Why is Democracy Important?

Democracy is a system of rule based upon a government of the people, by the people and for the people. It started in Ancient Greece, where the word comes from ‘demos’- people and ‘Kratic’- power, it only had a short life there but was adopted once again in the eighteenth century and has carried on successfully to the present day.             Over the years it was around in Ancient Greece not everybody agreed it was a good thing for politics for example Plato who believed the masses are unwise and will not be able to make a decision and that politicians were more aware and could make better decisions on behalf of the people. However Aristotle thought that politicians work for themselves and would not include the people’s thoughts when making a decision.

            However since it has been brought back generally people think it is fairer and it establishes and protects freedom of the people as individuals and as a nation. Into the eighteenth century the public wanted a chance to participate and be represented in the political system. Democracy is important as it protects the interests and demands of minority groups, and all of these groups have access to the political system. In democracy minorities are free from discrimination and their views are as important as majority views.

            Democracy is also an important factor of controlling government power and prevents the people who hold power abusing it and using it for their own gain rather than for the people’s. This is done in a democratic state by having elections and holding those in power accountable for what they have done. Elections do not only help to hold a government accountable but also they let the people participate and have their say in the political process. The people in a democratic system will be able to influence government decisions by joining political parties, joining pressure groups, taking part in protests and many other ways.

            There are some countries in the world where democracy has not been embraced possibly due to corrupt governments or even religious beliefs stop everybody in society having liberty and freedom to express their thoughts. In USA and much of Europe and many economically developed countries democracy has established itself, however in some Islamic states the people’s lives are governed by the teachings of Muhammad and the Koran and the governments of the countries see it as their duty to oversee people’s principles of the Koran. There are some people who think that democracy can slow down decision making possibly when a quick decision needs to be made.

            Overall I feel that democracy is an extremely important part of political systems in the modern age and it gives people the ability to participate and to be free. Whether direct or representative democracy is used in a government it still gives people these opportunities and makes the system fair for everybody.