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Democracy vs. dictatorship

The fundamental distinction between Democracy and Dictatorship goes beyond just two different words. It reflects a fundamental contrast in how policies are formed and governance is conducted.  Democracy represents the popular voice and welfare of the people, while dictatorship is the suppression of that voice. The latter is driven by the corruption of power in the hands of a ruler who runs the country according to his personal desires. Understanding these two forms of government is crucial, as political composition directly impacts the quality and equality of life of the common population. In this blog, let’s explore and try to understand the differences between Democracy and Dictatorship.

What is Democracy?

To simply describe, Democracy is a form of government in which people can make themselves heard. It is a type of government by the people, for the people and of the people. In a democracy, citizen participation is very vital and without it, the system loses its very essence. In this form of government, people’s voices are represented, regardless of religious or ethnic backgrounds. Additionally, in a democratic country, anyone has the right to criticise the government.

What are the Features of a Democracy?

Here are some of the main features of a Democracy:

1. Freedom of Expression: In a Democratic form of government, every citizen has the right to express their opinions or thoughts without any fear. A person has all the freedom to criticise the government or form opinions. They are free from restrictions while expressing their voice.
2. The Sovereignty of People: In a Democracy, it is the people who choose their own choice of government through the process of elections. They choose their representatives, who are held accountable to the public.
3. Free Judiciary: The judiciary is an independent system in a democratic nation. They are not answerable even to the ruling government. The authority of a judiciary is vested in the very constitution of a country. It ensures that the operations of the judiciary remain fair and impartial even during cases that may go against the government.
4. Rule of Law: The Rule of Law is what makes a country democratic. It takes precedence over everything. Under the rule of law, every citizen is equally responsible for their actions irrespective of their political or social status.

What is a Dictatorship?

Dictatorship is a type of government where one person enjoys the power in the absence of any limitations. Dictators usually use force to take control over people to achieve political power. They maintain their government through the means of violence, and suspend their civil rights. Even though it could be at the cost of public welfare, all of this aids the dictator in running the country.

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What are the Features of a Dictatorship?

Here are some of the major features of a  Dictatorship:

• Rule of One Person: Dictatorship is very contrary to democracy. There is absence of election, and one individual maintains power without any limitations. The people are not involved in the government policy making or the ruling administration. 
• Suppression of Individual Liberty: The dictatorship government generally denies people their rights when there are no constitutional limitations. Under this kind of rule, people are subjected everyday to persecution and repression.
• Absence of the Rule of Law: This kind of government does not have any laws regarding imprisonment. They will arrest the individuals without any court trial. They may get harsh punishments even for minor infractions. 
• Absence of Judiciary: If someone is subjected to a crime, there are no courts to take charge of it. Because there is absence of a judiciary, neither the government nor its activities can be held responsible.

What distinguishes a dictatorship from a democracy?

These two types of government are very different from each other. The main difference between a dictatorship and a democracy is the shift in power. A democracy is defined by frequent elections that bring an inclusivity among all the citizens, whereas a dictatorship is characterised by  one-party rule. 

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In a Democracy, People’s voice matters and are involved in matters of governance whereas in a dictatorship, people have no relevance in the administration of the government. 

Another difference is the accountability of the government which is a fundamental characteristic of a Democracy. In a Dictatorship form of government , the ruler behaves according to his own wishes having unchecked power. 

Why is Democracy Considered Better than Dictatorship?

You might be wondering what makes Democracy better than Dictatorship and here is the reason why. This is because Democratic form of government gives more fundamental rights and human rights to the people rather than dictatorship which follows only what the dictator wants. Let's explore the major reasons why democracy is considered more than dictatorship: 

Democracy is known for its equality among the citizens. Everyone is given equal rights and the most important right being the right to choose their representatives. The administration consists of various roles like President, Governor and CEC who plays a key role in conducting free and fair elections. However, dictatorship blindly follows the dictator's rules and orders. 

Democracy involves proper rules and regulations to solve the conflicts, whether inside or outside the country, while dictatorship has no such features to solve the conflicts among its citizens. 

In political terms, Democracy can be defined as a form of legitimate government where certain individuals are the representatives of the people and the citizens also get the right to participate in elections. On the contrary, Dictatorship has no such process of elections or representing its citizens.

Democracy is an accountable political system where the government is answerable for its decisions. Citizens in a democratic government, with their rights, have the ability to question and seek clarification about the decision-making process. In contrast, dictatorship is concentrated in the hands of a ruler, who cannot be trusted to be accountable, as they prioritize their own personal interests over the well-being of the general population.

Difference Between Democracy and Dictatorship

Dictatorship is the rule of a king or queen and the rules are designed according to their own desires. 

India is a democratic country as per constitution of India that grants the following rights to its citizens: 

• Right to Equality
• Right to Freedom of Religion
• Right against Exploitation
• Cultural and Educational Rights
• Right to Freedom of Expression
• Right to Constitutional Remedies

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Frequently Asked Questions

• List the countries which are currently under dictatorship

Even in today’s contemporary world, there are many countries which are still under dictatorial rule. The list of countries includes Iran, China, North Korea, Venezuela, Syria, Egypt, Cambodia, Kazakhastan.

• Name the list of dictators ruling different countries?

The list of dictators ruling different countries are Ayatollah Khamenei, Bashar al Assad, Kim Jong Un, Nursultan Nazarbayev, Abdul Fateh al Sisi, Xi Jinping and Hun Sen.

• Which is better: Democracy vs. Dictatorship?

Democracy is the best way of living and it promotes equality, gives the right to people to choose their own government.

• How to identify or spot a dictator?

The fundamental features of a dictatorship include, suppression of civil rights, silencing the political opponents, eroding the judicial system, and relentless dissemination of disinformation and propaganda.

• Is monarchy a dictatorship or democracy?

A monarchy is typically defined as the rule of a king or queen, holding power over the people. This can be associated with dictatorship.