Self rule means rule by the persons who are selected on the consent of ruled. No rule is better than self rule because it provides best opportunities for the development of personalities of people, effective participation of people in the government process and more effective channels of political education. Self rule is the chief characteristics of liberal democracy.
Merits of Liberal Democracy : Liberal Democracy is characterized by representative government, provision for civil liberties and limited scope of the government.
Six main merits of liberal democracy are given below:
1. It provides for the rule of people and a representative and responsible government.
2. It promotes the interest of common man. It provides various social, economic and political benefits to all citizens.
3. It provides for a secure and stable government with no chance for revolutions and violent means.
4. It treats all people as equal partners and participants in the government. Equality is the cornerstone of liberal democracy.
5. It provides for effective channels for popular participation and political education to people.
6. It prevents the arbitrary and despotico rule as rulers are changed after regular interval through periodic election.
