Question

Write a response to the following arguments against democracy: 

(a) Army is the most disciplined and corruption-free organisation in the country. Therefore army should rule the country. 

(b) Rule of the majority means the rule of ignorant people. What we need is the rule of the wise, even if they are in small numbers

(c) If we want religious leaders to guide us in spiritual matters, why not invite them to guide us in politics as well. The country should be ruled by religious leaders.

Answer 1

(a) Army officers are not elected by people and hence an army rule would be undemocratic.

(b) Democracy is based on the idea of universal adult franchise. Restricting the rulers from a small section comprising of ‘wise’ people would defeat the purpose of representational democracy.

(c) Religious leaders are not elected by people and hence a country should not be ruled by religious leaders.