Autocratic and Democratic Leadership Essay

There ar many an(prenominal) pros and cons of both unequivocal and class slight establishment, non to mention, many obvious differences. Surprisingly, at that place ar excessively some similarities between these 2 unique governing styles. Autocracy as define by the Merriam Webster online dictionary is, A political sympathies in which hotshot someone possesses unlimited power. Opposingly, res publica as defined by Danzinger, professor and general anatomyer hold of the department of regimeal science at the University of California is A governance by daltogethers whose authority is based on a limited mandate from a universal electorate that selects among genuine alternatives and has some rights to governmental participation and competition (173).Most leading characteristics raise be categorized into these ii groups further separating them into two distinct leadership styles. An peremptory leader tends to lead with an weight-lift fist similar to the style of a totalitarian government, whereas a democratic leader tends to take a slightly softer f omit governing with agree and compliance from the heap. passim this paper I will pass on an analysis of prefatory characteristics of both despotic and democratic government and leaders, as wellspring as a brief over fool of the domineering and nix grammatical constructions of both governing systems. separately governing style is made to invent within its proclaim environment, governing its mass and doing what is best for its agricultural.Autocracy requires a lack of insularism of powers, so the compulsory dominion force out non beopposed by any opposite flop source. For example, a checks and balances system would deter an ascendent government beca go for the leader would non r from from each one one absolute power. Autocracies derriere take the form of a totalitarian/dictoral government, where a res publica is nether the rule of one someone. umteen times, peremptory rulers work to die their countries and because it in turn provides great advantages for the rulers themselves. An autocratic government is one that maximizes the ut to the highest degree income the rule clique extracts from the remainder of the macrocosm this extraction, in turn, is the difference between the tax r til nowues the government collects and the amounts it spends on public ser wrong-doings, armament activities, and interest. (Niskanan, 182).Basic all in all(prenominal)y, come out of the increase in output that results from the net income extracted from the population, the leader flummoxs more resources for his or her own purposes than for the general public. Also, since the public population is a source of tax-income for the leader, the leader then has inducement to protect his or her mickle from warf be, terrorist attacks, etc. Hence, the monopolization of income tax can real deem a affirmative(p) bushel on the general public. The public is to a fault benefitted because they obtain the income they have made that has not been taken in taxes.A normally used phrase people use when talking about autocratic governments is, An absolute ruler fails absolutely, merely is this necessarily the topic in an autocratic government? untrammelled power of a ruler whitethorn only if be considered dangerous if it yieldings into the wrong hands. The term autocracy has operate synonymous with the title of dictator, however, not all dictatorships be necessarily a controvert form of government. For example, Hugo Chavez, leader of Venezuela has created the Bolivarian Revolution, A last replica of Franklin Roosevelts New Deal-a reformist income tax, public full treatment, social security, cheap electricity- gos him wildly usual with the brusque. And most Venezuelans ar poor (Palast 42). On the some other hand, many people grapple that Chavez is in fact a bad leader. A common view of the American government portrays Chavez as a threat t o global oil prices and regional economy. Just wish well thither is a unsloped and bad side to autocratic leaders, there argon many pros and cons when well examining an autocratic government.Many whitethorn argue that an autocratic style of government is calumniate and unjust. However, there atomic number 18 many positive aspects of autocracy. Decisions ar made alertly without grueling contemplation from other political powers. For example, if a dictator wanted to pass a law making it ilsound to have blue jeans in his or her field he could pass the law without con displace from anyone else. If a president wanted to make the same law, it would have to be overseen and contemp tardilyd by numerous other parties before passing. not only is an autocratic government quick to make endings, it also defines a spend a penny bottom line. Topics of controversy atomic number 18 not left up to the interpretation of the public, and differing opinions are not expressed because the pu blic population of an autocratic government is generally demoralized from expressing mortal opinions.Unfortunately there are also many prejudicious aspects of autocracy. Mainly, ithas the probable to ignore the needs of the majority. Ultimately, all decisions are left up to the leader, creating a potentially skewed yield as further as the needs of the public go. The views and norms of a whole state can be held solely in the hands of one someone and needless to say may have quite a banish effect. Irrational decisions can also be made, with virtually no hope of universe stopped. If an autocratic leader happens to be having a bad day and makes an irrational and stinging decision, it may have a negative impact on all of the country. oneness may wonder why the citizens of an autocratic government would tolerate such a harsh and extreme leader, why not just overthrow him?The same logical system of collective action that ensured that there are no social contracts in the histori c record whereby large groups agreed to obtain the advantages of government also implies that the masses shall not overthrow an autocrat simply because they would be better off to do so. historical evidence from at least the offset pharos through Saddam ibn Talal Hussein indicates that resolute autocrats can survive even when they impose heinous amounts of suffering upon their peoples. When they are replaced, it is for other reasons (Mancur 23).The opposite of autocracy could be thought of as state. Democracy is a widely accepted form of government that works for the people by allowing them to drive their own seeation. Not only are the people represented by a leader of their choice, but are also able to give opinions as to the on goings of their country. Democracy is a sign of the cosmea of a strong civil association that is based on various go-between groups, from womens associations and labor unions to cooperatives and trade councils. such groups serve as probably the most effective tools for communicating social demands to decision makers. (Gangi 41).Democracy is said to have originated in gallant Europe as a cause of three main pointsFirst, late medieval Europe had numerous political characteristics that distinguished it from other major orbit civilizations. These characteristics the most important of which were voice assemblies constitute as a basis for at large(p) democracy which provided Europe with a sensibility toward democratic political institutions. Second, the military mutation of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries led to the strengthing of monarchal power in countries relying on internal resources to finance modern armies.In these countries, medieval intactism was done away with and expansive autocracies were create demolishing the predisposition. Third, in countries that avoided the military revolution, military modernization did not destroy constitutional government, and a liberal political outcome became more likely (Dow ning 3).Much like autocracy requires a lack of juridical separation of powers, democracy needs a separation of powers. A democratic government is change integrity into three branches. The executive branch consists of the presidential party which in turn consists of the president, the vice president, and all the cabinet members. This branch assists in carrying out the law. The president is allowed to pass or veto a bill sent by the legislature. The legislative branch or Bicameral Congress consists of the Senate (100 seats, one-third are renewed every two old age 2 members are elected from each state by popular right to vote to serve six-year terms) and the sign of the zodiac of Representatives (435 seats members are directly elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms) (https//www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/ imprint/us.html).The legislative branch writes laws on a bill so they can be sent to the senator, and then to the exemplifications, and then to the president. T he judicial branch is in charge of the salute systems consisting of the Supreme Court (nine justices nominated by the president and confirmed with the advice and consent of the Senate ordained to serve for life) unify earths Courts of Appeal United States District Courts State and County Courts (https//www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/print/us.html). The judicial branch applies the law by earreach and making decisions on various legal cases. Just like any other government, democracy can vary from country to country.A democratic government may come in many contrastive forms such as participatory democracy, representative democracy, electoral democracy, liberal democracy, etc, hence there are near endless positive and negative aspects. Singapore practices an electoral democracy where All citizens periodically vote in order to select political leaders from among alternative contenders (Danziger 173), meaning that the government picks the candidates that the citizens can vot e for. In 2006 the Freedom Housedescribed America as a liberal democracy which is a government where Citizens enjoy not only electoral democracy but also these drawn-out political rights and civil liberties regarding participation, personal freedoms, and opposition (173). However, I feel that America is better categorized as a representative democracy where Citizens elect people to represent them in the political process and to portion values on their behalf (172). Because of all the different conditions in the many types of democracies one may wonder what exactly defines democracy.One of the hear characteristics of American democracy is universal right to vote. ecumenic suffrage consists of the right to vote disregardless of race, religion, gender, social status, scotch status, etc. right to vote has been a continually developing aspect of democracy for centuries. According to Wikipedia, African American suffrage began in 1866, and womens suffrage began in 1920. A second d emocratic characteristic is tallyity of all people. inwardly the US Constitution it is implied that under a democratic government each person is entitled to equal protection under the law, freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, etc, along with various other economic, social, cultural, civil, political, and group-oriented rights. Democracy bases itself on providing fair and equal opportunities for all people regardless of their race, sex, religion, economic/social status, etc. The idea of American democracy fully supporting comparison brought many immigrants here, with promises of equal opportunity. Along with all the rights and privileges citizens of a democratic government have, there are also some negative aspects.The big democracies get, the more difficult select and vote tallying becomes. For example, during the Gore vs. Bush presidential elections the vote counts in Florida were misinterpreted, and many people thought the outcome of the election was skewed due to vo te fraud. Also, democracy is hailed as one of the most fair governments, but catering to the needs of only the majority actually excludes the minority. No matter how minor the minority may be, they are windlessness be exploited by the majority. Lastly, the larger a democratic system becomes, the less dovish and efficient it becomes. Mancur Olsen gives a good example of this negative aspect ofdemocracy in his essay Autocracy, Democracy, and History.If there are say five similar people, each of them will get about a fifth of the gains from the creation of a still democratic order. The advantages of such an order are so large that one fifth of the gains could eaisly crown the total sacrifice. Moreover, when there are only a few people in a group it will be clear that the wel off the beaten track(predicate)e of each person depends on whether each other individual acts in a group-oriented or anti-social way. thus each person by making clear that the cooperation by others will guid e forth cooperation from him but that non-cooperation will not, can increase the likelihood that others will counterbalance his behavior. This not only increases the probability of peaceful democratic interaction but even makes it easy possible that cooperation will reach an sublime or group optimal fulfilment (Olsen 3).Hence, democracies work better for relatively pure groups. Mancur argues that a democracy is better than raw anarchy, but democracy is still far from perfect. (2)In conclusion, both autocratic and democratic governments have many strong and weak points. near negative aspects of autocracy such as income tax monopoly can have a positive affect on a whole countrys population, man some positive aspects of democracy such as majority ruling can have negative affects such as excluding the minority.The pros and cons of a government are what in conclusion define that governments basic structure. If a government has a disorganize electoral system, power could potentia lly fall into the wrong leaders hands. If a government has a very strict electoral policy, the people may be deformed due to the fact that they do not have full freedom to aim their leader. Each governmental style works for the betterment of their citizens whether it is by strict rule, or lax rule. All in all, governments workss towards the betterment of their citizens, are truly working towards the betterment of the human population as a whole.Works CitedAutocracy. Merriam-Websters Online Dictionary. 2004. .Danziger, James. thought the Political adult male A proportionalIntroduction to Political Science. New York Pearson information Inc, 2007.Downing, Brian. The Military Revolution and Political pitch Origins of Democracy andAutocracy in Early modern-day Europe. New Jersey Princeton University Press, 1992.Gangi, Akbar. The Struggle Against Sultanism. daybook of Democracy 2005 16.4. ProjectMuse Scholarly Journals Online. Wayne State University Library. Wayne State Universi ty Library, Detroit, MI. 16 Apr 2007.Olsen, Mancur. Autocracy, Democracy, and History. Online working paper 22, 1991.2 April 2007.Niskanan, William. Autocratic, Democratic and Optimal Government pecuniary Choices and Economic Outcomes. Cheltenham Edward Elgar Publications, 2004.Palast, Greg. Hugo Chavez. The Progressive. July 2006. 10 April 2007.United States. cia.gov. 2007. The World Fact Book. 4 April 2007..