Difference between Democracy and Dictatorship

Democracy and Dictatorship. We have heard these terms from many people and even studied about them in our history lectures. Now, what does democracy and dictatorship means? Well, we have often seen people saying that India is a democratic country. This means that the people of India decide certain things about the country. They are allowed to give their opinion regarding any political, religious, or social issue. Democracy means that the people of the country have a say in different matters of the nation.

When it comes to dictatorship, we are often given the example of Hitler. Dictatorship is defined as a kind of government wherein a single person handles all the affairs of the country. He/ She just give orders, and the people have to obey them. In this kind of government, public opinion doesn't matter. This is just the basic difference between democracy and dictatorship.

There are several other differences between these two terms. So, let us take a look at them.

So, these are the key differences between democracy and dictatorship. Democracy depends upon negotiation and deliberation. But dictatorship depends upon the sole authorship of a person. It doesn't need to bother with public opinion. The decision-making process of dictatorship is efficient. On the other hand, the decision-making process of democracy takes time as many people, and their opinions are involved in the process.

In a democracy, many documents and bills need to be passed in order to make an act. But in a dictatorship, the orders and rules are given and made by the head of the country. There are no changes in the system. That is why the dictatorship government is also called as the autocratic government, wherein brutality is practiced by the head of the country.

Democracy is based on seven principles. These seven principles are:

• Federalism
• Individual Rights
• Republicanism
• Sovereignty
• Separation of Power
• Cheques and Balances
• Limited Government

These are the principles on which several democracies depend. Apart from the principles, there are certain vivid characteristics of a democratic government. So, let us take a look at them.

1. The head of the state is elected through the consent of all the residents of the country.
2. Many civil liberties are given to the people who have a democratic government. Some civil liberties include the right to privacy, the right to freedom of religion, freedom of speech, the right to bear arms, etc.
3. Citizens have the right as well as the responsibility to choose the deserving head of state. They can also take part in various political parties and organizations.
4. Democratic Government helps in enhancing the dignity of a person.
5. There is an independent judiciary in a democratic government.

So, these are some of the characteristics of a democratic government. Today every country practices democracy because it is important to give people the right to express themselves. Now having said that, there are certain features of a dictatorship government as well. Let us take a look at them.

1. There is only one party in a dictatorship and one leader who is responsible for making law and order.
2. There is no individual liberty provided to the citizens of the country.
3. The country that exercises dictatorship believes in full force and wars.
4. The head of the state practices racialism, i.e., no faith in religion, and urges people to follow the same.

So, these are some of the characteristics of a dictatorship government. Democracy is widely used by countries, and dictatorship has been more or less ended. India, the US, and other nations are democratic governments that give certain rights to the citizens to take part in political, social, and religious matters. Thus, democratic governments are much better than dictatorship governments.