Democracy vs. Autocracy

Beliefs Central to Democracy:

• Decisions should reflect the will of the majority
• Government is limited in its power and must respect people’s rights
• Citizens should have a voice in decision-making
• All citizens should have a sense of responsibility to other people and the community
• Citizens should have a sense of what is socially just (good/fair for society)

Elements of Democracy:

1. Rule of Law (Magna Carta) – both the government and the governed are subject to the law
2. Political Equality – everyone is equal; one person/one vote
3. Common Good – decisions are made for the benefit of everyone
4. Personal Freedoms / Human Dignity – fundamental freedoms (speech, religion, etc.) = civil rights
5. Political Freedoms – protect the right of citizens to participate in the political process
6. Being informed and getting involved – democracy works best when the citizens are active and

responsible

1. Respect – we must accept that not everyone has the same political views

Elements of Autocracy (Authoritarianism)

Features of an autocratic government (totalitarian, fascist, communist):

1. Total control of society – an attempt to dominate citizens’ public and private lives
2. Instils fear through mechanisms of terror – military force; police brutality; secret service
3. Controls media – censorship; government propaganda
4. Official political ideology – mandatory for all; dissent unacceptable/punished
5. One political party – opposition parties may be deemed illegal or are ineffective
6. Clearly defined internal (citizens) and external enemies
7. Rule of Law does not exist
8. History may be re-written to conform to government ideology; traditional ideas/ways are replaced
9. A new, ideal type of person is promoted (e.g. tall, blonde Aryan in WWII Germany; the hard worker in a Communist country)

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