(i) In democratic governments political leaders are elected while in military regimes members of the administration are not elected.
(ii) In democratic governments Fundamental Human Rights are guaranteed and respected while in military regimes, they are curtailed and violated with impunity.
(iii) Actions of democratic governments are open to public scrutiny and criticisms while military regimes are intolerant and apprehensive to scrutiny and criticisms.
(iv)In democratic government, political parties exist while in military regimes, they are banned.
(v) In democratic governments, laws are generally made through democratic procedures while military regimes ruled by decrees.
(vi) in democratic governments, the constitution, as the fundamental law, is allowed to operate while in military regimes they are suspended.
(vii) Democratic governments promote free press while in military regime; they are usually gagged/censored or proscribed.
(viii) Democratic governments apply anti uphold separation of powers while in military regimes, powers are fussed.
(ix) Decisions in democratic governments are through persuasion while in military regimes, coercion and violence are utilized.
(x) Democratic governments are legitimate while military regimes are illegitimate
(xi) Democratic governments gained international recognition while military regime may not.
(xii) In democratic governments, there is independence of the judiciary while under military regime, the independence of the Judiciary is eroded by setting up to special military tribunals.
(xiii) In democratic governments there is fixed term of office while in the military there is no fixed term of office.
(xiv) Democratic governments are responsive and accountable to the people while military regime are neither responsive nor accountable to the people.