Is Democracy Overrated? A Case Study Analysis and Critical Thinking

This case study delves into the question of whether democracy is overrated, employing critical thinking skills to analyze arguments and assertions. The assignment begins by outlining the purpose of applying critical thinking to the case study, emphasizing the importance of evaluating diverse viewpoints and evidence. The main body then examines claims made within the case study, such as the assertion that the Cold War's end resulted from a misassumption about democracy, freedom, and human rights, and the idea that democracy threatens human rights. The author uses critical thinking to dissect these claims, providing counterarguments and highlighting the nuances of democracy and communism. Finally, the assignment evaluates the ideas presented, discussing the varying perspectives on democracy across different societies and the potential for political systems to misuse power. The conclusion emphasizes the value of critical thinking in assessing assumptions and forming well-reasoned arguments, ultimately suggesting that both democracy and communism have their strengths and weaknesses and that their effective application is crucial for protecting citizen interests. This analysis is a great example of the kind of resources available on Desklib.

Critical Thinking Skills
(Is democracy overrated?)

Contents
Project 1: (Case Study) A Point of View: Is democracy overrated?...............................................1
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................1
Describing the purpose of applying critical thinking to the given case study.............................1
Demonstrating an understanding of critical thinking skills by examining claims, assertions and
statements made in the given case study.....................................................................................2
Using critical thinking skills, evaluating the ideas expressed in the case study and developing
valid arguments using understanding of the topic.......................................................................3
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................4
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................6

Project 1: (Case Study) A Point of View: Is democracy overrated?
INTRODUCTION
Critical thinking is the skill which allows an individual learner to question what is read, hear
or seen by them (Cottrell, 2017). This is considered as an ability which helps in evaluating
opinions of different authors and views in their writings. The skill of critical thinking is mostly
used by researcher and observers while investigating arguments of different researchers. The
main aim of this project is to evaluate the given case study of “is democracy over rated”.
In this project, a case study is analysed and criticised in order to weighing up the evidence
so that an understanding can be developed against the opinions in the case study and relevant
conclusions can be developed to ascertain which point of view is more pertinent from
investigator’s perception. This project is developed by providing correct responses to three
questions which includes aim of applying critical thinking, understanding assertions of case
study and developing arguments against the understanding of the case study.
MAIN BODY
Describing the purpose of applying critical thinking to the given case study.
Critical thinking is a process of giving rationale views on a particular subject so that
accordingly judgments are given which are supported with evidence (Kong, 2014). The given
case study is a point of view on “Is democracy over rated?” which shows that there is a
contradiction in the views for the democracy. Some think that it is a blessing for country and
other has the perspective that because of this concept more exploitation of public is done which
is hidden. This case study involves arguments about the need of democracy and how political
parties are misusing this setting by threatening human rights. The subject involves both merits
and demerits of democracy and totalitarianism.
It is very important that critical thinking is applied to the concern topic as it has huge
scope and has major effects on the society. Considering only one aspect that is positive or
negative will not help in evaluating that weather democracy is overrated or not. In the given case
study, it is found that democracy has mix outcomes and if all of them are not compared than
there are chances of misinterpretation of the concept of democracy. Case studies are important
form of learning and developing the detail knowledge about the subject matter and as the topic of
case study has different opinion it is crucial that every statement is critically analysed as this way
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the concept is cleared in more detail with justifications of the facts listed. Also when a critical
finding on subject matter is given it adds value to the final results and user can support the
statements given by him/her in review. Topics like democracy has influence over people in huge
number and therefore while discussing same it has to be given care that no such statement is used
which does not have a supporting fact to show that why such views are given.
Demonstrating an understanding of critical thinking skills by examining claims, assertions and
statements made in the given case study.
The case study of “Is democracy over rated?” involves various arguments and counter
arguments against democracy and communism. These claims and assertions are made on the
experiences and historical events. A strong claim has been made in this case study which states
that the Cold War and final collapse of the Soviet Empire was the result of the assumption that
democracy, freedom and human rights are spoken in one breath and in all circumstances, the
coincide. This statement is a blunt and non evident assertion which has a lack of research. Even
if it is accepted that these three aspects does not coincide then also it is not right to say that this
misassumption was the reason behind collapse of World’s largest communism state “the Soviet
Empire”. Cold War was caused due to the attempts of fulfilling agendas to extend the empires
which ultimately caused this war. The clash between Soviet and America was the clash between
capitalist and communism and none of them has policies which can ensure democracy, freedom
and human rights. These three elements can only be find in a democratic nation where every
individual has a human right to choose their leader with complete freedom to live in a democratic
state. So, it is direct and non investigated to state that the misassumption of coinciding these
three aspect is the result of collapse of Soviet Empire.
It is also asserted in this case study that democracy is a threat to human rights by
evidencing an example of Egypt in which parties stands for election and whosoever wins crush
the dissent and impose a way of life for their citizens. In this statement as well, a lack of
evidence is observed as democracy is not the threat to human rights here but the cruel intentions
of political parties are. It is important to understand that democracy cannot be overlapped by its
political parties. The constitution of a nation provides opportunity to its citizens to vote of
political representatives who they think is beneficial for them. But, what if, all the political
parties intend to impose a way of living which restricts the human rights of their citizens. In
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cases like Brotherhood of Egypt, democracy is not in fault but the policies and orthodoxy of
political parties is in fault which provide a way to live to citizens.
Another claim which is made in this case study is that when it comes to Orthodoxy,
conformity and the hounding, democracies are nowhere different than Islamic theocracies or
one-party totalitarian states. From a learner point of view, both the sides of coin must be well
considered before giving a claim which has numerous perspectives. Countries which follows
communism follows a belief of a political party which entire nation has to adhere, dis regarding
whether they agree with that belief or not. This Orthodoxy and conformity od communist nations
is not as same as the democracies. It is true that democracies are run by political parties but those
parties also have oppositions which ensures that nothing should go against the interest of their
citizens. Also the political parties of communists run their nation on Orthodoxy beliefs but
political party of democracies run their nation on law and regulations which are even amended in
interest of their citizens. It is accepted that there are ample flaws in democracy and communism
can heal those flaws but when it comes to orthodoxy and freedom of living life, democracies are
better. As in democracy, people can choose a way to live their life on their own belief and not on
belief of a political party.
Using critical thinking skills, evaluating the ideas expressed in the case study and developing
valid arguments using understanding of the topic.
The given case study has discussed democracy and it is found that different society, area and
people has their own view points on the idea of same. Before democracy was practiced society
was suffering from various practices that were intolerable for them. People were forced to do
things against their will leading to difficulty in their survival. No one had the right to express
their views on any wrong doings and hence the worth of people was negligible. Leaders were not
chosen and the one with control used to enjoy the perks of society (Wolchik and Curry, 2018).
Earlier more conflicts used to take place between the countries as everyone wanted to acquire
more area as it further adds to their supremacy. This resulted into loss of many resources and
life. It is claimed in the case study that even after the democracy the issue is not solved and the
problem remain in context of same. Political parties influence the judgements of the legal
authorities by using their power and hence follow dictatorship under the name of democracy.
But, this is not a true basis of judging the concept of democracy. Whatever wrong practice are
followed are the flaws in the political system as they do the miss use of their power and effect
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the democratic country. if people at designations understands their duty and follow the legal laws
than a change in no time can be observed in the whole system. Thereafter under this concept
everyone is given equal rights which add value to the citizen. When right to choose the leader is
given to people they feel belongingness in the country and show their interest. This is very
important for the overall development of the economy. Through the electing power people have
the right to choose that who will be at power and if found to be ineffective than the same is not
elected next time. There are chances where democracy is not properly practiced and it can be a
reason why some society has negative thoughts or perception to the subject.
It is given in the case study that democracy restricts the small trade like exchanging valuable
against any service given. Though it is true that in case of any non-recorded or insignificant
transaction it is difficult to get justice under the democratic country (Holden, 2013). But, if the
same issue is seen from the point of view of the legal authorities than it can be realised that it is
difficult to give the judgments where there is huge population and everyday people does
countless of such acts and it is very difficult to judge them and maintain equality in the decisions.
Also in case of people having properties on name of different individual is considered as a
limitation to democracy by supporting the fact that people are not free to own assets. It is true
that under democracy people cannot trade their property freely but it is for the benefits of the
society as whole. If no such restrictions are made, then the gap between the different class people
in the society will raise and rich will keep on becoming richer and poor will be more poor. It is
required that some steps are taken through which exploitation of low income group people is
controlled and for same such practices are followed. Therefore, it is very important that a
common criterion of judging such act is kept so that equality in front of law is maintained. It
shows that the problem is not with the concept of society but the way it is followed and misused
by the political parties and citizens of country. They abuse the rights and those who are innocent
has to suffer because of same. If everyone understands the true meaning of what democracy is
the overall development of nation can be assured and also the current standards of living can be
raised.
CONCLUSION
From the above report, it is concluded that critical skills help a learner to question
assumptions and views of others. These critical skills build an ability to understand after
analysing all the aspects of an opinion. From the above report it is also summarised that
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democracy and communism has its own flaws and benefits but both of them must be used in
order to protect the interest of citizens. Case study is an opportunity which allows learners to
develop their critical skills and from the above report this opportunity is gained. It is observed
after developing above report that every statement or assertion has two sides which can be
analysed to provide valid arguments and counter arguments.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Cottrell, S., 2017. Critical thinking skills: Effective analysis, argument and reflection. Macmillan
International Higher Education.
Holden, B. ed., 2013. Global democracy: Key debates. Routledge.
Kong, S. C., 2014. Developing information literacy and critical thinking skills through domain
knowledge learning in digital classrooms: An experience of practicing flipped classroom
strategy. Computers & Education. 78. pp.160-173.
Wolchik, S. L. and Curry, J. L. eds., 2018. Central and East European politics: From
communism to democracy. Rowman & Littlefield.
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