Democratic Government vs. Non-Democratic Government

Main Difference

The main difference between the democratic government and the non-democratic government is that the democratic government is the rule of people, whereas the non-democratic government is the rule of government.

Difference Between Democratic Government and Non-Democratic Government

Comparison Chart

Democratic Government vs. Non-Democratic Government

A democratic government is a government in which citizens hold power or exercised on their behalf by the elected officers. A non-democratic government is a government that is run by officials who are not elected by citizens and are not accountable to citizens. A non-democracy is any system of government other than a democracy. Democratic Government also is known as democracy, is a political system of governance. It is either carried out by the people directly or by elected representatives. Everything is decided by the citizens, who have an equal say in decisions that impact people in general. In a non-democratic government, the power is vested in the rulers. The non-democratic government includes systems such as monarchy, oligarchy, and theocracy.

Democracy promotes equality in society. All people in a democratic government have equal rights regardless of their status and positions. In a non-democratic government, all the people are not treated equally. A group of elected representatives governs the democratic government, and they are bound to fulfill the wishes of society. The non-democratic government gives the right for everything to the government, e.g., decision making, selection of the leaders, etc. representatives or leaders are elected by the people in democratic government. People have no power to select or change leaders in a non-democratic government. In simple words, the democratic government gives power to people and gives them the right to choose. A non-democratic government confines the power and right of everything to the government.

What is the Democratic Government?

The democratic system is a political system of governance that gives power to citizens or power is exercised on behalf of people by the officers elected by them. It is either carried out by the people directly or by elected representatives. Everything is decided by the citizens, who have an equal say in decisions that impact people in general. Democracy promotes equality in any society. A group of elected representatives governs it, and they are bound to fulfill the wishes of society.

In a democracy, free enterprising is allowed, and the people or groups can have their businesses. It leads to the rich and poor in society. Democratic government is a system of government that gives all the citizens equal rights. Personal choice is valued in democracy, but there are limitations in the laws that are implemented by the majority rule government to set guidelines and maintain order. The system of democracy is based on the principle of equality and freedom. These liberties and freedoms are protected by the constitution.

The democratic government originated in ancient Greece (in Athens). The first democracy in history was established in 508-7 BC. Athenians randomly selected representatives to fill judicial offices and government administrations. The legislative assembly was made up of the Athenian citizens with the right to speak and vote. But it excluded women, foreigners, slaves, and anyone under the age of 20. There are three essential points of a democratic government. They are popular sovereignty, political equality, and political freedom.

Forms of Democratic Government

• Representative
• Presidential
• Constitutional
• Parliamentary
• Direct democracy

What is a Non-Democratic Government?

Non-democratic government is a government opposite to a democratic government. The systems like totalitarianism and authoritarianism are different from democracy. These systems are the forms of non-democratic government where an individual or a single-party concentrates all power. A non-democratic government vests power in rulers, rather than its citizens.

In a non-democratic government, people cannot select or change leaders. People do not have fundamental human rights; for example, they are not allowed to protest, criticize, or form opposing parties. In a non-democratic government, all the people are not treated equally. A non-democratic government has many forms i.e., monarchy, oligarchy, aristocracy, anarchy, feudalism, theocracy.

Forms of Non-Democratic Government

• Monarchy: A state where absolute power is lodged in a monarch (sovereign head of state, a king, queen, or emperor)
• Oligarchy: A state where absolute power is with a specific and small group of people
• Aristocracy: A state where absolute power lies with a privileged group
• Theocracy: A form of a power structure where power lies with religious authorities and the people have no say in the formation of the government.
• Autocracy: A system of government that concentrates supreme political power in the hands of one person
• Dictatorship: An autocratic form of government in which an individual dictator rules the government

Conclusion

Democratic government and non-democratic governments are the two different political ideologies or systems of governance within a country.