What Are Merits And Demerits Of Democracy?

Democracy is an ancient form of governance originally introduced by ancient Greeks. The first democratic regime in ancient times was installed by Romans who had representatives of the state in the state senate. That was the most rudimentary and basic form of democracy. Ideally it is described as a government of the people, for the people and managed by the people. Democracy goes hand in hand with certain ideals of Capitalism for it's economic policies and has a general safeguard constitutionally for the basic rights of people. Some merits of democracy are as follows :

1) All constituents are represented in state national and parliamentary assemblies. There are provisions for even minorities. Special interest groups or parties can voice their opinions and take an active role in policy making and amending bills for their interests.

2) All have a right to ideally profess their belief systems, pursue an education, the right to health services, right to voice their opinions and take part in governance.

3) The state provides for welfare of the people ideally.

Demerits are as follows :

1) It gives rise to rigid class structures and since it believes in the power of numbers voices of rational dissent are often stifled and one majority tends to cannibalize the share of other minorities.

2) Some people tend to become over privileged at the expense of others. The social ergonomics are extremes and find parallels only in the jungle law.

3) Presidential systems have a tendencies to turn into despotism or a person centered autocratic rule.