Why democracy matters

Democracy is not the only way countries are governed. But most countries see it as better than the others. Let's compare.

The chapter gives a table with five features and four forms of government. The first row is filled in; try the rest yourself from what you've read:

In a genuine democracy, people can live their daily lives their own way: choose what to say, what to wear, what to believe, how to express themselves, as long as they don't harm others' rights. (Compare that with Shane's haircut!)

In a democracy, the people choose their government. The government must protect people's rights and provide basic needs.

If it does its job badly, people can change their representatives at the next election. That's a constant check on the government, and it means a government can be changed peacefully, without anyone getting hurt. No other form in this chapter has that.

So no wonder more than half the countries in the world have chosen democracy. Is any form of government perfect? No, each has its flaws. But democracy is the better choice.

The chapter doesn't end with applause, though. Even democracies have problems:

• corruption
• big gaps between rich and poor
• too much control by a few over democratic institutions
• weakening of the judiciary's independence
• manipulation of news and information

So what can we, as individuals and as a society, do to stay alert and reduce these problems? The question is left to you, which is itself a democratic way to end!