WHAT IS DEMOCRACY , WHY DEMOCRACY?

Class - IX (Civics) NCERT

    “Democracy is a form of Govt. in which the rulers are Elected by the people.”
    Every country which holds election cannot be termed as a democracy. There are some other factors also. Many country’s have elections but cannot be termed as Democracy.

Features of Democracy

(i)    “Major decisions by elected leaders”
    General Parvej Musharraf led a Military Coup in Oct. 1999, he declared himself the ‘Chief Executive’ of the country. Became President in 2002, he held a referendum which granted him a five year extension. But this referendum was based on malpractices and fraud. He issued an order according to which President can dismiss the National or Provincial Assemblies. Work of the civilian cabinet was to supervised by a National Security Council dominated by military officials.
    “In a democracy the final decision making power must rest with those elected by the people.”

(ii)     “Free and Fair electoral competition.”
    China - National People’s Congress appoints President of China, has 3000 members but all belong to Chinese Communist Party or her allies. The Govt. is always formed by the Communist Party.
    Mexico - Since 1920 to 2000 every election is won by PRI, they use dirty tricks to win elections.
    (a) All Govt. officials to be a part of PRI only.
    (b) Teachers force parents to vote for PRI.
    (c) Media favours only PRI
    (d) Last moment changes in Election Booths.
    (e) Govt. spent money on the campaigning of PRI candidates.
    “A democracy must be based on a free and fair election where those currently in power have a fair chance of losing.”

(iii)     “One Person, One Vote and One Value”
    (a) In Saudi Arabia women’s don’t have the Right to Vote.
    (b) In Estonia Russian minority finds it difficult to get the Right to Vote.
    (c) In Fiji, vote of an indigenous Fijian has more value than that of an Indian Fijian.
    “In a democracy, each adult citizen must have one vote and each vote must have one value.”

(iv)     “Rule of Law and respect for Rights.”
    Zimbabwe since its independence, has been ruled by ZANU-PF, regular elections are held in this country, even then this country cannot be termed as Democracy because,
    (a) Has amended Constitution many times to increase the powers of the President.
    (b) People don’t have the Right of Speech and Expression.
    (c) Censorship of Media
    (d) Govt. ignores court judgements which goes against it.
    Govt. violates basic rights of the citizens. For e.g. Right of Equality, Right to Freedom of Speech  and Expression, Right to form Associations, Right to Constitutional Remedies are not provided to citizens.
    “Even major decisions has to go through a series of consultation. Rights of the minorities should be protected.”

    Summery
    A Democracy must have the following features -
    (a) Representatives elected by the people take all the decisions.
    (b) Elections offer a choice and fair opportunity to the people to change the current rulers.
    (c) Opportunity is available to all the people on an equal basis.
    (d) Leads to a Govt. limited by basic rules of the Constitution and citizen’s right.

    Arguments against Democracy
    (a) Leaders keep changing, it leads to instability.
    (b) All about political competition and power play, no scope for morality.
    (c) So many people have to be consulted that it leads to delays.
    (d) Leaders do not know the best interest of the people, it leads to bad decisions.
    (e) Leads to corruption.
    (f) Many people don’t know what is good for them, they should not decide anything.

    Arguments in Favour of Democracy
    (a) More accountable from of Govt.
    (b) Improves the quality of decision making.
    (c) Provides a method to deal with difference and conflicts.
    (d) Enhances the dignity of citizens
    (e) It allows us to correct its own mistakes.