Democracy vs. Dictatorship — What's the Difference?

A system where the majority rules.

A government controlled by one person with total power.

A system of government by the whole population.

A country ruled by a dictator.

A government with free and open elections.

An autocratic form of government.

A form of government where power lies with the people.

A system where power is obtained or maintained by force.

A society characterized by equality of rights and privileges.

A dictatorship is a form of government characterized by a single leader or group of leaders and little or no toleration for political pluralism or independent media. According to other definitions, democracies are a form of government in which "those who govern are selected through periodically contested elections (in years)"; therefore, dictatorships are "not democracies,.".With the advent of the 19th and 20th centuries, dictatorships and constitutional democracies emerged as the world's two major forms of government, gradually eliminating monarchies with significant political power, the most widespread form of government in the pre-industrial era.

Democracy (Greek: δημοκρατία, dēmokratiā, from dēmos 'people' and kratos 'rule') refers to a form of government in which the people either have the authority to choose their governing legislators, or the authority to decide on legislation. Who is considered part of the people and how authority is shared among or delegated by the people has changed over time and at different speeds in different countries, but more and more of the inhabitants of countries have generally been included.

The office or tenure of a dictator.

Government by the people, exercised either directly or through elected representatives.

A state or government under dictatorial rule.

A political or social unit that has such a government.

Absolute or despotic control or power.

The common people, considered as the primary source of political power.

A type of government where absolute sovereignty is allotted to an individual or a small clique.

Majority rule.

A government which exercises autocratic rule.

The principles of social equality and respect for the individual within a community.

Any household, institution, or other organization that is run under such sovereignty or autocracy.

(uncountable) Rule by the people, especially as a form of government; either directly or through elected representatives (representative democracy).

The office, or the term of office, of a dictator; hence, absolute power.

A government under the direct or representative rule of the people of its jurisdiction.

A form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator (not restricted by a constitution or laws or opposition etc.)

(countable) A state with a democratic system of government.

A regime where political opposition is suppressed.

(uncountable) Belief in political freedom and equality; the "spirit of democracy".

Government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is retained and directly exercised by the people.

Government by popular representation; a form of government in which the supreme power is retained by the people, but is indirectly exercised through a system of representation and delegated authority periodically renewed; a constitutional representative government; a republic.

Collectively, the people, regarded as the source of government.

The principles and policy of the Democratic party, so called.

The political orientation of those who favor government by the people or by their elected representatives

A political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them

The doctrine that the numerical majority of an organized group can make decisions binding on the whole group

Yes, democracies often have systems of checks and balances to prevent any one branch from gaining too much power.

In a democracy, voting is typically a fundamental right, although the specifics can vary by country.

Some dictatorships have constitutions, but they may not be adhered to or could be altered to fit the dictator’s needs.

Historically, there have been instances where democracies have transitioned into dictatorships, often through erosion of democratic norms.

Protests in dictatorships are often severely restricted and can lead to repression by the state.

Yes, democracies can have strong leaders, but their power is limited by the constitution and laws.

No, not all dictatorships are military; some are controlled by civilians or a single political party.

A dictatorship can appear stable due to the suppression of dissent, but this does not always equate to genuine social stability.

Democracies generally uphold individual privacy rights, though the extent can vary based on laws and technology.

Dissatisfaction in a dictatorship is often expressed through clandestine or exiled opposition groups, as internal dissent is risky.

Some dictatorships hold elections, but these are often not free or fair, designed to legitimize the existing regime.

International organizations can exert pressure on dictatorships through sanctions or diplomacy, but with varying success.

Yes, multiple political parties are a common feature of democracies, offering different policies and viewpoints.

In dictatorships, education is often state-controlled, with a curriculum that supports the regime's ideology.

Media freedom is a hallmark of democracy, allowing for diverse and critical perspectives, although media bias can still be an issue.