Arguments for and against democracy

In democracy people can change government through elections. Exam tip: treat possibility of correction as an advantage.

Democracy gives a chance to solve differences through discussion and agreement. Exam tip: remember peaceful solution.

Frequent change of leaders may reduce continuity in policies. Exam tip: treat instability as an argument against democracy.

In a democracy, citizens have the right to freedom of expression. They may therefore express their views and lawfully criticise government policies, decisions, and actions. This keeps the government accountable to the people. Option A is wrong because lawful criticism is not a crime, and option C contradicts the rule of law. Exam tip: connect criticism of government in a democracy with freedom of expression and accountability.

Participation helps government understand people's problems. Exam tip: keep participation and responsibility together.

Some argue that electoral politics may have corruption. Exam tip: identify this as a criticism of democracy.

Decisions can improve when many views are considered. Exam tip: treat consultation and debate as benefits.

In democracy government can be changed through elections. Exam tip: treat peaceful change as a major benefit.

This is a common argument against democracy. Exam tip: understand it as a criticism related to voter capacity.

In democracy an ordinary citizen's opinion is also important. Exam tip: remember citizen voice as an advantage.

Elections make government accountable to people. Exam tip: keep elections and accountability together.

Debate in a democracy brings forward different opinions, arguments, and objections. It helps identify mistakes and shortcomings in policies and decisions so that they can be improved; therefore, option A is correct. Reduced public participation is not a benefit of debate; it weakens the democratic process. Exam tip: associate democratic debate with better decisions, accountability, and correction of errors.

Some believe political competition can increase tension. Exam tip: identify it as a criticism.

A wrong government can be changed in elections. Exam tip: treat ability to correct as a benefit of democracy.

Democracy rests on the principle of political equality. Every eligible citizen has the right to vote, and each vote has equal value. A citizen’s political opinion is not valued more or less because of wealth, caste, religion, gender, or social position. Option B gives special importance to leaders’ views, which goes against equal political respect. Exam tip: remember equal political respect through “one person, one vote, one value.”

Elections need money and arrangements so it is treated as a criticism. Exam tip: connect expense with argument against democracy.

Democracy gives citizens chance to question and demand correction. Exam tip: understand questioning as a benefit.

Elections give a peaceful way of transfer of power. Exam tip: connect power change with elections.

In democracy government is responsible to people. Exam tip: write accountability as a main benefit of democracy.

In a democracy, decisions are usually taken after discussion, debate and consultation. Therefore, the process may be slower, and delay is considered a criticism of democracy. Political equality and citizens’ dignity are arguments in favour of democracy. Exam tip: associate slow or delayed decision-making with a criticism of democracy.