What is Democracy?Why Democracy?

B.RUSHI REDDY

Major Aspects Where did the word Democracy originate? What is Democracy?- Meaning and Definition. Features of Democracy Merits and Demerits of Democracy Difference between Democratic and Non

Democratic form government. Democracy- Direct & Indirect Democracy

Case Studies about different nations

Myanmar Army ruleChile PinochetNepal & Saudi MonarchyPakistan Military (Parvez Musharraf)Poland &Iraq USSR & USA (external)China Communist party (One party)Mexico PRI(Insti- Revo-party) (,,)Zimbabwe Mugabe (president)

Broader meaning of Democracy

Minimum understanding- we can identify Democratic or Non Democratic country

But – Democracy and good Democracy Features of good Democracy conclusion Consolidation

From where the word democracy is derived

The word democracy is derived from the Greek word

Demos- PeopleKratos- Power or rule

Meaning of Democracy

Democracy is a form of government in which the rulers are elected by the people.

Who are the rulers? What kind of election? Who are the people? What kind of form of government? Abraham Linkon- Democracy is a

government of the people, by the people and for the people.

Features of Democracy In a democracy the final decision making power must rest

with those who elected by the people. A democracy must be based on a free and fair election

where those currently in power have a fair chance of losing. In a democracy, each adult citizen must have one vote and

each vote must have one value. A democratic government rules within limits sets by

constitutional law and citizen’s right. The opposition parties are allowed to function freely before

and after the elections. The democratic governments are based on fundamental

principles of political equality.

Merits of 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. It is suitable the countries like India. India having diversity of language, religion and cultures. Democracy in India made it possible to keep unity in diversity.

In a democracy no one is a permanent winner or loser.

Democracy is better than other forms of government because it allows us to correct its own mistakes.

Democracy enhances the dignity of citizens, because it is based on the principle of political equality, on recognizing that the poorest and least educated have the same status as the rich and the educated.

Demerits or Drawbacks of Democracy

Leaders keep changing in a democracy. This leads to instability.

Democracy is all about political competition and power play. There is no scope for morality.

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.

Distinguish between Democratic and Non Democratic government

Dem

ocratic Govt

Non D

emocratic G

ovt

Democracy is the best form of government as the rulers are accountable to the people and have to fulfill their needs.

The rulers are not accountable to the people and their needs.

Comparison

Democratic

Non Democratic

In democratic govt people elect their rulers and have right in decision making.

The parliament is a separate body and has no interference of army.

People don not elect their rulers and have no right in decision making.

The parliament cannot pass a law about the army without the consent of the chief of army.

Comparison

Democartic

Non Democratic

Any citizen can aspire to contest election for any post irrespective of his or her caste, religion, socio- economic and educational background which means the right of vote is available to all citizens.

The citizens of the country have no right to vote.

Comparison

Democratic

Non Democratic

Democracy is based on consultation and in democratic govt people enjoy their right of discussion.

There are free and fair elections. Elections offer a choice and fair opportunity to the people to change the current rulers.

Non democratic govt is based on dictatorship. The ruler does what he wishes.

In a democratic government elections are either not held and if held they are not fair enough rather they are imposing.

Comparison

Democratic

Non Democratic

There is a freedom of expression and people enjoy their fundamental rights.

Example- India

There is no freedom of expression and people do not enjoy their fundamental rights.

Example- Saudi Arabia, Zimbabwe.

Two Types of Democracy- Direct &Indirect

Direct DemocracyIt is a political setup, where the peoplethemselves makes the laws and parliament directly in the functioning of the govt.Decisions are taken on the base of the majority of

opinion.It is suitable for the geographically small countries with less population.Egg : Ancient Greek/ Rome and India Modern period- Switzerland

In Direct Democracy

In the modern world most of the countries are following the in direct democracy.

It is system, in which the representatives are elected by the people and they act on behalf of the people.

They are so sensitive to cater the needs and opinion of the people.

Egg ; India/ France/ USA

CASE STUDIES

PAKISTAN SAUDI ARABIACHINA ESTONIAMEXICO FIJIZIMBABWE SRI LANKA

PAKISTAN General Parvez Mushraff led a military coup in oct 1999. He overthrew the democratically elected govt. He declared the chief executive of the country. In 2002 he changed his position to president Then held a referendum- five years extension Media, Human right organizations and democratic

activist said- referendum was based on malpractices and fraud.

In Aug 2002- he issued Legal Frame Work order- amended the constitution of Pakistan.

According to this order- president can dismiss the national or provisional assemblies.

The work of civilian cabinet supervised by national Security Council dominated by military officers.

After passing this law the election held to the national and state assemblies.

The elected representatives have some powers. But final power rest with military officers and

General Parvez Mushrraf

(Check this incidents along with the features of Democracy and find out which aspects violated)

CHINA In China elections are regularly held after every five years for

electing the Country’s parliament- Quanguo Rennin Diabiao Dhabi (National peoples congress)

They have the power to appoint the president It have nearly 3ooo peoples elected from all parts Some members are elected by the army Before contesting the elections the candidates needs the

approval of Chinese Communist party. Only those who member in communist party or eight smaller

parties allied to it were allowed to contest election held in 2002-2003.

The government is always formed by the communist party

(Check this incidents along with the features of Democracy and find out which aspects violated)

MEXICO Since its independence in 1930, Mexico holds

elections after every six tears to elect its president. The country has never been under military rule or

dictator rule. But until 2000 all election was won by a party

called PRI (Institutional Revolutionary Party) Opposition parties did contest the elections but

never win the election The PRI use many dirty tricks to win the election All those who employed in govt offices had to

attend its party meetings. Teachers of govt school forced parents to vote PRI

Media ignored the activities of opposition parties except to criticize them.

Some times the polling booths were shifted from one place to another place in the last minutes, which made difficult to the people cast their votes.

The PRI spent a large sum of money in the campaign for its candidates

(Check this incidents along with the features of Democracy and find out which aspects violated)

Saudi Arabia/ Estonia/ Fiji Saudi Arabia women do not have the right to

vote. Estonia 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 such that the vote of an indigenous Fiji has more value than that of an Indian Fijian.

(Check this incidents along with the features of Democracy and find out which aspects violated)

Zimbabwe Attained independence from white minority- 1980 Since then the country has been ruled by ZANU-PF, the

party led the freedom struggle. Leader- Robert Mugabe, has been ruling the country since

independence. Elections have been held regularly- always won- ZANU President is popular- but uses unfair practices in election Changed the constitution and increased the power of

president and makes him less accountable. Opposition party workers harassed and disrupted. There is a law that limits the right to criticize the president

T V and radio were controlled by govt and give only ruling party version.

There are independent news papers but the govt harasses those journalists who go against this.

The govt has ignored some court judgments and went against it and has pressurized judges.

(Check this incidents along with the features of Democracy and find out which aspects violated)

Try to find out on which aspects are violated in Democracy and which are preserved

Bhutan- King declared that in future he will be guided by the advice given to him by elected representatives.

Sri Lanka- Many Tamil workers migrated from India were not given to the right to vote.

Nepal- King imposed a ban on political gatherings, demonstrations and rallies.

Bihar- The Indian Supreme Court held that the dissolution of Bihar assembly was unconstitutional

Bangladesh- Political parties agreed that a neutral govt should rule the country at the time of elections.

Major decision by elected leaders. One person, One vote and one value Respect for rights Rule of law Free and fair electoral competitions.

BROADER MEANING OF DEMOCRACY

B.Rushi Reddy

in this chapter we understood the meaning of Democracy in a limited and descriptive sense.

We have understood Democracy is a form of govt.

The most common form that democracy takes in our times is that of a representative democracy.

In the countries we call democracy, all the people do not rule.

A majority is allowed to take decisions on behalf of all the people.

Even majority does not rule directly.

In Democracy majority of people rule through their elected

representatives- Why?

Modern democracies involves such a large number of people that it is physically impossible for them to sit together and take a collective decision.

Even if they could, the citizen does not have the time, the desire or the skills to take part in all the decisions.

Aims of Good Democracy

True democracy will come to this country only when no one goes hungry to bed.

In a democracy every citizen must be able to play equal role in decision making. For this you don’t need just an equal right to vote. Every citizen needs to have equal information, basic education, equal resources and a lot of commitment.

THANK YOU …..