Learning Objective
- What Is Democracy? Why Democracy?
- Features of Democracy
- Why Democracy?
- Broader Meanings of Democracy
What Is Democracy? Why Democracy?
Democracy is a type of government where the leaders are chosen through elections by the people. In all democracies, the government’s legitimacy comes from the fact that it represents the will of the citizens. Here are some key points:
- Election-Based: In a democracy, leaders (such as presidents or prime ministers) are elected by the people through voting.
- Contrast with Non-Democratic Systems: In non-democratic systems, rulers may come to power without being elected. For instance, in Myanmar, the military took control without people’s consent.
- Dictators like Pinochet in Chile also don’t go through elections.
- Monarchies, where power is inherited, also fall outside the democratic framework.
Features of Democracy
The simple definition of democracy gives rise to various questions, which are given below:
- Who are the rulers in this definition?
- What kind of election constitutes a democratic election?
- Who are the people who can elect the rulers or get elected as rulers?
- Finally, what form of government is a democracy?
Major Decisions by Elected Leaders
- Democracy and Decision-Making:
- In a democracy, leaders are chosen through elections by the people.
- However, some countries deviate from this democratic principle.
- For example, in Pakistan, General Pervez Musharraf seized power through a military coup in 1999.
- He became the President and extended his rule through a referendum in 2002.
- Despite elections, the real power remained with the military and Musharraf himself.
- This situation doesn’t align with true democracy.
- Key Point:
- In a genuine democracy, the ultimate decision-making authority rests with those elected by the people.
Free and Fair Electoral Competition
- China’s Elections:
- In China, elections occur every five years to choose the National People’s Congress.
- However, there’s a catch: candidates must first gain approval from the Chinese Communist Party.
- The government is consistently formed by the Communist Party.
- This system doesn’t fully align with the idea of people freely electing their rulers.
- Mexico’s Elections:
- Since its independence in 1930, Mexico has held presidential elections every six years.
- But here’s the twist: until 2000, the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) won every election.
- This lack of change raises questions about genuine electoral competition.
- Democracy’s Essence:
- True democracy hinges on free and fair elections.
- In such elections, those currently in power must face a real possibility of losing.
- When citizens can freely choose their leaders without undue influence, democracy thrives.
One Person, One Vote, One Value
- “Democracy rests on the principle of political equality, but instances of unequal voting rights persist. For example, until 2015, Saudi Arabian women lacked voting rights. Estonia’s citizenship rules posed challenges for Russian minorities seeking to vote.
- In Fiji, the electoral system disproportionately values indigenous Fijians’ votes over those of Indian-Fijians. True democracy ensures that every adult citizen has one vote, and each vote carries equal weight.”
Rule of Law and Respect for Rights
- “Zimbabwe gained independence from White minority rule in 1980, but since then, it has been under the continuous rule of ZANU-PF, the party that led the freedom struggle.
- President Robert Mugabe held power throughout, often employing unfair tactics during elections. Criticizing the President was restricted by law, and state-controlled media favored the ruling party. Despite elections, true democracy requires adherence to constitutional limits and respect for citizens’ rights.”
Why Democracy?
Arguments against democracy
- Leaders keep changing in a democracy leading to instability.
- Democracy is all about political competition and power play, leaving no scope for morality.
- Many people have to be consulted in a democracy, which leads to delays.
- Elected leaders do not know the best interest of the people, resulting in bad decisions.
- Democracy leads to corruption since it is based on electoral competition.
- Ordinary people don’t know what is good for them; they should not decide anything.
Arguments in Favour of Democracy
- “Democracy is a better form of government because it promotes accountability. For instance, during the famines of 1958-1961, India responded better than China, despite economic challenges. Democracy involves consultation and discussion, leading to well-informed decisions. It also provides a peaceful way to address differences and respects the dignity of all citizens.”
- “Democracy enhances decision-making quality by involving consultation, discussion, and multiple perspectives. Although this process takes time, it reduces impulsive or ill-considered choices.”
- “In a diverse society like ours, people have varying opinions and interests. These differences can lead to conflicts. Democracy offers a peaceful solution. It ensures that no one is a permanent winner or loser, allowing different groups to coexist harmoniously.”
- “In a democracy, everyone is equal. It doesn’t matter if you’re rich or poor, educated or not. Democracy respects the dignity of all citizens.”
- “In a democracy, everyone is equal. It doesn’t matter if you’re rich or poor, educated or not. Democracy respects the dignity of all citizens.”
Broader Meanings of Democracy
- “In a democracy, people elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf. Modern democracies involve large populations, making it impractical for everyone to participate directly in decision-making.
- While no country perfectly embodies democratic ideals, understanding democracy as an ideal helps us appreciate its value. It allows us to assess existing democracies, identify weaknesses, and distinguish between minimal and robust democratic systems. In smaller communities, direct decision-making by all members can also be a democratic approach, as seen in village Gram Sabhas.”
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