DEFINITION OF DEMOCRACY-
Democracy is a form of government in which the rulers are elected by the people.
FEATURES OF DEMOCRACY
- Rulers elected by the people take all the major decisions.
In a democracy the final decision-making power must rest with those elected by the people
Some countries don’t abide by this feature. For example, Pakistan.
In Pakistan, General Pervez Musharraf led a military coup in October 1999->He overthrew a democratically elected government and declared himself the ‘Chief Executive’ of the country->Later he changed his designation to President and in 2002 held a referendum in the country that granted him a five year extension->referendum was based on malpractices and fraud->In August 2002 he issued a ‘Legal Framework Order’ that amended the Constitution of Pakistan(according to this Order, the President can dismiss the national and provincial assemblies)->After passing this law, elections were held to the national and provincial assemblies->But the final power rests with military officers and General Musharraf himself.
- Free and fair electoral competition
A democracy must be based on a free and fair election where those currently in power have a fair chance of losing.
Some countries don’t abide by this feature. For example, China and Mexico
In China, elections are regularly held after every five years for electing the country’s parliament, called Quanguo Renmin Daibiao Dahui (National People’s Congress)->The National People’s Congress has the power to appoint the President of the country (3,000 members)->Some members are elected by the army. Before contesting elections, a candidate needs the approval of the Chinese Communist Party. Only those who are members of the Chinese Communist Party or eight smaller parties allied to it were allowed to contest elections held in 2002-03->In China the elections do not offer the people any serious choice. They have to choose the ruling party and the candidates approved by it.
The government is always formed by the Communist Party. Since its independence in 1930, Mexico holds elections after every six years to elect its President->The PRI was known to use many dirty tricks to win elections->All those who were employed in government offices had to attend its party meetings->Teachers of government schools used to force parents to vote for the PRI->Media largely ignored the activities of opposition political parties except to criticize them->Sometimes the polling booths were shifted from one place to another in the last minute, which made it difficult for people to cast their votes->people seemed to really have a choice but in practice they had no choice->These are not fair elections.
- One person, one vote, one value
In a democracy, each adult citizen must have one vote and each vote must have one value.
Countries which don’t abide by this feature: -
- In Saudi Arabia women do not have the right to vote.
- Estonia has made its citizenship rules in such a way that people belonging to Russian minority find it difficult to get the right to vote.
- In Fiji, the electoral system is such that the vote of an indigenous Fiji has more value than that of an Indian-Fijian.
- Rule of law and respect for rights
A democratic government rules within limits set by constitutional law and citizens’ rights.
Some countries don’t abide by this feature. For example, Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe attained independence from White minority rule in 1980 ==> Since then the country has been ruled by ZANU-PF, Robert Mugabe, has been ruling the country since independence->Elections have been held regularly and always won by ZANU-PF->Over the years his government has changed the constitution several times to increase the powers of the President and make him less accountable->Opposition party workers are harassed and their meeting disrupted(Public protests and demonstrations against the government are declared illegal)->Television,radio and independent newspapers are controlled by the government and give only the ruling party’s version->The government has ignored some court judgments that went against it and has pressurized judges.
Arguments against democracy
- Leaders keep changing in a democracy. This leads to instability.
- Democracy is all about political competition and power play. There is no scope for morality.
- So many people have to be consulted in a democracy that it leads to delays.
- Elected leaders do not know the best interest of the people. It leads to bad decisions.
- Democracy leads to corruption for it is based on electoral competition.
- Ordinary people don’t know what is good for them; they should not decide anything.
Arguments for democracy
- A democratic government is a better government because it is a more accountable form of government.
Example-China’s famine of 1958-1961 was the worst recorded famine in world history. Nearly three crore people died in this famine. During those days, India’s economic condition was not much better than China.The existence of democracy in India made the Indian government respond to food scarcity in a way that the Chinese government did not. They point out that no large-scale famine has ever taken place in an independent and democratic country. If China too had multiparty elections, an opposition party and a press free to criticize the government, then so many people may not have died in the famine.
- A democratic government is a better government because it is a more accountable form of government.
Democracy is based on consultation and discussion. A democratic decision always involves many persons, discussions and meetings. When several people put their heads together, they are able to point out possible mistakes in any decision. This reduces the chances of rash or irresponsible decisions.
- Democracy provides a method to deal with differences and conflicts.
In democracy, no one is a permanent winner. No one is a permanent loser. Different groups can live with one another peacefully. In a diverse country like India, democracy keeps our country together.
- Democracy enhances the dignity of citizens.
People are not subjects of a ruler, they are the rulers themselves. Even when they make mistakes, they are responsible for their conduct.
- Democracy is better than other forms of government because it allows us to correct its own mistakes.
BROADER MEANINGS OF DEMOCRACY
The majority of people rule through their elected representatives. This become necessary because:
- Modern democracies involve such a large number of people that it is physically impossible for them to sit together and take a collective decision.
- Even if they could, the citizen does not have the time, the desire or the skills to take part in all the decisions.