Advantages And Disadvantages Of Non Democracies

Democracies vs. non-democracies

Each of the many different countries in the world have their own way of governing and of relating to global problems. In the western world we generally consider democratic states to be virtuous, even superior.

Perceived or actual moral superiority does not, however, mean that only democracies can solve or contribute to solving international issues. This essay will explore some advantages and disadvantages of democratic and non-democratic states, respectively, regarding their abilities to solve or contribute to solving a global problem such as environmental issues in co-operation with other countries in an international arena.

Democracies

Democracy on a whole is the political system most encouraged by many international institutions such as the UN, the IMF and various NGO´s.

“For many people, democracy is not just about a series of elections, institutions and rules, it is a life based on mutual respect and the capacity to be a political agent” (Taylor, 2014 p. 290) In conventional understandings of democracy it is generalized that the best democracies are those of western countries. (Taylor, 2014 p. 305)

In most western countries democracy is seen as an effective and virtuous

For most inhabitants of the USA and Europe the concept of democracy is a fundamental part of how we perceive the world “…the label ´democratic´ has a silent tag ´good´ attached to it, and the label ´non-democratic´ is silently tagged with the word ´bad´.” (Taylor, 2014 p. 306) Most people who have grown up in the western world believe that democracies are more just and moral and therefore it is almost expected that democratic countries are most capable of creating agreements for the common good with other countries. However, one could argue that for instance a benevolent ruler may be more efficient and as able to co-operate on results beneficial for many or all as a democratic