Winston Churchill Said That Democracy Was Not Perfect but That It Was the Best Political System Available. Was He Right?
Winston Churchill said that democracy was not perfect but that it was the best political system available. Was he right?
Democracy first appeared in Ancient Greek civilisations, before being wiped out entirely and not returning to western civilisations only until approximately a hundred years ago. One definition given for democracy is a political system that allows the constituents and citizens of a country the right to fairly vote and contribute to the decision of which individuals are ruling and are the governing power. Not only that but also provides citizens protection from the state1. Another definition is given by Abraham Lincoln, in which democracy is viewed as being a "government of the people, for the people, by the people”2. Democracy is often seen as a Western invention, but has now spread across to countries all across the globe, and is seen as the most advanced and fair political ruling system to date. I will be assessing whether or not democracy is the best possible political system, where its faults lie and where it can improve.
Democracy, by far, is viewed as being a much more equal, reliable and honest form of government organisation, to comparison with a monarchy or a dictatorship, where the individuals of a state have very little or no say at all to the ruling and management of their country. This means that it is very unlikely for small groups of individuals to abuse power
1 Heywood, Political Ideologies, 4th edition, Palgrave Macmillan, London, 2007, p.40 2 Heywood, Politics, 3rd edition, Palgrave Macmillan, London, 2007, p.72
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over their country, or cause damage to its economy or society for a long period of time3. Democracy also allows for every individual over a certain age, if they choose to, the chance to have 'a say ' in the government that is in power. This is normally carried out via numerical voting systems where each individual is given the count of one vote. Democracies also allow competing parties to
Democracy first appeared in Ancient Greek civilisations, before being wiped out entirely and not returning to western civilisations only until approximately a hundred years ago. One definition given for democracy is a political system that allows the constituents and citizens of a country the right to fairly vote and contribute to the decision of which individuals are ruling and are the governing power. Not only that but also provides citizens protection from the state1. Another definition is given by Abraham Lincoln, in which democracy is viewed as being a "government of the people, for the people, by the people”2. Democracy is often seen as a Western invention, but has now spread across to countries all across the globe, and is seen as the most advanced and fair political ruling system to date. I will be assessing whether or not democracy is the best possible political system, where its faults lie and where it can improve.
Democracy, by far, is viewed as being a much more equal, reliable and honest form of government organisation, to comparison with a monarchy or a dictatorship, where the individuals of a state have very little or no say at all to the ruling and management of their country. This means that it is very unlikely for small groups of individuals to abuse power
1 Heywood, Political Ideologies, 4th edition, Palgrave Macmillan, London, 2007, p.40 2 Heywood, Politics, 3rd edition, Palgrave Macmillan, London, 2007, p.72
15/12/2010-12:04:20
over their country, or cause damage to its economy or society for a long period of time3. Democracy also allows for every individual over a certain age, if they choose to, the chance to have 'a say ' in the government that is in power. This is normally carried out via numerical voting systems where each individual is given the count of one vote. Democracies also allow competing parties to
Bibliography: Daahl, R. A. (2000). On Democrcy. New Heaven: Yale University . Heywood, A. (2007). Political Ideologies. London: Palgrave Macmillan. Heywood, A. (2007). Politics. London: Palgrave Macmillian. Zorach, A. (2010, September 12). . Retrieved 12 11, 2010, from Cazor: cazor 8 Heywood, Politics, 3rd edition, Palgrave Macmillan, London, 2007, p.7 15/12/2010-12:04:20 15/12/2010-12:04:20