LIJ IN GOLDEN

What is Democracy?Why Democracy?

Background (previous chapter)

Some stories related with DemocracyDifference- Democratic and Non DemocraticThis Chapter- What is Democracy? And its

features.After that we can distinguish- Democratic and

Non Democratic countryDemocracy- is the most prevalent form of

Govt, and expanding more cuntries.What are the reasons behind this?

Major Aspects

Where did the word Democracy originate?What is Democracy?- Meaning and Definition.Features of DemocracyMerits and Demerits of DemocracyDifference 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 DemocracyFeatures 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.

Democratic Govt Non Democratic Govt

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.

Distinguish between Democratic and Non Democratic government

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.

Comaparison

Democratic Non Demcratic

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.

Comparison

Two Types of Democracy- Direct &Indirect

Direct DemocracyIt is a political setup, where the people

themselves 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.

Eg : Ancient Greek/ Rome and India Modern period- Switzerland

In Direct DemocracyIn 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.

Eg ; India/ France/ USA

CASE STUDIESPAKISTAN SAUDI

ARABIACHINA ESTONIA

MEXICO FIJIZIMBABWE SRI LANKA

PAKISTANGeneral 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 presidentThen held a referendum- five years extensionMedia, Human right organisations 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)

CHINAIn China elections are regularly held after every five

years for electing the Country’s parliament- Quanguo Renmin Diabiao Dahui (National peoples congress)

They have the power to appoint the presidentIt have nearly 3ooo peoples elected from all partsSome members are elected by the armyBefore 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)

MEXICOSince 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 electionAll 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 criticise 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- 1980Since 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- ZANUPresident is popular- but uses unfair practices in

electionChanged 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 criticise 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 pressurised 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 valueRespect for rightsRule of lawFree and fair electoral competitions.

BROADER MEANING OF DEMOCRACY

LIJ IN

On 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.