DEMOCRACY

Democracy

            The English word ‘democracy’ is derived from two Greek words ‘demos’ meaning the people, and ‘cratia’ meaning power, that is power or government of the people. Abraham Lincoln has defined democracy as a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.

Democracy has assumed two terms:

            Direct democracy or pure democracy, and indirect or representative democracy.

I) Direct democracy:

            Under direct democracy the people run the government directly and not through their elected representatives. All the people assemble at a particular place to make laws, sanction laws, decide policies and appoint public officials. Such type of democracy cannot be practice in modern nation-states due to their large territory and ever-increasing population and introduction of universal adult-franchise.

II) Indirect democracy:

In an indirect, a representative democracy, the people govern the country, not directly but indirectly, that is through their periodically elected representatives. Such democracy can be possible in modern times.

Fundamental Principles of modern democracy

1) Everyone has a share in the Government

            In democratic government every one has a share in the government.

2) Rule by the majority of votes.

            A democratic government is a rule by the majority of votes. But at the same time minority, through the democratic means influence the decision making and even after every election it can transform into a majority.

3) Genuine Consent of the Governed (Public)

            Democracy is the government, based on the principle of the genuine consent of the governed. The consent of the governed must be real, active, and effective. The consent, once given to the government to govern, can be withdrawn, at any time, in a parliamentary democracy and in such circumstances the Government. is obliged to resign.

 4) Government by public opinion-

            A democratic government is based on the principle of an alert and enlightened public opinion, which influences, moulds and shapes the policies, programmes, and actions of the government of the day.

5) Government of discussions and criticism.

            Democratic governments function on the principle that every citizen has the fundamental right to pass judgment freely, fearlessly and frequently on the work of Governors, hence the right to freedom of speech, expression, press, and association are guaranteed to all citizens. These rights are integral to democracy.

6) All are equal in the eyes of the law:

Democracy is based on the principle of equality of all citizens, irrespective of caste, colour, creed sex, place of birth, education, religion, etc. It therefore, guarantees equality of opportunity to all citizens in matters of public employment and public offices.

7) Protection of rights of Minorities and weaker sections of society.

            Protecting and promoting the rights and interests of the religious and linguistic minority communities and those of the other weaker sections of the society is inherent in the democracy.

8) Recognition of the dignity of the human personality

            Democracy recognizes the dignity of the human personality and all that goes with it.

Absence of militarism:

            Militarism favours heavy concentration of authority and the rise of absolutism. This is not favourable to the habits of thought; it perverts education into training in artificial habits of command and obedience rather than those of internal discipline and quality of co-operation.

Democratic traditions.

            England has centuries old democratic traditions. These traditions are one of the reasons for the success of democracy in England.

Agreement on Some basic Axioms.

            The main pillar of democracy is “a mental habit of agreement upon a number of axioms”. These are as under: a

a) Agreement to Differ:

            It implies agreement on fundamental problems, which the political community faces and difference on the choice of policy to be adapted to those problems.

b) Majority Principle:

            This principle implies that the majority and the minority should enter into a meaningful dialogue in a spirit of “give and take” which will result in the inclusion of some of the ideas of the minority in the majority decision which will thus acquire a new quality.

c) Principle of Compromise:

            The process discussion demands a frame of mind characterized by the climate of mutual tolerance, and respect for each other’s points of view.

Challenges to Democracy

1)      Growing Role of Communalism and Religious fundamentalism.

            One of the most potent dangers to democracy, especially in our country, is the growing role of communalism and religious fundamentalism.

            Communalism in form of inter-communal riots, destruction and forcible occupation of religious places, misuse of religious places by fundamentalists and militarists is found in our country.

2)      Terrorism and Militarism:

            These are another serious challenge to democracy. Advance Arms have made terrorists activities easier and smoother

            Terrorism in Punjab, in Assam under Mizoram National front (MNF), Naga National Council (NNC), ULFA (United Liberation front of Assam), National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN), and Terrorist Activities in Kashmir Valley by the Pro-Pakistan Kashmir is as well as of LTTE in southern states are serious challenges to the Indian democracy.

3)      Casteism

            Since independence, caste has been playing an increasingly important role in all political, activities including elections, political appointments, party formations, etc. These ‘castes’ have been using political opportunities to gain and retain political power in the name of the jatis by full exploitation of caste consciousness for narrow political gains.

            To casteist, citizens are of consequences only as members of a jati, and caste is an electoral constituency, whose promotion and protection of interests become his basic and only concern. Casteism, thus cuts society into caste groups and weakens national unity.

4)      All round corruption at all levels and insufficient administration

            Another major challenge to democracy in India and abroad comes from an all round corruption, at all levels, accompanied by an inefficient politics, and lethargic administration. Criminalization of politics, politicization of crime, and an all-round corruption-all are closely connected and interwoven, and manifest in different forms, attacking democratic system from all fronts.

5)      Criminalization of politics and Breakdown of law and order machinery.

            Many persons with criminal records get elected to the state legislative assemblies by anti-democratic means. Representative democracy is possible only if free, fair and impartial, periodic elections are held on the basis of universal adult suffrage. However, the role of money power and muscle power in (i) intimidations of voters, kidnapping of candidates, (ii) free supply of liquor and other inducements, (iii) murders of active workers and (iv) ballot-box jugglery makes free and fair  elections nearly impossible.

            The frequent breakdown of law and order machinery has caused frequent military intervention, for maintenance of civil order, which suggests as well as contributes to the breakdown of legitimate constitutional govt, which is one of the pillars of democracy.

6)      Widespread Socio-Economic Distress:

            The socio-economic distress, manifested in a variety of ways, such as glaring economic inequalities between the few rich and the multitude of poor, mass poverty, illiteracy, conditions of famine, and unemployment pose a serious challenge.

            A vote of a starving and illiterate can be easily nullified by his poverty, as votes can be purchased and sold at the time of elections. In another way failure of the govt. to take effective and corrective measures for removal of socio economic distress, may invite the year and anger of the unfortunate masses in the form of revolt, which has the effect of demolishing the democratic structure in the country.