FREE ESSAY ON DEMOCRACY VS DICTATORSHIP

DEMOCRACY VS DICTATORSHIP

Imagine the next time you step into the voting booth your ballot only lists one candidate
to choose from. Or perhaps your ballot lists four candidates, but they are all from the
Liberal party. Dictatorships are one party political systems that are ruled by one leader
or an elite group of people under the principle of authoritarianism. Some feel that
dictatorships are the most effective form of government because decisions are made
quickly and extreme nationalism benefits the military and economy. These individuals
value order, nationalism, and authority. However, these systems often result in violence,
repression of the public, and few provisions for changes to the system. Democracies are
multiparty political systems that rest on the principle of rule by the people. Most
people that live in democracies have civil liberties1, and political rights2. Individuals
who feel that multiparty systems are the best government value equality, accountability,
and freedom. Nations that have multiparty political systems will meet the needs of the
public better through the means of political equality, a higher standard of living3, and
civil liberties. 
Dictatorships often occur when a nation is economically and politically unstable. An
example of this is Napoleon's coup d' etat in 1799 France. In a system of authoritarian
rule decisions are made efficiently because very few people are involved in the decision
making process. The leader or elite group at the head of the government decides on new
policies and economic measures, then makes sure that the public abides by them by using
tactics of force and indoctrination. Dictatorial systems have helped nations recover from
economic turmoil many times in the past. The extreme nationalism that is born from
propaganda and government sponsored youth organizations encourages people to work harder
for the benefit of their country. Newly motivated work forces easily meet their
production goals. If the leader of a dictatorship is capable the country can rise to hold
a great amount of international power. Building up the military is an important step to
gain power. A strong military will discourage other countries from attacking and also
discourage the citizens of the country from rebelling. The force of nationalism, and new
laws that can be easily passed regarding education (such that every male of a certain age
must serve time in the military) allow military strength of dictatorships to multiply. 
The Soviet Union experienced a dictatorial system from 1917 to 1985. Under the rule of
Vladimir Lenin, and later Joseph Stalin, one political party attempted to control all
aspects of political, economic, and social life. The people of the USSR endured rapid
industrial development, victory in World War II, and improved literacy rates. They also
experienced elements of force, indoctrination, controlled participation, limits on
dissent, and a lack of the accountability of government. In 1917 Lenin initiated the
Bolshevik seizure of power and became the first soviet government. Lenin established
communist4 society in Russia before passing away shortly after (1924). Stalin, the
general secretary for the communist party gradually gained power and by 1928 was in
control of the government. Under Joseph Stalin's leadership the USSR was transformed into
a world power, and a totalitarian state. Lenin had introduced the New Economic Policy in
1921, which proposed the creation of a mixed economy. In this system the state controlled
large industries but small scale enterprises and farming were run privately. By 1936 the
NEP had helped The Soviet economy to recover to the levels it was at before WWI. Stalin
introduced his famous 5 year plans, to develop industry further, and the NEP was
abandoned for a communist economy. The first 5 year plan (1928-1932) expanded heavy
industry such as steel making and mining. Private farming was eliminated, with much
bloodshed, and collective farms were established. The second 5 year plan (1933-1937)
began the development of natural resources in Siberia and the far east. It also further
expanded heavy industry at the expense of consumer goods. Stalin's third 5 year plan
(1938-1941) directed funds to areas of defense. In WWII Nazi Germany invaded the USSR,
creating an instant alliance between the USSR and two of the world's greatest powers;
Britain and the USA. The Soviet Union pushed the Germans out of its territory and Eastern
Europe, thus accelerating the end of the war. Trade increased between USSR and the two
other powers, and the Soviet has been recognized and commended for helping to end WWII.
Another benefit of central planning was the massive educational effort that raised
literacy rates in the USSR. The communist government wanted to develop a skilled and
educated labor force. Millions of people learned to read and write, in an education
system that centered on scientific training. 
In order to enforce communist policies the Soviet Union built a large militia5. The
secret police (consisting of agents and informants) were used as an instrument of terror
to ensure that the communist party stayed in power. The secret police kept foreigners and
those who traveled abroad under close surveillance. They also censored the mail, and
monitored telephone conversations. Indoctrination and censorship encouraged nationalism
and spread the communist ideology. The government sponsored youth groups such as the
"little octoberists", and the communist ideology was taught in school. With only one
newspaper and one radio station (both government owned) people had very little control
over their own beliefs because they were constantly exposed to only one side of every
issue. This excerpt is from the Soviet's only newspaper, "Pravda6" . "Stalin is the
architect of the tremendous creation called the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. he
is the source of all life in the he soviet union. His thoughts set the whole mechanism of
Soviet life in motion." 
Glorification of a leader is common technique used in dictatorships to ensure that
citizens are faithful and committed to the government in power. In the early 1920's and
30's people of the USSR were expected to vote publicly by raising their hands. This
caused a very low voter turnout so a secret ballot system was instilled. All candidates
(if their was more than one) were selected by the communist party, so the voting was
quite meaningless since it lacked the element of real choice. Officials manipulated
counts to make voter turnout appear higher than it actually was, and if one were to
disagree with the choices listed on the ballot they were to mark the ballot publicly and
be subject to the wrath of the secret police. The lack of accountability in the USSR was
so shocking that anyone who observed it and still lives will be emotionally scarred
forever. The "great purge" from 1936 - 1939, began with few show trials that symbolized
fair justice but never provided enough real evidence to base a conviction on. These
trials were for members of the government who had supposedly plotted against Joseph
Stalin. Following these trials, the secret police purged all institutions (education,
media, government) of possible threats to the communist party, and sent millions of
people to forced labour camps. When this horror came to an end in 1939 it was too late
for the millions of people who died, completely innocent of any crime. 
It is true that Stalin's reign enabled many people to learn to read and write, but at
what cost? If they were not killed in a labour camp, the point of having employability
skills seems faint when every adult after 1938 was required to have a "labour book."
Without a labour book one could not be employed, and once a person way employed their
labor book was kept with the employer. This way employees could not easily change jobs.
Developing employability skills if you are not able to pressure the employment that truly
interests you is a wasted effort. 
In the USSR political rights and political equality were merely a facade. Although the
show of voting made it appear that people had the right to elect the leader of their
choice, the public was not given the option of free choice. Also in the USSR speaking out
against the government and dissenting was strogly forbidden and could result in exile or
execution. Civil liberties were virtually non existent. People did not have the freedom
to develop their own views and ideas because they were constantly being indoctrinated
with the ideas of the government. If one were to exercise the freedom of assembly or
demonstration in a dictatorial system they would be killed or imprisoned (Tienneman
square in China). It is difficult to find exact numbers that help us determine the
standerd of living in the USSR during Stalin's regime. However, from the stories of the
forced concentration camps and black market for food and other consumer goods anyone can
deduct that the standard of living was low. Russia's standard of living today emphasizes
the effect that a previous authoritarian government can have on a nation. In Russia the
adult literacy rate is quite impressive, 98%. The GDP per capita is very low $3050 (in US
dollars). The average life expectancy is also low at 66.9 years, and approximately 2.6%
of the population owns computers. 
In democratic systems the public decides what economic and social policies work best for
them. Democracy originated in ancient Athens. Besides the fact that only men could vote
ancient Athens exhibited a model direct democracy. On every issue each voter was able to
freely vote. The Athenians choose from two main political parties, and no one person had
any more power than another person. Decision making and decision enforcing were the
duties of every citizen. Democracy is a logical concept. Since the public has to abide by
the policies made by the government, they should be able to help make those decisions. 
The United States of America has been a democracy since it became a country. The system
of government ensures that no branch of government (executive, legislative, or judicial)
has more power than another branch. Each American voter votes to elect a president from
the political party that has a platform most similar to his or her views. They also elect
the senators and members of the house of representatives (who make up the legislative
branch). The supreme court judges are not elected, but appointed for life by the
president and senate in order to keep their interests pure. Most laws that are made in
democratic systems reflect the views of the public. In the Us, any member of the House
can introduce a piece of legislation. This illustrates how all members are equal and are
given the right to represent the people from their state. The bill is printed and
prepared so that all members of the government can understand the details of it. The bill
will then be refereed to the appropriate committee by the House or Senate
parliamentarian. The committee ensures that the bill meets with the guidelines of the
constitution, and makes revisions and amendments to it. Now the committee of a whole7
debates and amends the bill but cannot technically pass it. Debate is limited in the
committee by certain rules and opposing side have a scheduled amount of time to speak.
The bill is also debated in the senate, without any time limit on how long The debate can
run. If the House of Representatives and the senate pass the same bill it is then sent to
the president. If the House and the senate pass different bills they are sent to the
conference committee. The president signs the bill, making it become law. The president
does have the power to veto legislation, but it is rarely used. This is because the
chamber that provided the legislation has a right to overthrow the veto if 2/3 of the
members present feel that they should do so. Also the congress has the power to impeach8
the president if the public feels he is not performing his job adequately. In America,
every person over the age of 18 (who has not been convicted of a felony or declared
mentally incompetent by a court) has the right to vote through the practice of secret
ballot. People also have the right to speak out against the government and dissent
freely. Civil liberties are guaranteed to the people in the constitution, and no
legislation will be passed that violates any citizens civil liberties. If people feel
their civil liberties have been violated they can take the case to various courts, who
will make a fair ruling based on the constitution. Today the USA has a high standard of
living compared to other countries. It is a major world power with a democratic system
and a market economy. In 1997 the adult literacy rate was 95%, the GDP9 per capita was
$29, 181 US dollars, the average life expectancy was 76 years, and approximately 37% of
people owned computers. 
The individuals who believe that dictatorial systems are more efficient and beneficial
than democracies have never experienced life in such a system, or have never been a
victim of the elite. Dictatorships do not meet the needs of the public adequately, result
in a lower standard of living than democracies, and often result in violence. For a new
policy to be implemented in a democracy thousands of people do not have to die. This is
because for the most part in democracies the policies that exist are the will of the
people. Democratic systems have been very successful in the US, Canada, Sweden, and other
countries. The freedom of choice is ultimately important, and since the public makes the
industry in nations, they will choose what is best for the nation.