University Essay: Analysis of Dictatorship and Transition to Democracy

This essay provides an analysis of the transition from dictatorship to democracy, exploring the contrasting ideologies and their effects on citizens. It examines the role of human rights, the impact of totalitarian governments, and the significance of freedom of expression. The essay discusses the effectiveness of nonviolent resistance, drawing on examples such as Mahatma Gandhi's movement and the Iranian Revolution, while also acknowledging instances where it has been less successful. The analysis incorporates perspectives from various scholars, including Sharp, Worth, Gregg, and Öztürk, to provide a comprehensive understanding of the complexities involved in transitioning from oppressive regimes to democratic systems. The study also highlights the importance of strategic planning and coordinated efforts in achieving successful nonviolent movements, and it notes the positive trends in global political environments while acknowledging the continued existence of repressive governments in certain regions.

Running head: ENGLISH REFLECTION
ANALYSIS OF DICTATORSHIP TO DEMOCRACY
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Democracy and dictatorship represents complete different ideologies that have very
different effect on the citizens of the countries (Sharp, 2012). Studies point that totalitarian
systems of government does not promote human rights and negates its existence. The people in a
totalitarian governance are never free to express their opinion and slowly it helps to create a
society that does not protest no matter what the circumstances (Sharp, 2012). Political systems
are borne out of multidimensional needs that is responsible for changing the society. Sharp
(2012) suggest that political systems are sociocultural, economic manifestation and development
of alternate systems and institution will be instrumental in changing the power systems within a
society. Sharp supports that human rights is an important factor that is neglected in a totalitarian
government. In addition to this she also suggests that a government that is totalitarian in nature
will use military power to curb violent appraises. Therefore he suggests that peaceful resistance
is important is important in curbing dictatorship (Sharp, 2012). On the other hand, Worth (2017)
argue that non-violent resistance is ineffective in the current geopolitical issues such as in the
case of overthrowing Muammar al-Qaddafi in Libya, it was the armed rebels backed by NATO
that helped in overthrowing the dictator government while the peaceful resistance against Syria’s
Bashar al-Assad has resulted in the death of 2200 people who has opposed his rule (Worth,
2017).
Sharp (2012) states that nonviolence should not be mistaken with simply passive resistance. It
needs strategic planning to be effective in order to bring about change. For example, is of
Mahatma Gandhi who used nonviolence and non-cooperative means to attain liberation of India
against the British rule. He was known for his strategic nonviolent approach which helped to
cripple the economic hold of British in India (Gregg, 2018). Human rights stands of equality,
equal opportunity and growth, however this ideology cannot have the same impact if the people

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who face a totalitarian government are not aware of the circumstances. Studies show that in
totalitarian from of government there is larger emphasis on control of information and press,
once the information is stopped or altered the people will never ask for change (Gregg, 2018).
Studies indicate that societies which do not have freedom of expression, the struggle for alternate
form of government is even more (Gregg, 2018). Sharp (2012) states that when societies have
been under oppression for a long period of time people become used to not to question the
authority and hence become easier to control. While Öztürk (2018) believe that the only way to
combat the situation is through violence in form of guerilla warfare, others refute the claim and
state that when violence is used in such societies people often face brutal violence and the
repression in most cases is made more severe. For example, in the case of Taliban government,
not only use violence to curb the rebellions but also have some of the most severe and brutal
system of governance (Öztürk, 2018).
Öztürk (2018) is of the opinion that nonviolent resistance works better in some cultures than the
other cultures. However others refute this claim as nonviolent resistance have occurred all over
the world and it has seen success as well (Gregg, 2018). For example in the case of Iranian
Revolution which led to the end of the dictatorship of Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi was
success owing to one of the largest nonviolent mass movement that included two million
Iranians. Experts are also of the opinion that often the nonviolent method do not lead to success
(Worth, 2017). For example in the case of Tibet resisting against the communist overtaking by
China was a failure but Sharp believes that it helped to spread awareness of the situation and
allowed people with a valuable experience of the repressive regimes (Sharp, 2012).
According to the political rights and civil liberty data provided by Freedom House shows
an increase in more liberated and Free State which shows a positive growth in the political

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environment of the world (Sharp, 2012). However, there is still a large section of the population
that lives under the repressive government rule such as the repressive monarchy rule in Saudi
Arabia, Bhutan. Sharp (2012) states that for nonviolent movements to be successful they need to
be carefully planned and strategically aimed to defy the government. He also states that the usual
method of protests taken up by the masses is easily ignored however, when they use several
well-coordinated such as strikes, boycotts and others, it leads to success such as Gandhi’s Civil
Disobedience movement.

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Reference
Gregg, R. B. (2018). The power of nonviolence. Cambridge University Press.
Öztürk, S., 2018. The Role of political salafism in the formation of Saudi Arabia and the taliban
regime.
Popham, P. (2016). The lady and the generals: Aung San Suu Kyi and Burma’s struggle for
freedom. Random House.
Sharp, G. (2012). From dictatorship to democracy: A conceptual framework for liberation. The
New Press.
Worth, R. F. (2017). Libyan Ghosts: Searching for Truth after Qaddafi. Foreign Affair, 96, 127.