Merits of Democracy: 

1. Public Welfare: 

Democratic system is regarded to be, a symbol of public welfare, development and convenience. In democracy, by means of policies, programmes, and orders, efforts are made to provide maximum welfare to the maximum number of people. Democratic government is run by the representatives of the people. These representatives are elected for a fixed tenure. And so, these representatives pay special attention towards their constituencies.

2. Development of morality in citizens:

In democracy,. national character and morality develops in citizens. Various traits such as devotion towards the country, sacrifice, service, tolerance, etc. work as positive factors for the citizens to join hands with the nation. Morality prevents democracy from going corrupt. 

3. Cultural unity: 

Democracy tries to establish cultural unity among various castes, communities, classes, organizations. Democracy extends patronage to the interests of all citizens. It thinks for the welfare of all. 

4. Safety from revolution: 

In dictatorship, revolution is the only means to get ‘freed’ from autocratic and brutal administrators, but in democracy, after a definite interval, elections are conducted to elect the government again. The people can throw away the corrupt government through constitutional means. Therefore, people need not revolt in democracy. 

5. Public cooperation: 

Democracy is the only means to develop the spirit of public cooperation in the people. In democracy, there is an expectation of public cooperation for the resolution of national problems. 

6. To provide political training: 

Democracy provides political training to its citizens. In it, people are given political training through local institutions. By this, political interest develops in its citizens, and they participate in government works by all possible efforts and means. 

7. The most efficient administration: 

Garner says, “Because of system of popular election, popular control and popular responsibility, this system of administration is more efficient in comparison to any other systems.” 

Demerits of Democracy: 

1. Administration of incapable persons: 

Aristotle, while regarding democracy a distorted form of administration, termed it as an incompetent administration. The persons, leaders, politicians, who are included in democracy, are thought to be incapable because they do not have any political training. 

2. Corruption: 

In democracy, the administration is run by different parties. The ruling party appoints the persons of its choice at higher posts and this gives birth to corruption. 

3. Political propaganda: 

In democracy, the problems, which are put before the people, are in distorted form in order to confuse and misdirect the people. Improper allegations are made against each other. In this way, it is clear that there is a lot of false political propaganda in democracy. 

4. Spending of money afraid time: 

There is great expenditure of money and time. A great deal of time is wasted in the process of its management. A huge amount of money is spent in election process. 

5. Party system defective: 

In democracy, political parties remain in conflict with one another. They are not mutually cooperative, and remain in constant conflict. 

6. Rule of the minority people: 

In general, democracy is regarded as system of rule of minority over the majority. The representatives elected in the elections for administration are less in number (minority). Only professional politicians are included in administration. And obviously, they make efforts to remain in the system of administration. Sometimes, they change the party or sometimes they appear before the people with a changed election symbol. Deserving people do not get a chance to enter in political field.