what are some merits demerits(disadvantages) of a democratic government?

Question

It would better if the answer is listed in points...

Answer 1

Advantages:
1. The representatives respond to the will of the majority of people.
2. The representatives have to perform properly, or they will get voted out of office.

Disadvantages:
1. The representatives respond to the majority of the people: This leads to no protection for minority rights. If white people in a certain area do not want minorities to drive cars, the local law making body could pass an ordinance that prohibits minorities from driving cars in their area. As Jefferson stated, the people are too ignorant to understand the complex issues of government; they are too occupied with their daily life activities (or words to that effect).

2. The lawmaking process would take too long, because the people would have to vote on every little issue. One of the advantages to a "Democratic Republic" is lawmaking, on the whole, can take place at a fairly quick pace; notwithstanding legislation concerning controversial issues such as ending the Iraqi occupation or immigration reform. If the president had to await the approval of the American public on every issue, he would not be able to properly dispatch his duties.

Answer 2

Good:
-Governments must support the will of the majority or they will get kicked out.
-Democracy usually comes with a set of rights which cannot be removed.
-The government cannot force as much crap on the people as in dictatorships.

Bad:
-Takes a long time to do anything.
-Less protection for minorities.
-Corporations and other powerful bodies, particularly media and the church, can influence opinions and contorlt he governmenet like that.
-Democracy generally has to evolve; ti cannot be forced in by a revolution or by anohter country (something the US does not get); trying to force it in usually jsut causes another dictatorship.
-The government must do what the people want, which is not always what is best for them.

The last bad poitn is a bit tricky. A good government needs to try and strike a balance between doing what the people want whilst doing what is right for them. Unfortunately this is so open to debate and corruption that such a balance amy never happen.