Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question

The citizen's complaint has some truth but is ultimately flawed.

It is correct that democratic governments can be slow, sometimes corrupt, and unresponsive. However, the textbook clearly states that "there is nothing to show that non-democracies are less corrupt or more sensitive to the people." Dictatorship is not a proven solution to these problems.

Most importantly, democratic government is legitimate government — it is the people's own government, chosen by them. This legitimacy generates widespread public support, which no dictatorship can match. Democracy also ensures transparency, accountability, and the right to correct mistakes — features absent in a dictatorship.

Therefore, while democracy's weaknesses are real, replacing it with dictatorship would sacrifice legitimacy and fundamental rights for uncertain gains.

Source: Democratic Politics II, Chapter 5 — Accountable, Responsive and Legitimate Government

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• Examiners want you to use the term "legitimacy" explicitly — that is the key concept the question demands.
• Acknowledge the complaint partly (yes, democracies can be slow/corrupt) but then counter it using the textbook argument.
• The crucial textbook line is: "democratic government is legitimate government… a democratic government is people's own government."
• Also note the textbook says non-democracies are not proven to be less corrupt — this directly refutes the citizen's logic.
• Do not write a long essay; 3 marks = ~3 clear points in tight paragraphs.