Democracy vs dictatorship

In a democratic form of government the ultimate power lies in the hands of the people and they play a very important role in the governing process. It is a government which is based on the consent of the people, while a dictatorial government is a government by one man or a group of persons who acquire power either through force or by force and consent both. In a dictatorship, power is exercised in an arbitrary manner. In a democratic government, people elect their representatives and every person enjoys equal political rights; in a dictatorial form of government the head of the state is not elected. In a democracy people enjoy rights and liberties. These are guaranteed in the constitution. But in a dictatorial form of government there is absolute denial of civil liberties and people are denied equal rights. In a democratic government people can freely discuss the policies of the government. They can criticize the government for its lapses. But in a dictator­ship, the dictator decides and implements his policies arbitrarily and dissen­sions and criticisms are not tolerated. In a democratic government people have the power to change the govern­ment through the ballot, but a dictator rules the country by force and sustains his positions through force. Only a revolutionary upheaval may lead to a change in a dictatorship. In a democracy, there is an opposition party in the legislature which checks the passing of any arbitrary legislation, while in a dictatorship the dictator is the law maker, law implementer and law adjudicator. 1. Democracy emphasizes rights whereas Dictatorship emphasizes duties: Democracy lays emphasis on the rights of the individual, whereas dictatorship emphasized duties. The concept of democracy is based on individual liberty. The greater the individual liberty in a country, the more democratic it will be. The dictators consider individual liberty to be something out of place. They lay stress on the obedience of laws and faithful performance of duties. The democratic slogan of liberty, equality and fraternity is replaced by them in the form of duty, discipline and sacrifice. 4. Democracy encourages free thought whereas Dictatorship suppresses free thought and action: Democracy believes that freedoms of speech, press and association are the basic postulates of good government. Dictators, on the contrary, categorically deny these free­doms. No opposition to the dictator’s party is tolerated. All political organizations arc banned. The press is completely subordinated to the government. Democracy, on the other hand, is based on the principles of free growth of political parties and free press. Dictators believe in one political party, one national programme and one leader. The leader is to be regarded as the sole representative of people’s will. 5. Democracy believes in pacifism while Dictatorship believes in application of force: Democracy favors pacifism and opposes appli­cation of force in the settlement of political affairs within or outside the country. It urges the settlement of all disputes by patient discussion and agreement. Dictatorship, on the other hand, believes in the argument of force and all disputes are solved by resort to arms. 1. In a dictatorship, the power usually resides on a single individual — the dictator. The democratic state has its powers divided among its citizens. 2. In a dictatorship, the people don’t have a voice unlike in a democratic society. 3. In a dictatorship, the dictator sacrifices the freedom of his people for his own personal desires (selfishness) and “ efficiency. “4. In a democracy, it envisions a freer society as the citizens have a choice on what they want to do. 5. A dictatorship is efficient in the sense that passing, approving, and implementing laws is faster than in a democratic society.