Question

How is democracy more effective than authoritarian governments in dealing with conflicting nationalist aspirations?

Answer 1

• A democratic government is more effective than an authoritarian government as it respects the opinion of people and provides opportunities and rights to every cultural group to flourish.

• All cultural groups including those in minorities have the opportunity to be represented at the highest levels of decision making in a democratic setup. Thus, it provides a structure for all groups to express their aspirations.

• An authoritarian government will create an oppressive and authoritative society in which minority groups cannot survive. The dominance of the majority gives rise to nationalist aspirations among other groups in such situations.

• A democratic government respects the rights and cultural identity of minorities and therefore can solve conflicting nationalist aspirations by taking decisions through consensus that benefit all groups which stay inside the democratic setup.