How is democracy the most effective system of government?

• Effective participation. Before a policy is adopted or rejected, Dēmos have the opportunity to make their views about the policy known to other members.
• Equality in voting. Dēmos have the opportunity to vote for or against the policy, and all votes are counted as equal.
• Informed electorate. Members of the Dēmos have the opportunity, within a reasonable amount of time, to learn about the policy and about possible alternative policies and their likely consequences.
• Citizen control of the agenda. The Dēmos, and only the Dēmos, decides what matters are placed on the decision-making agenda and how they are placed there. Thus, the democratic process is “open” in the sense that the Dēmos can change the policies of the association at any time.
• Inclusion. Each and every member of the Dēmos is entitled to participate in the association in the ways just described.
• Fundamental rights. Each of the necessary features of ideal democracy prescribes a right that is itself a necessary feature of ideal democracy. Democracy consists of more than just political processes; it is also necessarily a system of fundamental rights.

Direct Democracy

• The citizens participate in the decision-making personally, contrary to relying on intermediaries or representatives.
• The use of a lot system, a characteristic of Athenian democracy, is unique to direct democracies.
• Decisions are made directly by the people, such as in a town meeting, or via referendum elections.

Presidential Democracy

• Public elects the president through free and fair elections.
• The president is head of state and head of government controlling most of the executive powers.
• The president serves for a specific term and cannot exceed that amount of time.

Representative Democracy

• Government officials are elected by the people being represented.
• If the head of state is also democratically elected then it is called a democratic republic.
• The most common mechanisms involve election of the candidate with a majority or a plurality of the votes.
• Most western countries have representative systems.

Parliamentary Democracy

• Government is appointed by, or can be dismissed by, representatives as opposed to a "presidential rule" wherein the president is both head of state and the head of government and is elected by the voters.
• The greatest representation in the parliament forms the government, its leader becoming prime minister or chancellor.
• The prime minister may be removed from power whenever he loses the confidence of a majority of the ruling party or of the parliament.

Hybrid or Semi-Direct

• Some modern democracies that are predominantly representative also heavily rely upon forms of political action that are directly democratic.
• These democracies, which combine elements of representative democracy and direct democracy, are called hybrid democracies, semi-direct democracies or participatory democracies.
• Examples include Switzerland and some U.S. states, where frequent use is made of referendums and initiatives.

Liberal Democracy

• Liberal democracy is a political philosophy that revolves around the representative system founded on the ideas of liberty and equality, or liberalism.
• Generally supports notions such as:
• Freedom of Speech
• Freedom of the Press
• Freedom of Religion
• Free markets
• Civil Rights
• International Cooperation (The League of Nations, later evolving into the United Nations)

We believe democracy is the most effective form of government because its foundation is based on the ideas of liberty and equality, and is the best form to guarantee people's three basic rights (life, liberty, and property).

How is democracy the most effective system of government?

What is "Democracy"?

• Government by the people
• dēmokratiā = dēmos (“people”) + kratos (“rule”)

History of Democracy

• For thousands of years, the kind of association in which democracy was practiced--the tribe or the city-state--was small enough to function as a democracy by assembly
• Western ideas of democracy are derived from ancient Greek and Roman
• American democracy found its philosophical basis from the British philosopher John Locke.

Government Structure

"Dēmos:" Root in Greek meaning People

Government Function: Forms of Democracy

Other Forms

Citations:

1. Bernard Manin. Principles of Representative Government. pp. 8-11 (1997)

2. O'Neil, Patrick H. Essentials of Comparative Politics. 3rd ed. New York: W. W. Norton &, 2010. Print

3. "Radical Revolution - The Thermidorean Reaction". Wsu.edu. 1999-06-06. Archived from the original on 1999-02-03. Retrieved 2010-08-22.

4. "Apecsec.org." Apecsecorg. N.p., 23 May 2014. Web. 28 Sept. 2015.

5. Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com, n.d. Web. 28 Sept. 2015.

6. "democracy." Britannica School. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 2015. Web. 28 Sep. 2015.

7. "Library Home ." Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Sept. 2015.

8. Genovese, Michael A. "Democracy." Encyclopedia of American Government and Civics. 2008. American History Online. Web. 29 Sept. 2015. <http://online.infobase.com/HRC/Search/Details/168836?q=Democracy>.

9. Henderson, Robert E. "Liberal Democracy." Encyclopedia of American Government and Civics. 2008. American History Online. Web. 29 Sept. 2015. <http://online.infobase.com/HRC/Search/Details/168529?q=Democracy>.

10. Gunn, Alastair. "Democracy and the Environment." Encyclopedia of American Environmental History. 2010. American History Online. Web. 29 Sept. 2015. <http://online.infobase.com/HRC/Search/Details/207976?q=Democracy>.

11. http://www.washingtontimes.com/blog/watercooler/2012/dec/17/most-democratic-us-15th-list/

Pros of Democracy

Cons of Democracy

Conclusion

Misuse of Time and Public Funds - Democracy can also lead to wasted resources and time. This also takes huge time in law formulations. Also, lots of money is being spent during election. There is also the possibility of being ruled by irresponsible and incompetent leaders who just waste public funds for their recreations and tours.

Wrong Choice - Not all individuals under a democratic country are aware of political and social circumstances in their country. Some of them are not even acquainted with political issues. This may lead to erroneous decisions and selection in the event of elections.

Give More Emphasis on Quantity instead of Quality - Another disadvantage of democracy is that this gives more emphasis on quantity instead of quality in terms of services.

Protects the Interest of Citizens -Citizens have the right to vote on political, social, and economical issues as well as the representatives that they want to be in charge of major decisions, like the President. This greatly protects the citizens from anything they disagree with occurring.

Promotes equality - Democracy is generally based on the rule of equality. This means that all members of a country or a state are equal in the eyes of law. Every individual has the right to enjoy and experience equal economic, political and social rights and the state is not allowed to discriminate citizens on the standard of sex, caste, property and religion.

Responsibility and Stability in Administration - Democracy is recognized for its efficiency, firmness and stability. When there is fixed and elected representatives, a more stable and responsible government is formed. The administration is also conducted and ruled with sense of dedication and responsibility. Individuals under a democratic system discuss matters and issues thoroughly in order to come up with reasonable decisions.

Promotes Change - Democracy paved the way for changes in the government without having the use any form of violence. This makes people feel great and provide them with ideal sense of involvement and participation.