourages the distribution of power and privilege to non-deserving persons instead of the needy who often participate in the national and local elections. Favoritism of the regime also leads to discontent and hatred among the masses and could ignite sectarian violence.

Democracy is also overrated because it results to the establishment of too many political parties that lack honest manifestos and ideals of bringing change to the people. A majority of political parties, for example, thrive on spreading misinformation to survive. Others offer Utopian promises by falsifying facts and distorting issues of vital importance in the overall development of a country (Harrison, 2002). Consequently, the electorate becomes disenchanted and discouraged with the system thus hampering their collective effort of building the nation.

The cost of managing an effective democracy also proves that it is an overrated governance model. This case is apparent in the funding of the cabinet especially the remuneration of ministers and their assistants including the representatives of the legislature (Harrison, 2002. In other words, the government creates a huge deficit in the national budget before it disburses the funds for development and payment of its workers.

Considerably, from overrated governance model emanates the interference with people’s liberties and freedoms. Democracy creates difficulties for the masses because it accords most of its powers to the executive who, in effect, determine how people relate with one another). This despicable aspect has resulted to the promotion of outdated practices such as McCarthyism in the US. Additionally, in India, its executive enjoys the discretion of provoking the Preventive Detention Act in case of a crime threatening the powers of the president. It means the electorate remains at the mercy of the state for safety (Manisha et al, 2009).

References

Harrison, R. (2002). Democracy. New York, NY: Routledge.

Manisha, M et al (2009). Indian Democracy: Problems and Prospects. New York, NY: Anthem Press.