Democracy and oligarchy essay
Democracy and oligarchy are two different political systems, which though often intertwine since a democracy can easily slip to oligarchy and vice versa oligarch can be replaced by democracy. In actuality, democracy is the most advanced political system which stands on the principle of equality of all citizens and their equal representation in the political life of a nation, while oligarchy implies the total control of a few over the national economy and wealth. Nevertheless, each political system, democracy and oligarchy, have its unique features that make it distinct from others.
Historically democracy and oligarchy emerged as two distinct political system. At this point, it is possible to refer to the experience of ancient Greece, where democracy and oligarchy co-existed. Originally, democracy implied the direct political power of people, although people, who had the right to participate in the political life in ancient Greece were relatively few, namely those who had citizenship (Ostwald, 154). In such a way, democracy was the political system where all citizens participate in the political life. In contrast, oligarchy was the power of a few. As a rule, those few were representatives of the economic elite, who held control over the economic and political life of the state (Armesto, 205).
In the course of time, the concept of oligarchy has hardly changed. Today, oligarchy still means the power of a few, who hold control over the national politics, economy and wealth. As for democracy, this political system has become quite different compared to ancient Greek democracy. Today, democracy is representative that means that all citizens have equal rights and liberties and they all participate in the political life through their representatives, whom they elect (Baradat, 196). Virtually all adult citizens have the right to take part in the political life and be represented in the political power of the nation.
The wide representation of all people is the key difference of democracy from oligarchy.
