Democracy or Dictatorship?

[christina>you]

Is democracy more or less efficient as a form of government than dictatorship?

What are your thoughts?

[Ancient Dragon]

from purely efficient point of view, dictatorship is obviously more efficient because only one person (ok maybe a small group of people) make all the decisions, eliminating all the problems and delays associated with allowing the citizens to cast ballots. And that is one of the reasons why we in USA do not have a democracy ("mob rule")

[Sturm]

I think an oligarchy is the best balance of efficiency and intelligence. If America had an oligarchy campaign ads would be unnecessary, and all people of merit could be elected. (not just white male millionaires)

[christina>you]

Yeah... but which one do you think is better, democracy or dictatorship?

[EnderX]

Better at what? Better for whom?

If you're purely concerned with effeciency, a dictatorship is better. No mess about 'elections' or 'voting on the issues' or anything like that, just 'Because I, Dictator N, said DO IT!'.

If you're concerned about value of life, that depends on a couple of factors. The value of life for the dictator's friends and lackeys would be a lot better than that of the average peon under his/her sway; I'd say the value of life that a democratic society can provide to its inhabitants falls somewhere inbetween the two.

[Sturm]

>Yeah... but which one do you think is better, democracy or dictatorship?

A dictatorship all the way. I much rather have a bad government than a weak, fickle, or non-existent one. So a dictatorship is a win-win situation.

[jasimp]

With a dictatorship they can control almost every part of your life. I would rather have a democracy so that I have more control.

[EnderX]

>Yeah... but which one do you think is better, democracy or dictatorship?

A dictatorship all the way. I much rather have a bad government than a weak, fickle, or non-existent one. So a dictatorship is a win-win situation.

A dictatorship is only win-win if you're the dictator, or one of those he favors. Otherwise, you'll have serious problems, with no recourse except for revolution (which'll have problems of its own).

[Sturm]

You could have a good dictator.

[EnderX]

Power corrupts. Humankind is inherently corrupt by nature, giving someone the kind of power a dictator would wield would mean that they would eventually turn it to their own self-service, at the expense of those under them.

[Sturm]

Power might corrupt the lesser, but not the great.

[jasimp]

not many people are great though

[Sturm]

Thats the problem.

[christina>you]

So most say that dictatorship is more efficient than democracy...

[Ancient Dragon]

So most say that dictatorship is more efficient than democracy...

Efficiency doesn't equate to better. Hitler was probably an efficient dictator but I very few, if anyone, will claim he was better. Sadaam Husane had a very efficient dictatorship, but hardly one that anyone could willingly choose to live under. The dictatorships I hear about in Africa are certainly not better than other forms of government.

[debasisdas]

I want to breath some fresh air without having anyone to control my nostrils.

So for me Democracy is the only option.

[Dave Sinkula]

So most say that dictatorship is more efficient than democracy...

Your questions seem like a homework assignment. For that I would refer you to Wikipedia, generally.

If you care to be digging deeper, present a more focused question.

(I claim a pass because I have presented a history of doing such already.)

[iamthwee]

Power corrupts. Humankind is inherently corrupt by nature, giving someone the kind of power a dictator would wield would mean that they would eventually turn it to their own self-service, at the expense of those under them.

I disagree, look at vladamir putin. He practically has absolute power and yet he is such a nice guy...lol

[christina>you]

Your questions seem like a homework assignment. For that I would refer you to Wikipedia, generally.

If you care to be digging deeper, present a more focused question.

You are very close, it wasn't a homework assignment, but the question was asked by my teacher in my Civics class... she asked what we thought about it and then she told us what she thought. She said that democracy isn't the best form of government, but it is better than most. And some said that dictatorships were more efficient. I tended to agree that democracy was the best form, with a federal government. Like Lincoln said in the Gettysburg Address: "government of the people, by the people, and for the people."

[iamthwee]

What is Civics class?