A government is a group or system of individuals governing a society, usually a country. All governments around the world are created by elected representatives of the people (electors) and approved by the people (revolutionary assemblies). A form of government that many people may not be familiar with is called constitutional government. In a constitutional government, the power to make laws is vested in a central government.
With modern systems of government, representatives elect each other based on party lists rather than election results. Each legislature is created separately with the formulation of laws requiring popular approval first before these laws are enacted into law. It is often difficult to see how democracy can be considered ‘socialist’ because it appears to deny the rights of private ownership and freedom of association. Nevertheless, there are many people who believe that the concept of a democracy is outdated or obsolete.
However, most scholars would argue that even if democracy has become unappealing because of its inability to provide economic sustainability, it does not mean that it has failed altogether. A representative democracy offers a number of benefits to citizens that are often provided by autocratic and aristocratic systems. First, the process of electing leaders offers a level playing field for any person. Anyone who wishes to run for a position can do so and regardless of economic background. This provides an excellent opportunity for anyone to become a better leader.
An elected representative democracy also makes the economic system more transparent. By having elected representatives make laws and set the rules of the economic system, anyone can follow along and understand how the system functions. By following the rules and laws, individuals can better understand the goods and services offered. Anyone who wishes to participate in the economic system can do so while benefiting from the overall efficiency of the economic system. Also, transparency is a powerful incentive for businesses to offer goods and services that customers want and need.
Although many say that a true democracy is preferable to a free-market system, a representative form of government provides an important part of ensuring that a society works. A representative democracy also allows for the creation of economic policies and conditions that benefit the masses in particular. For example, a socialist country may have high taxes and provide limited social services. Under such conditions, it would be difficult for average citizens to live off the government for an adequate living standard.
A representative form of government must ultimately work toward providing its citizenry with a sufficient living standard. Otherwise, it will eventually fall apart. As Alexander Hamilton said, “A nation that swarms itself with too many of its inferior classes is a nation in danger of degenerating into an hereditary aristocracy, or into an extreme democracy.” Clearly, it is both desirable and necessary to have a mixed form of government.