Can Democracy Create Stability?

Hi, this is my blog entry for Term 2 on the topic "Can Democracy Create Stability?" The article that I referred to is entitled "Why Democracy is Good for Development" by Anita Inder Singh and it can be found in the blog entry directly below this one. Alternatively, you can visit this website
http://www.un.org/Pubs/chronicle/2006/issue3/0306p29.htm
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Recently, in my class, we examined a hypothetical case study in which an authoritarian regime had come to an end. The aim of the assignment was to design a democratic government for the country. My classmates started asking, “Why democracy?” I thought that that was a really apt question. The viewpoint that democracy equates to stability – a state of political, economic and social progress in which a country is far from conflict – is rooted deeply in our thinking in this day and age. I have come to agree with this viewpoint because democracy is based on consensual agreement and brings power to the people.

Each human being has the intellectual capability to think for himself. Of course people’s thinking can be influenced by others but nevertheless, each of us can form our own ideas and viewpoints. This unique feature of man has been the bane of humanity since the beginning of time because it has led to conflicts in perspectives time and again. Democracy is the only political system that is able to curb this predicament as it is founded on the principle of consensus. Everyone has a say in what the government decides and the best possible outcome is achieved through the process of discussion, debating and eventually, compromise and consensus. Undeniably, this situation seems a tad too idealistic as governmental policies will never get the support of the entire nation. However, even if consensus cannot be reached, the next best thing to do would be to adopt the viewpoint of the majority without ignoring the minority group. An authoritarian regime would suppress the cries of the opposition but a democratic government must open its ears to even the tiniest of voices. Indeed, democracy creates stability because its fundamental principle is consensus.

Every decision that a person makes is influenced by his perception of the situation at hand. Thus, those who believe in democracy must have a common perception. I believe that this perception is that humans are able to make the right decision. This assumption is often criticised but to me, it is what makes democracy so attractive. Who wants to live a life that is fully governed? The ability to make our own choices is a gift that should be used for the benefit of mankind. With all of us being inherently flawed, I would think that placing a national issue in the hands of the people would be a much more astute decision than placing it on the shoulders of just one or a few people. Democracy is the key to allowing the people to have some degree of power so that when it’s time to make a decision, many heads can be put together and the decision made will be in the best interests of everyone. Once again, stability is achieved.

Being established on the important principle of consensus and the ability to grant power to the people, democracy creates stability in a society. We must always remember that every voice matters, even the smallest.