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Democracy.pdf
- 1.
- 2. Introduction Democracy isnot merely a form of government . It is also a form a state as a well society. It is closely associated with participation, competition and civil and political liberties. It is order of society. Democracy is defined as a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodic free elections.
- 3. Meaning Democracy refersto a political system in which government is form by the people, exercised either directly or through elected representative. Main Points: People Elected government. There is freedom of speech. There is no one party government In the country. Right to give vote to elect their representatives. The common people, considered as the primary source of political power. The principles of social equality and respect for the individual within a community.
- 4. It definesas government by the people in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system. Abraham Lincoln:-Democracy is a government “of the people, by the people, and for the people.” There is no clear – cut, universal definition of democracy. Most definitions of democracy focus on qualities, procedures, and institutions
- 5. The word‘democracy’ itself means ‘rule by the people. A democracy is a system where people can change their rulers in a peaceful manner and the government is given the right to rule because the people say it may. Government by the people, especially- rule of the majority. A government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections. A political unit that has a democratic government. The term ‘democracy’ comes from the Greek word demokratia which means “rule of the people”. It was coined from two words: demos that means “people” and Kratos which refers to “power”. That is, in a democracy the power rests with the people.
- 6. Definition MacIver :Democracy is a form of state is merely a mode of appointing, controlling and dismissing a government Gettel: Democracy is that form of government in which the masses of the population possesses the right to share in the exercise of sovereign power. Bryce:- Democracy really means nothing more or less than the rule of the whole people, expressing their Sovereign will by their votes.
- 7. Principals of democracy Constitution. Free elections . Government by consent of the people. Majority Rule. Rule of law. Guarantees rights and freedoms. Change the Government. Open Society. Political Equality. Freedom to live or travel anywhere in the country. Importance of Public Opinion. Participation of people in decision making process. Role of opposition party.
- 8. Why we preferDemocracy To lead the country to development. Element of decentralization. To rise of political institutions. Right to commerce. Spread of education. Free Media. Independent Judiciary.
- 9. Conditions necessary for successfulworking of democracy. A system can be termed as a genuine and comprehensive democracy only when it fulfills both political and socio-economic aspects of people’ s participation and satisfaction. There may be two major categories: (a)political conditions, and (b) social and economic conditions – the fulfillment of the first leads to political democracy and the second as social democracy .
- 10. Political Condition:It is essential that for a system to be democratic, we must adopt a Constitution and laws that vest supreme power in the people. The human rights and fundamental rights, such as equality , liberty of thought and expression, belief, movement, communication and association must be protected by the Constitution. The democratic system has to have universal adult franchise as the basis of electing representatives at various levels of the government.
- 11. There hasto be a responsible government in which the executive is answerable to the legislature, the legislature to the people and the Judiciary to remain independent. Political institutions like political parties and interest and pressure groups (associations, various non- governmental organizations) must be functional for expressing popular needs, demands and grievances. A democratic system is strengthened if it maintains an enlightened public opinion in its various forms through free press and other communication processes.
- 12. social andeconomic conditions: A democratic system has to ensure that the social development is in tune with democratic values and norms reflecting equality of social status and opportunities for development, social security and social welfare. Citizens must avail opportunities of universal and compulsory education. They must also be enabled to utilize means of economic development. The fruits of economic development must reach all and especially to the poor and the deprived sections of the society . Socio-economic development of the people strengths social democracy .
- 13. CHALLENGES BEFORE INDIAN DEMOCRACY Since independence India has been functioning as a responsible democracy.It has successfully adapted to the challenging situations. There have been free and fair periodic elections for all political offices from the panchayats to the President. There has been smooth transfer of political power from one political party or set of political parties to others, both at national and state levels on many occasions.
- 14. The legislative,executive and judicial organs have been functioning properly. The Parliament and the State Legislatures control the Executives effectively through the means like question hours, etc. The mass media, including print and electronic, have full autonomy and play a key role in formulating and influencing public opinion. Significant social change has taken place in almost all walks of life and the nation is moving ahead on course of socio-economic development.
- 15. India isa very large country full of diversities – linguistically , culturally, religiously. At the time of independence it was economically underdeveloped. There were enormous regional disparities, widespread poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, and shortage of almost all public welfare means. Yet, there are various challenges that the country faces in terms of fulfillment of expectations of various sections of society. The challenges come both from prevailing domestic and international conditions as well as lack of adequate prerequisites for a smooth functioning of democracy. These are discussed below .
- 16. Corruption Corruption inpublic life has been a major concern in India. In 2011, India was ranked 95(183 countries) defined as corrupt in Transparency International’ s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). In fact, corruption is rampant in all walks of life, be it land and property , health, education, commerce and industry, agriculture, transport, police, armed forces, even religious institutions or so-called places of spiritual pursuits.
- 17. Corruption continuesto exist in covert and overt ways at all three levels - political, bureaucratic and corporate sector. One can see the relation between the politicians, the bureaucrats and the industrialists which has resulted into corruption and corrupt practices. The corruption have affected all organs of government, including the judiciary. Corruption in electoral processes and bribing of voters who participate in elections at different levels has now become a common practice.
- 18. In recentyears, various scams have been coming out in our country in quick succession. In fact, corruption is a sign of political instability and institutional decay, challenging seriously the validity and propriety of governance.
- 19. Casteism The castesystem which presumably originated in the division of labour in the ancient society has become a more or less rigid group classification, based on birth. Inhuman aspect of the caste system is the practice of untouchability which is continuing in spite of the constitutional ban imposed on it. This has led to segregation of so called low castes or ‘Dalits’, depriving them of education and other social benefits. The Dalits have been typically performing menial labour and some of the hardest physical work in society. Casteism has played a negative role even in the democratic political processes
- 20. In fact,casteism has become notorious as a strategy of exploitation of caste consciousness for narrow political gains. The caste system acts against the roots of democracy . The democratic facilities - like fundamental rights relating to equality , freedom of speech, expression and association, participation in the electoral process, free media and press, and even legislative forums - are misused for maintaining casteist identity . Casteism has also been contributing towards continuation of socio-economic inequalities. It is true that India has been an unequal society from times immemorial. The Scheduled Castes (SCs), the Scheduled Tribes (ST s) and the backward classes have suffered down the ages from socio-economic
- 21. There areenormous inequalities in our society which are posing serious challenge to Indian democracy. What is more alarming is the mixing of caste and politics resulting into ‘politicization of caste’ and ‘casteization of politics’ in contemporary Indian polity which has become a grave challenge to our democracy . Despite the era of liberalization and globalization caste consciousness has not been eroded in our society and castes are being increasingly used as vote bank politics.
- 22. Communalism Communalism andreligious fundamentalism have acquired a very dangerous form and alarming proportion in India. Communalism is an affront to India’ s nationalist identity and a tragic setback to its evolving secular culture. It is subversive of our democratic political stability and destroyer of our glorious heritage of humanism and composite culture. Quite often, communalism is wrongly used as a synonym for religion or conservatism.
- 23. communalism isan ideology of political allegiance to a religious community . It uses one religious community against other communities and perceives other religious communities as its enemies. It is opposed to secularism and even humanism. One of the manifestations of communalism is communal riots. In recent past also, communalism has proved to be a great threat to our social and political life on several occasions.
- 24. Regionalism Development processin the country aims at growth and development of all regions, the regional disparities and imbalances in terms of differences in per capita income, literacy rates, state of health and educational infrastructure and services, population situation and levels of industrial and agricultural development continue to exist. Existence and continuation of regional inequalities both among States and within a State create a feeling of neglect, deprivation and discrimination. This situation has led to regionalism manifested in demands for creation of new States, autonomy or more powers to States or even secession from the country.
- 25. It istrue that regionalism and sub-regionalism are unavoidable in a vast and plural country like India. The problem begins when these interests are politicized and regional movements are promoted for ulterior political motives. Such unhealthy regional or sub-regional patriotism is cancerous and disruptive. The continuing regional imbalances have given rise to militant movements in certain parts of our country. Separatist demands in Jammu and Kashmir or by ULF A(United Liberation Front of Assam) in Assam or by different groups in the North- Eastern region are matters of grave concern for Indian polity.