2. Major Aspects
Democracy vs dictatorship
Where did the word Democracy originate?
What is Democracy?- Meaning and Definition.
Features of Democracy
Merits and Demerits of Democracy
Difference between Democratic and Non Democratic
form government.
Democracy- Direct & Indirect Democracy
3. Dictatorship
A dictatorship consists of rule by one person or a
group of people
A dictatorship is a body of government where total
control and dominance lies with a small group of
people or one person. A good example of a
dictatorship is . North Korea (Kim Jong Il
A leader takes control over the gov’t and has total
power
6. From where the word democracy is
derived
The word democracy is derived from the Greek word
Demos- People
Kratos- Power or rule
7. Meaning of Democracy
Democracy is a form of government in which the
rulers are elected by the people.
Abraham Linkon-
Democracy is a government of the people, by the
people and for the people.
8. Features of Democracy
In a democracy the final decision making power must rest
with those who elected by the people.
A democracy must be based on a free and fair election
where those currently in power have a fair chance of
losing.
In a democracy, each adult citizen must have one vote
and each vote must have one value.
A democratic government rules within limits sets by
constitutional law and citizen’s right.
The opposition parties are allowed to function freely
before and after the elections.
The democratic governments are based on fundamental
principles of political equality.
9. Merits of Democracy
A democratic government is a better government because
it is a more accountable form of government.
Democracy improves the quality of decision making.
Democracy provides a method to deal with differences
and conflicts. It is suitable the countries like India. India
having diversity of language, religion and cultures.
Democracy in India made it possible to keep unity in
diversity.
In a democracy no one is a permanent winner or loser.
10. Merits of Democracy
Democracy is better than other forms of government
because it allows us to correct its own mistakes.
Democracy enhances the dignity of citizens, because
it is based on the principle of political equality, on
recognizing that the poorest and least educated have
the same status as the rich and the educated.
11. Demerits or Drawbacks of Democracy
Leaders keep changing in a democracy. This leads to
instability.
Democracy is all about political competition and
power play. There is no scope for morality.
Elected leaders do not know the best interest of the
people. It leads to bad decisions.
Democracy leads to corruption for it is based on
electoral competition.
Ordinary people don’t know what is good for them;
they should not decide anything.
12. Distinguish between Democratic and
Non Democratic government
Democratic Govt
Democracy is the best
form of government as
the rulers are
accountable to the
people and have to
fulfill their needs.
Non Democratic Govt
The rulers are not
accountable to the
people and their needs.
13. Comparison
Democratic
In democratic
government people
elect their rulers and
have right in decision
making.
The parliament is a
separate body and has
no interference of
army.
Non Democratic
People don not elect
their rulers and have
no right in decision
making.
The parliament cannot
pass a law about the
army without the
consent of the chief of
army.
14. Comparison
Democartic
Any citizen can aspire to
contest election for any
post irrespective of his or
her caste, religion, socioeconomic and
educational background
which means the right of
vote is available to all
citizens.
Non Democratic
The citizens of the
country have no right
to vote.
15. Comparison
Democratic
Democracy is based on
consultation and in
democratic govt people
enjoy their right of
discussion.
There are free and fair
elections. Elections offer
a choice and fair
opportunity to the people
to change the current
rulers.
Non Democratic
Non democratic govt is
based on dictatorship.
The ruler does what he
wishes.
In a democratic
government elections are
either not held and if
held they are not fair
enough rather they are
imposing.
16. Comparison
Democratic
Non Democratic
There is a freedom of
There is no freedom of
expression and people
enjoy their
fundamental rights.
Example- India
expression and people
do not enjoy their
fundamental rights.
Example- Saudi
Arabia, Zimbabwe.
17. METHODS of Democracy
There are two methods of democracy
Direct democracy
Indirect democracy or representative democracy
Representativeive method
Direct method
18. Direct Democracy
It is a political setup, where the people themselves
makes the laws and parliament directly in the
functioning of the govt.
Decisions are taken on the base of the majority of
opinion.
It is suitable for the geographically small countries with
less population.
Eg : Ancient Greek/ Rome
Modern period- Switzerland
19. Description
The power of gov’t
is controlled directly
by the people
Everyone votes on
every issue
Example
New England Town
Meetings
Direct Democracy
20. In Direct Democracy
In the modern world most of the countries are
following the in direct democracy.
It is system, in which the representatives are
elected by the people and they act on behalf of the
people.
They are so sensitive to cater the needs and opinion of
the people.
21. In Direct Democracy
Description
The people
elect
representatives
who then make
decisions for
them
Example
The
United
States, India
,Afghanistan
22. Forms of Representative Democracy
There are two major forms of Representative
Democracies:
Parliamentary
Presidential
23. Parliamentary Democracy
Voters elect members to a Parliament (legislature)
Example: British Parliament
Has two Houses:
House of Commons:
House of Lords:
The Political Party with the most votes in the House
of Commons chooses the Prime Minister, the
government’s leader with no set length of term.
24. Presidential Democracy
Voters elect (directly or indirectly) the president.
Therefore, in the presidential system voters have a
more direct say about those who serve in two
branches of the government :
Legislative
Executive
25. In Democracy majority of people rule
through their elected representatives- Why?
Modern democracies involves such a large number of
people that it is physically impossible for them to sit
together and take a collective decision.
Even if they could, the citizen does not have the time,
the desire or the skills to take part in all the decisions.
26. Aims of Good Democracy
True democracy will come to this country only when
no one goes hungry to bed.
In a democracy every citizen must be able to play
equal role in decision making. For this you don’t
need just an equal right to vote. Every citizen needs
to have equal information, basic education, equal
resources and a lot of commitment.