5 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN DEMOCRACY AND DICTATORSHIP - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2024

The differences between democracy and dictatorship lie mainly in the management and obtaining of power. Both are political systems that determine the mode of participation of society and the role of the State in common life.

In democracy, power is in political representatives elected by the population based on a voting system. On the contrary, in the dictatorship a dictator governs, who can come to the government by a coup d'état, by falsifying the vote count, among other ways.

These government structures suppose two opposing systems that can dilute, as in the first case, or concentrate, as in the second model, decisions and political control.

Democracy is government "of the people by the people and for the people." It is considered one of the most ideal and pure forms of government. Democracy allows, as its name implies, a State that is in the hands of all and that is concerned with plural welfare.

On the other hand, dictatorships are regimes in which power is usually taken by military force and is concentrated in a single person. In general, a dictatorship is considered a government imposed by force, which does not respect the laws, which centralizes all power and does not allow opposition.

Main differences between democracy and dictatorship

1- Authorities elected freely vs authority by force

While in democracies the authorities are chosen by voting, dictatorships involve usurpation. In the dictatorship, an individual or group seizes power in a violent and illegal way.

But this aspect not only covers the beginning of the Government and the taking by force of a position, but it is projected in time. Maintaining power without holding elections, as appropriate in each country, also violates the right to participation and alternation.

Furthermore, it is not enough that there are elections. Democracies assume a free and plural vote. The people must choose according to their preference, without being forced and having multiple options.

2- Respect for the laws and the Constitution

Democracies assume that power is governed by laws, which limit it and give it specific functions. When they begin to violate deliberately, or on purpose, and without any control, you are in a dictatorship.

Democratic leaders are committed to ensuring that all people can exercise their rights. On the contrary, dictators seek to eliminate human rights in practice and do not respect or enforce the protection of the people.

3- Dissidence

In authoritarian and dictatorial regimes, opponents, or dissidents, are not allowed. Leaders opposed to the government are persecuted, imprisoned and prohibited from participating in public life.

Democracies, for their part, coexist with political adversaries. The different groups make government pacts, confront each other in free elections and are capable of alternating in power according to the will of the people.

This includes political participation by those who think differently and respect for civil rights, traits that are not common in dictatorships.

4- temporary vs perpetual governments

In democracy, time limits are necessary in order to plan strategies and concrete goals. Therefore, all governments must be constantly renewed.

Thus, the population can choose who they think is best suited for a certain position. This is what takes place in democracies.

However, dictators seek to retain all power for as long as possible. To do this, they suspend or postpone elections, cheat or change the laws.

5- Separation of powers vs centralization

In democracies, power is divided into different commands and systems. Executive power is exercised by national and local authorities.

Legislative power rests with congresses and parliaments that have the functions of making laws and modifying them. The judicial power rests with the high and low courts and their judges.

But in dictatorships these functions are concentrated in a single group or person and neither the tasks nor the control are divided.

This leaves the authorities without regulation and can exceed their decisions and budgets, being able to oppress the population and govern thinking of their own benefits and not the common good.

References

1. Economist Intelligence Unit (2012). Democracy Index (2012 Democracy Index). The Economist Magazine. Recovered from portoncv.gov.cv
2. Konrad Adenauer Stiftung. (2014). Index of democratic development of Latin America. IDD-LAt. Recovered from idd-lat.org
3. Peña, L. (2009). Dictatorship, democracy, republic: A conceptual analysis. Autonomous Mexico State University. Recovered from digital.csic.es
4. Sánchez, L. (2016). Democracy and dictatorship: comparative table. Recovered from formacionaudiovisual.blogspot.com.es
5. Sharp, G. (2003). From Dictatorship to Democracy A Conceptual System for Liberation. Albert Einstein Institution. Recovered from digital.csic.es.