Social Science Civics Chapter: What is Democracy and Why Democracy? (Summary of the topic taught as on 14/06/2021)

Topics Covered:

Definition of Democracy

Features of Democracy

Merits of Democracy

Demerits of Democracy

Broader Meaning of Democracy

Notes:

A simple Definition: Democracy is a form of government in which the rulers are elected by the people.

FEATURES OF DEMOCRACY

The rulers are elected by the people.
Free and competitive elections are held.
Each adult irrespective of religion, education, caste, color, wealth have one vote, one value.
The elected rulers take decisions within limits set by constitutional law and citizens rights.
Rule of Law.
The rights of the citizens must be protected through Constitution.
There must be an independent judiciary.

MAJOR DECISIONS BY ELECTED LEADERS

In Pakistan, General Pervez Musharraf led a military coup in October 1999 and overthrew dramatically elected government and became President of the country.
In 2002, he held a referendum in the country which was based on malpractices and fraud granted him a five year extension.
After passing law, 'Legal Framework Order' which gave the president power to dismiss the national and provincial assemblies, elections were held to the national and provincial assemblies.
In this case, Pakistan has had elections, elected representatives have some powers. But the final power rests with military officers and General Musharraf himself. So, this should not be called a democracy.
In a democracy, the final decision making power must rest with those elected by the people.

FREE AND FAIR ELECTORAL COMPETITION

In China, elections are regularly held after every five years for electing the country's Parliament called National People's Congress.
Before contesting elections, a candidate needs the approval of the Chinese Communist Party.
The government is always formed by the Communist Party.
Mexico holds elections after every six years to elect its President.
But until 2000 every election was won by a party called PRI (Institutional Revolutionary Party).
Opposition parties did contest elections, but never managed to win as PRI was known to use many dirty tricks to win elections.
Both the cases should not be called a democracy.
A democracy must be based on a free and fair election where those currently in power have a fair chance of losing.

ONE PERSON, ONE VOTE, ONE VALUE

There are many instances of denial of equal right to vote.
In Saudi Arabia women do not have the right to vote.
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.
In Fiji, the electoral system is such that the vote of an indigenous Fiji 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.

RULE OF LAW AND RESPECT FOR RIGHTS

Since Independence, Zimbabwe ruled by Zanu-PF.
Its leader, Robert Mugabe has been ruling the country. He is popular but also uses unfair practices in elections.
Elections have been held regularly and always won by Zanu PF.
Opposition party workers are harassed and their meeting disrupted.
Public protests and demonstrations against the government and given only the ruling party's version.
Independent newspapers are there but the government harasses those journalists who go against it.
The government has ignored some court judgements that went against it and has pressurized judges.
In this case, government is not democratic as there is no citizen basic rights, no political opposition, no judiciary.
A democratic government rule within limits set by constitutional law and citizen's rights.

WHY DEMOCRACY?

Arguments against Democracy

Leaders keep changing in a democracy. This leads to stability.
Democracy is all about political competition and power play. There is no scope for morality.
So many people have to be consulted in a democracy that it leads to delays.
Elected leaders do not know the best interest of the people. It leads to bad decisions.
Democracy leads to corruption for it is based on electoral competition.
Ordinary people don't know what is good for them; they should not decide anything.

Arguments for Democracy

A democratic government is a better government because it is a more accountable form of government.
Democracy improves the quality of decision making.
Democracy provides a method to deal with differences and conflicts.
Democracy enhances the dignity of citizens.
Democracy allows us to correct its own mistakes.

BROADER MEANING OF DEMOCRACY

The most common form that democracy takes in our times is that of a representative democracy where majority is allowed to take decisions on behalf of all the people.
The majority of people rule through their elected representatives.
A democratic decision involves consultation with and consent of all those who are affected by that decision.
Democracy is a principle that can be applied to any sphere of life.
Democracy can apply to a government or a family or any other organisation.

Definitions:

Referendum: A general vote by the electorate on a single political issue which has been referred to them for a direct decision.

Cabinet: The committee of senior ministers responsible for controlling government policy.

Dictatorship: A form of government in which a person or a group of persons possesses absolute power without effective constitutional limitations.

Morality: Principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong.

PIS BARODA STD - 9