Discussion of the value of democracy

There's plenty on this subject at P.A.P., but it is soooo useful to us that it makes sense to keep pointing it out. Here, a consequential and a deontological take. (Those heres are all url links.)

An instrumental justification of democracy can take many different forms, depending on the ultimate goal that is supposed to be promoted by democracy. The most common forms are:
Democracy promotes prosperity, economic growth and poverty reduction. Read more here and here.
Democracy promotes peace (internally and externally). See here, here and here.
Democracy leads to better political decisions. See here, here and here.
Democracy leads to less repression and more respect for human rights. See here, here, here, here and here.
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The non-instrumental justification, the one that says that democracy is good, not because of what it produces, but because of what it is, is also very interesting and persuasive. More...