Highlight five (5) features that make democracythe most popular system of government

Answer Details

Democracy is the most popular system of government because of the following features:

1. Popular participation: It allows the people to take part in government through periodic free and fair elections and to choose those who govern them, giving them a sense of ownership.
2. Rule of law: Everybody, governors and governed alike, is subject to the same law, which protects citizens against arbitrary and oppressive rule.
3. Protection of fundamental human rights: Democracy guarantees the freedoms of speech, association, religion and the press, allowing citizens to live in dignity.
4. Accountability of government: Those in power are answerable to the people and can be voted out, which discourages abuse of office and promotes responsible governance.
5. Existence of an organised opposition: A recognised opposition checks the excesses of the ruling party and offers the people an alternative choice.
6. Equality of all citizens: It rests on the principle of one person, one vote, and treats all citizens as equal before the law regardless of status.
7. Peaceful change of government: It provides an orderly and constitutional means of changing leaders, thereby reducing violence and instability.