What is Democracy? Why Democracy?
"Words are used to express certain ideas. But the word "democracy" as it is used by political system, seems to express everything or nothing. The difficulty lies in the fact that the term has been understood not only as a form of government but also as an ideal way of life. Today it is seen as the best possible form of governance."
1.0What is Democracy?
The word 'Democracy' has been derived from a Greek word 'Demokratia', 'Demos' means people and 'Kratia' means rule. Democracy is a form of government in which the rulers are elected by the people.
It is based on fundamental principle of 'Political Equality'.
2.0Common features of Democratic Government & Non-Democratic Government
(a) Democratic government
(i) Government formed by people's representatives. (ii) Representatives are elected in a free and fair election. (iii) Different decisions of the government are taken in an open manner; debate in media, invitation to experts' opinion, representations by the common man form a part of decision-making process. (iv) Citizens have a right to oppose and criticise any government action and policy. (v) Citizens have a right to protest if the mode of protest is within the boundaries of law.
(b) Non-democratic government
(i) Rule by force, by a person or by a group of persons. (ii) No opposition is permitted. (iii) No criticism of government or the rulers is tolerated. (iv) Citizens have no rights. (v) Citizens cannot resort to any method of protest.
3.0Features of Democracy
(a) In a democracy, the final decision-making power must rest with those elected by the people
A democratic government is one in which the people's representatives participate in decision making process. They own a collective responsibility for all the decisions taken by the government. There are examples where representatives of people are chosen but they are not allowed to participate in decision making process. This happens in many dictatorships and monarchies, e.g., in Pakistan under General Musharraf. They formally have an elected parliament and government, but the real power is with those who are not elected. Notwithstanding the existence of elected national and provincial assemblies, these countries can not be classified as a democratic country.Major decisions by elected leaders
- In Oct 1999, General Pervez Musharraf overthrew the democratically elected govt. and declared himself "THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE" of the country.
- In 2002 he held a referendum that granted him a 5 -year extension. It was based on malpractices and fraud.
- In August 2002 he issued "LEGAL FRAMEWORK ORDER". According to this order, the President can dismiss the national or provincial assemblies.
- The work of the civilian cabinet is supervised by a National Security Council which is dominated by military officers. Final powers rest with General Musharraf.
- Democracy - where fair and free elections must be held - is being forced on Iraq by the US and its allies. There are no 'free' and 'fair' elections. The capital ' ' suggests mockery of democratic norms.
(b) A democracy must be based on free and fair elections where those currently in power have a fair chance of losing.
The essence of democracy is that the rulers must be truly people's representatives. In order to choose these representatives, a system of elections is put in order. Now, an election could have some meaning and significance only if it has been held in a free and fair manner.A free election is one in which every person has an equal right to vote and to vote without fear and threat. He exercises his choice in a judicious manner. A fair election is
- Free and fair electoral competition
(i) In China, elections are regularly held after five years for electing the Country's parliament, called Quanguo Renmin Daibiao Dahui (National people's Congress). (ii) The National People's Congress has the power to appoint the President of the country. (iii) It has nearly 3000 members elected from all over China. Some members are elected by the army. (iv) Before contesting elections, a candidate needs the approval of the Chinese Communist Party. (v) 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. (vi) The government is always formed by the Communist Party.
- Democracy in Mexico Since its independence in 1930, Mexico holds elections after every six years to elect its President. The country has never been under a military or dictator's rule. But still it cannot be called a democratic country. Free and fair election is the basic feature of democracy but in Mexico this is not so. In Mexico until 2000, every election was won by a party called PRI (Institutional Revolutionary Party). Opposition parties did contest elections, but never managed to win. 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 at 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. The PRI spent a large sum of money in the campaign for its candidates.
(c) In a Democracy, each adult citizen must have one vote and each vote must have one value
A true democracy grants its citizens what is called "universal adult franchise". It means all the adults have a right to vote without any discrimination based on sex, colour, race, caste, or class. Each person can caste one vote; all votes are counted; the person who gets the maximum number of votes gets elected. There are many instances of denial of equal right to vote: (i) Until 2015 in Saudi Arabia women do not have the right to vote. (ii) 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. (iii) In Fiji, the electoral system is such that the vote of an indigenous Fiji has more value than that of an Indian Fijian.
(d) Rule of law and respect for rights
The state should respect some basic rights of the citizens. They should be free to think, to have opinions, to express their views in public, to form associations, to protest. Everyone should be equal in the eyes of law. There should be an independent judiciary whose orders are obeyed by everyone. A democratic government rules within limits set by constitutional law and citizens rights.- Zimbabwe attained independence from white minority rule 1980.
- ZANU-PF - the party led the freedom struggle movement under the leadership of Robert Mugabe.
- Mugabe is popular but also uses unfair practices in elections.
- Constitution amended so many times to increase the powers of President Mugabe and make him less accountable.
- Opposition party workers are harassed, and their meeting disrupted and public protests the government are declared illegal.
- T.V. and Radio are controlled by the government and give only the ruling party's version.
4.0Why Democracy?
(a) Arguments in support of democracy
(i) It involves many persons and based on consultation and discussions. (ii) It might take time to take decision but reduces the chance of irresponsible decision. (iii) Democracy is a combination of different ethnic groups and might cause conflict among different people or their preferences. But Democracy provides only peaceful solution because no one is permanent winner or loser. (iv) It is based on principle of political equality, provides with some status of poor and rich. (v) It is so because it gives room for proper discussion and no mistake can be hidden for long, it provides proper space for corrections. (vi) Democracy is considered the best form of government.(b) Arguments against the democracy
(i) Leaders keep changing in a democracy. This leads to instability. (ii) Democracy is all about political competition and power play. There is no scope for morality. (iii) So many people have to be consulted in a democracy that it leads to delays. (iv) Elected leaders do not know the best interest of the people. It leads to bad decisions. (v) Democracy leads to corruption for it is based on electoral competition. (vi) Ordinary people do not know what is good for them; they should not decide anything.5.0Broader Meaning of Democracy
A representative democracy is one in which people elect their representative to legislatures. These representatives in turn form the government and govern. In this type of democracy, a majority is allowed to take decisions on behalf of all the people.
- Modern democracies involve such many 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.
6.0Nominal democracy and Ideal democracy
A nominal democracy, as we normally use the term, refers to a system of governance which is run by the people's elected representatives. An ideal democracy is a broader concept. An ideal democracy is a system in which every citizen must be able to play equal role in decision making. For this, one does not need just equal right to vote. Every citizen needs to have equal information, basic education, equal resources, and a lot of commitment. There may not be any country in the world which passes this test of democracy. Yet an understanding of democracy as an ideal reminds us of why we value democracy.
7.0Difference between Democratic form of government and Dictatorship
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