Outline five reasons people prefer democratic government to military regimes.

Answer Details

Democracy is government by the people, based on popular consent and the rule of law, while a military regime is government by the armed forces, usually installed through a coup and ruling by decree. Five reasons why people prefer democratic government to military regimes are:

1. Popular participation and consent: In a democracy the people choose their leaders through periodic free elections and take part in decision-making, whereas a military regime imposes itself without the consent of the governed.
2. Protection of fundamental human rights and freedoms: Democracy guarantees and protects the rights and freedoms of citizens (of speech, association, movement and so on), while military regimes often suspend these rights and rule by force.
3. Rule of law and constitutionalism: A democratic government operates under the constitution and the rule of law, so that everyone, including the rulers, is subject to the law; military regimes rule by arbitrary decrees and suspend the constitution.
4. Accountability and change of government through peaceful means: Under democracy the government is accountable to the people and can be voted out peacefully at elections, whereas a military regime is not accountable and can usually only be removed by force.
5. Freedom of the press and freedom of expression: Democracy allows a free press and open criticism of government, which check abuse of power, while military regimes usually gag the press and suppress opposition.
6. Separation of powers and independence of the judiciary: Democracy provides checks and balances and an independent judiciary that curb dictatorship, unlike the concentration of power in a military regime.

(Any five of the above are acceptable.)