Since the beginning of times, various types of governance have been applied by different regimes, even as the world advanced towards civilization. With the advancement of the people, authorities and governments followed suit. There have been discrepancies in the forms of government by different world regimes in the progression from medieval to modern times. The various forms of governments have developed due to the quest for better governance, and influence from other nations and leaders. In fact, the development of almost uniform forms of government was brought about by colonization but further in the modern days, globalization has augmented this kind of governance (Acemoglu, Egorov, & Sonin, 2012). This paper posits on the best form of government for citizens of the particular government which is democracy, basing on the different criterion and further elucidates the position by providing examples of successful historic, or current nations that have applied the form of government selected and enabled its citizens to prosper.
There are three main forms of government both in the current governance dispensation and the historic times. They include; autocracy which refers the ruling by one individual and could either be dictatorial or monarchical systems, oligarchy which implies that a small group of people conquers power by means of wealth, militarism, social status or corroboration of the all and exercise the same over the majority, and democracy which implies the rule by the citizens, usually coined as the government by many people (Acemoglu et al., 2012). Democracy is the best form of government since power is in the hands of the citizens as they either vote on issues or elect representatives to air their views on the different issues. Democracy is characterized by personal freedom, the rule by the majority, multiple political parties, and open and fair plebiscites to decide on issues. The center of democracy comprises reliance, dependence and thriving on wishes of the majority; enabling them to maintain the right to choose whom they deem fit to serve them and solve pertinent issues.
Perhaps, in order to appreciate democracy as the best system of government, there need to be perspicacious insights to what democracy is. Although democracy has not been described in one single agreed terminology, the generally agreed upon conclusion is that democracy is a government of the people, for themselves and to themselves; that the governance includes every individual in its processes (corporatename:Old Parliament House, n.d.). Democracy is based on a number of tenets as follows; acceptance in a person as an ethical and rational being, trust in reason and progression through growth and development, a belief in a consensual society regarding order and co-operation, and acceptance of shared authority and rule. The framework of democracy emphasizes on four elements; justice, legality, liberty, and power (“What is Democracy?,” n.d.). The elements imply an accepted government which rules justly by offering an ample living environment for its citizens and according them the requisite freedom to exploit personal autonomy, decision-making, and the ability to choose from options. The socioeconomic and political matters impacting citizens call for the limited intervention of the authorities.
Countries that have since incorporated democracy into their governances have been characterized by economic growth. Internationally, democracies have experienced over 25 percent per capita gross domestic product (Siegle, n.d.). This includes developing countries which are democratic such as Botswana and Ghana have witnessed a mean per capita growth percentage of over 50 percent as compared to countries that are non-democratic, especially after the culmination of the veto-power rivalry of developed nations. Considering the social wellbeing of citizens in democratic countries, developing democratic nations have performed exceptionally well. The life expectancy rates increased to over 9 years, a reduction by 20 percent in infant mortality, education improved as over 40 percent of populace attained secondary education, birth rates reduced by 30 percent, and agricultural cereal production rose by 25 percent.
This ostensible development track record of democratic countries is majorly attributed to the capability of democracies to mitigate or avert catastrophe. Statistics show that democracies are less probable to experience a drop in yearly economic output. Democracies are able to avert economic disasters and civil strife, as evident from the least number of refugees in the democratic countries unlike non-democratic countries, in fact, one has to go to over number 88 in refugee index to see a democratic country with internal refugees, for example, Sierra Leone (Siegle, n.d.). Democracy helps societies living in poverty reduce volatility, as well as enabling countries, accumulate possessions year in year out. Citizens in democratic countries are secure owing to protection and predictability. Citizens in democratic nations are able to venture into enterprise since they have unbridled access to information and can be able to deliberate on a decision to engage in any economic activity.
Governance in democratic countries is effective and this enables them to not only provide infrastructural development but also safeguard citizens’ properties and lives (“Democracy in the developing world,” 2013). The policies enacted in democratic countries are in tandem with market economics which is efficient. Democratic leaders are more likely to appoint apt and competent individuals in the government who will, in turn, enact his policies and provide them with the requisite efforts towards the development of a nation. Democratic leaders tend to ensure that basic services are accorded to their citizens and it is evident since the most democratic counties like the United States government has been able to provide its citizens with exquisite services for example in education, health, social security, and actions in events of accidents or disasters.
Democracy calls for a commitment to authority by everyone and openness, elements of which are ascribed to the robust all-round development of democracies. Before decisions are made, the public must be informed and they are engaged in discourses which result in better-informed decisions being made. Democratic elected leaders will be accountable to the public and their political party which makes it imperative that they become responsive to public’s requirements, fairly allocate funds and appoints people in public sector based on merit failure to which they will not be re-elected back to the office, and probably face the set laws. Citizens in democracies are likely to be informed of policies of the government, hence making them supportive of government projects affecting their lives (“Democracy and Prosperity,” 2012). Since democracies are adaptable, citizens are offered a chance self-correct the mistakes they make in electing leaders who enact inept policies. Moreover, everyone is under the law in democratic countries which makes it easier to strictly adhere to the rights of each and every individual.
In conclusion, major superpowers like the US and developing countries that have adopted democracy have been able to provide platforms upon which human rights are upheld, the general public’s well-being is safeguarded and the greater good for the majority is maintained. Democratic nations have been able to attain the best consideration for growth which is three-fold; provide, protect and invest in talent. Democracies have been able to provide goods and services to its citizenry, protect them at all costs, whether in young age, sickness, old age or in case of biting unemployment. They are able to meet environmental, economic, social and demographic challenges as well as investing in capabilities of its citizens. Democracies have enabled the general public access life-changing opportunities and accomplishment of individual visions, like the democratic “American Dream”. Education, health, and building of social stability in institutions as marriage and family have been improved by democracy.