Disadvantage of Democracy

Weak Point of Democracy

Political scientist named Samuel P. Huntington published a book in the 1970s. The book titled Political Order in Changing Societies. The book criticized the government's authority and capacity problems developing countries in penetrating policy. The book implies a, political participation is high ( as a " child " of democracy ) being offset by the institutionalization of political and economic development that enough, will result in political instability.

A study conducted in 1975 found the conditions " crisis " of democracy. Research conducted by Michel J. Crozier ( France ), Samuel P. Huntington ( United States ), and Joji Watanuki ( Japan ) is directed at the political conditions in the countries in implementing democracy established as a cornerstone of government buildings.

The study was conducted in the United States, Japan, and Western European countries. The results of these studies is, countries that are categorized as "champions " of democracy is in trouble. The problem that arises is " born " as a result of various effects multidimensional nature : social, economic, cultural, and political. The problems are born as a result of " success " or the success of democracy.2

Example of this success is economic development that is spectacular ; widespread social and economic improvements, including a lack of class conflict and the growing middle class. Political parties of diverse ideological pure compete in any regular election to form a government. The loser then build a level of opposition in the parliament.

Citizens, both individually and collectively, participate actively in politics more than ever before. Citizens ' rights when dealing with the government increasingly clear assurances and protected. In addition, international cooperation agencies to grow in Europe with the aim of both economic and political. This example between North America with Europe in terms of the military, and between Europe alone, the United States, and Japan with economic goals.

However, this would lead to the success of the democratic challenge to implement democracy in the country. For example, a growing middle class has raised the hopes and aspirations that are often not met when the reaction led to its achievement. Broadening political participation increases the demands on the government. Also, the expansion of the enjoyment of goods and services among young people and the " intellectual " professional class has increased the portion of social adaptation political values ​​and a new lifestyle. Effects due to the emergence of democracy, the three researchers introduced the concept of " anomic democracy. "

Heightened degree of dissatisfaction and distrust of self- government citizens, is the effect of the success of democracy itself. This is for example obvious when many government policies are " scorned " among citizens ( especially the middle class ) and problematic policy implementation. One of the things that led to this is the lack of "common purpose" or a common goal. Parties, citizens, and citizens groups have their own vision and goals in political activity. This is due to the widespread and varied interests as a result of things that have already been mentioned in the section above. The absence of a common goal resulted in reduced legitimacy and support that should be given to the government.

Governance in democracies no longer problematic in terms of consensus ( agreement ) in the rules of democracy. The problem that arises then is, what should be achieved within a group in the game. Or, what should have been achieved by a party or a group of citizens in the administration period.

Democracy, the rule engine, still running. However, the ability of the people who run the machine in order to make decisions tends to decrease. Without a common goal, there is no basis for priority together. Without priority, there is no basis for distinguishing personal interests and claims with the State. Therefore, anomic democracy happens in the event of a conflict between a common goal ( State ) with personal interests / groups, which occurs between the executive, cabinet, parliament, and bureaucrats. Anomic democracy is a democracy into a mere political arena assertion of the conflicting interests, no longer as an arena in which the development process common goal done. Anomic democracy appears, once again, due to the success of democracy itself.

To summarize the process of cause and effect, between the success of democracy and birth problems, can be considered some of the following points :

    Primacy of democracy over the pursuit of equality and individualism led to the delegitimation of authority in general, is also a loss of confidence in the leadership ;

    The expansion of political participation and involvement of citizens, has created a " overload " on the government side as well as imbalances in the expansion of government activity, including exacerbating inflationary tendencies in the economy level ; Overload is due to : ( a) expansion of political participation of citizens; ( b ) The formation of the group and awareness new from old groups, including youth, regional groups, and ethnic minorities ; ( c ) Diversification of political tools and tactics used to meet the interests of each group, (d ) with the increasing expectations of the group that the government is responsible for their needs, and ( e ) the increase in the so-called " necessity. "

    Political competition, which finished the essence of democracy, continues to be intense, leading to polarization and fragmentation of the interests of political parties ;

    Responsiveness democratic government will issue the election and increase public pressure - nationalistic parochialism

Problem of democracy, of which again is a result of competition, the problem of " win -lose " becomes crucial. Each constituency elections have always wanted to win and control the government. However, there are actually a number of phenomena in which it becomes the controlling government policy is a constituent who lost an election through a coalition. This study is summarized in a book titled Loser 's Consent ( published 2005), which was prepared by Christopher J. Anderson, Andre Blais, Shaun Bowler, Todd Donovan, and Ola Listhaug.3 However, on this occasion I am not going to discuss it first.