Introduction
From the point of view of rulers the forms of government are: monarchy, aristocracy, dictatorship and democracy. If the head of state is designated on the basis of hereditary succession, the form will be monarchy.
If a person gets hold of political power as usurper generally through a military coup and assume political authority the government can be called dictatorship.
The assumption and exercise of political authority by few elite persons due to their distinctive position in the society is termed as aristocracy. In a democratic form of government, people have political participation either directly or through their elected representatives.
Origin
Democracy was introduced in Greek state, Athens. People were directly participate in politics due to its small population. All citizens could not participate in politics. Slave, woman and traders remained indifferent from politics. With the passage of time all citizens start to participate in politics irrespective cast, color and race.
Features
The people's representatives exercise political power, but they also accountable to the electorates. In every system, proper devices are adopted to make the government accountable to the people.
Democracy in fact stands for limited government, as all organs of government generally derive their authority from the constitution and move within the limitations imposed by the constitutional law.
Moreover, different organs of government do not exercise equal powers, as there are variations in this respect.
Representatives of people kept in mind the people interests when they make law. The fear of the people in forthcoming election keep them on the right track. People also follow the laws that reflect their wishes.
Most of the other kinds of government such as monarchy or aristocracy are formed on the basis of hereditary principle provide no criteria to judge the capability of the rulers.
In democracy, individuals are elected to different political offices by virtue of their political experience and competence. In this way, those people are elected on the basis of their capability to rule.
According to a political analysis, British Prime Ministers and American President have invariably those persons who had remained the member of their respective legislatures for a long time and thereby accumulated many political experiences before occupying the highest political office.
A political system structured on popular basis increases sense of patriotism in people. A feeling among the people signifying that they are the kingmakers and the government is accountable to them, act as an impetus for promoting responsibility and self-reliance. It also promotes patriotism.
It is said that the sense of patriotism that was developed in the French people after the revolution was rarely perceived prior to that. The main cause of this change in their national character was the recognition and enforcement of political right.
Economic justice can be enforced more effectively in a democratic system, popular government have to look after the interests of all classes. Modern governments are expected to perform welfare functions, while reliance on state's action has tremendously been increased.
Most of the other kinds of government such as monarchy or aristocracy are formed on the basis of hereditary principle provide no criteria to judge the capability of the rulers. In democracy, individuals are elected to different political offices by virtue of their political experience and competence. In this way, those people are elected on the basis of their capability to rule.
According to a political analysis, British Prime Ministers and American President have invariably those persons who had remained the member of their respective legislatures for a long time and thereby accumulated many political experiences before occupying the highest political office.
Conclusion
Lord Bryce observes that history provides clear evidence that no other government has performed these functions more appropriately than the democratic government. Athens and Rome, for example, contributed a lot to the advancement of human civilization when these were under democratic system.
Similarly, the period of 19th century under Liberalism was much better and prosperous than that of the 18th century under the oligarchic rule of the Whig Party in Britain.
It cannot however be denied that every form of government has certain shortcomings. A government is an integral part of a society.
The weaknesses in the national character of a people are fully reflected in the working of its government as well. Nevertheless, it is an undeniable fact that democratic system of government is still the best of all forms of government.
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