are less corrupt or more sensitive to the people. There is one respect in which democratic government is certainly better than its alternatives: demo- cratic government is legitimate government. It may be slow, less efficient, not always very responsive or clean. But a democratic government is people’s own government.
That is why, there is an overwhelming support for the idea of democracy all over the world. As the accompanying evidence from South Asia shows, the support exists in countries with democratic regimes as well as countries without democratic regimes. People wish to be ruled by representatives elected by them. They also believe that democracy is suitable for their country.
Democracy’s ability to generate its own support is itself an outcome that cannot be ignored. Source: SDSA Team, State of Democracy in South Asia , Delhi: Oxford University Press, Democracy is preferred over dictatorship everywhere except Those who agree with one of the statements Very few doubt the suitability of democracy for their own country How suitable is democracy for your country? Very suitable Suitable Bangladesh Sri Lanka India Nepal Overwhelming support for democracy Those who agree with the rule of leaders elected by the people Strongly agree Agree Sri Lanka Bangladesh India Nepal Doesn’t matter to me Bangladesh India Nepal Pakistan Sri Lanka Democracy is preferable Sometimes dictatorship is better