Академический Документы
Профессиональный Документы
Культура Документы
What is
Democracy?
Why
Democracy?
OVERVIE
VERVIE
VIEWW
The stories and the analysis in the previous chapter gave us a sense of
what democracy is like. There we described some governments as
democratic and some as non-democratic. We saw how governments in
some of those countries changed from one form to the other. Let us now
draw general lessons from those stories and ask the more basic question:
What is democracy? What are its features? This chapter builds on a simple
definition of democracy. Step by step, we work out the meaning of the
terms involved in this definition. The aim here is to understand clearly the
bare minimum features of a democratic form of government. After going
through this chapter we should be able to distinguish a democratic form
of government from a non-democratic government. Towards the end of
this chapter, we step beyond this minimal objective and introduce a broader
idea of democracy.
In the previous chapter, we have seen that democracy is the most
prevalent form of government in the world today and it is expanding to
more countries. But why is it so? What makes it better than other forms of
government? That is the second big question that we take up in this chapter.
22 D EMOCR
EMOCRAATI
TICC POLITI CS
LITICS
2.1 W HAT
HAT IS DEMOCR AC
EMOCRAC
ACYY?
In Chapter One we read many stories distinguishes these governments
from different parts of the world. from Pinochet’s rule in Chile,
Through these stories we discussed communist rule in Poland or the later
various governments and period of Nkrumah’s rule in Ghana?
organisations. We called some of What do these governments have in
these democracies. Others were common with the military rule in
described as non-democracies. Can Myanmar? Why do we say that these
you recall, for each of these countries, governments are not democratic?
something about the governments On the basis of this analysis, write
that were described as democracies? down some common features of:
Chile, before and after Pinochet’s Democratic governments
rule Non-democratic governments
Poland, after the fall of communist
rule W h y def ine democr
define democraa ccyy ?
Ghana, in the early period of Before we proceed further, let us
Nkrumah’s government first take note of an objection by
What do you think is common to Merry. She does not like this way
them? Why do we club them all under of defining democracy and wants
the label of democracy? What is it that to ask some basic questions.
W HAT
HAT IS DEMOCR AC
EMOCRAC
ACYY? WHY DEMOCR AC
EMOCRAC
ACYY? 23
Her teacher Matilda Lyngdoh not remain tied to its origin. Just think of comput-
responds to her questions, as other ers. Originally they were used for computing, that
classmates join the discussion: is to say calculating, very difficult mathematical
Merry: Ma’am, I don’t like this idea. First we sums. These were very powerful calculators. But
spend one whole chapter discussing democ- nowadays very few people use computers for
racies in different parts of the world and then computing sums. They use it for writing, for de-
we want to find out the meaning of democ- signing, for listening to music and for watching
racy. I mean logically shouldn’t we have ap- films. Words remain the same but their meaning
proached it the other way round? Shouldn’t the can change with time. In that case it is not very
meaning have come first and then the example? useful to look at the origins of a word.
Lyngdoh Madam: I can see your point. But that Merry: Ma’am, so basically what you are saying
is not how we reason in everyday life. We use is that there is no shortcut to our thinking about
words like pen, rain or love. Do we wait to have the matter ourselves. We have to think about
a definition of these words before we use its meaning and evolve a definition.
them? Come to think of it, do we have clear Lyngdoh Madam: You got me right. Let us get on
definition of these words? It is only by using a with it now.
word that we understand its meaning.
Merry: But then why do we need definitions at all?
Lyngdoh Madam: We need a definition only when
A C T I V I T Y
we come across a difficulty in the use of a word.
We need a definition of rain only when we wish Let us take Lyngdoh Madam seriously and try to
to distinguish it from, say, drizzle or cloudburst. write down the exact definition of some of the I have heard a
different version.
The same is true for democracy. We need a clear simple words that we use all the time: pen, rain
Democracy is off
definition only because people use it for differ- and love. For example, is there a way of defining
the people, far
ent purposes, because very different kinds of a pen that distinguishes it clearly from a pencil, a
(from) the people
governments call themselves democracy. brush, a chalk or crayon.
and (where they)
Ribiang: But why do we need to work on a defi- What have you learnt from this attempt?
buy the people.
nition? The other day you quoted Abraham Lin- What does it teach us about understanding the
Why don’t we
coln to us: “Democracy is government of the meaning of democracy? accept that?
people, by the people and for the people”. We in
Meghalaya always ruled ourselves. That is ac- A simple def inition
definition
cepted by everyone. Why do we need to change Let us get back to our discussion
that? on similarities and differences
Lyngdoh Madam: I am not saying we need to among governments that are called
change it. I too find this definition very beauti- democracies. In the previous chapter
ful. But we don’t know if this is the best way of we identified one simple factor
defining unless we think about it ourselves. We common to all democracies: the
must not accept something just because it is government is chosen by the people.
famous, just because everyone accepts it. We could thus start with a simple
Yolanda: Ma’am, can I suggest something? We definition: democracy is a form of
don’t need to look for any definition. I read some- government in which the rulers
where that the word democracy comes from a are elected by the people.
Greek word ‘Demokratia’. In Greek ‘demos’ This is a useful starting point. This
means people and ‘kratia’ means rule. So de- definition allows us to separate
mocracy is rule by the people. This is the cor- democracy from forms of government
rect meaning. Where is the need to debate? that are clearly not democratic. The
Lyngdoh Madam: That is also a very helpful way army rulers of Myanmar are not
of thinking about this matter. I would just say elected by the people. Those who
that this does not always work. A word does happen to be in control of the army
24 D EMOCR
EMOCRAATI
TICC POLITI CS
LITICS
become the rulers of the country. almost every government that holds an
People have no say in this decision. election a democracy. That would be
Dictators like Pinochet are not elected very misleading. As we shall find out
by the people. This also applies to in Chapter Four, every government in
monarchies. The kings of Nepal and contemporary world wants to be
Saudi Arabia rule not because the called a democracy, even if it is not
people have chosen them to do so but so. That is why we need to carefully
because they happen to be born into distinguish between a government
the royal family. that is a democracy and one that
This simple definition is not pretends to be one. We can do so by
adequate. It reminds us that understanding each word in this
democracy is people’s rule. But if we definition carefully and spelling out
use this definition in an unthinking the features of a democratic
manner, we would end up calling government.
Ribiang went back home and collected some more famous quotations on democracy. This time she did
not mention the names of the people who said or wrote these. She wants you to read these and comment
on how good or useful these thoughts are:
CHECK Democracy gives every man the right to be his own oppressor.
Democracy consists of choosing your dictators after they’ve told you what you think it is you want
YOUR to hear.
PROGRESS Man’s capacity for justice makes democracy possible, but man’s inclination to injustice makes
democracy necessary
Democracy is a device that insures we shall be governed no better than we deserve.
All the ills of democracy can be cured by more democracy.
read
the
cartoon
This cartoon was
drawn when elections
were held in Iraq with
the presence of US
©Stephane Peray, Thailand, Cagle Cartoons Inc.
W HAT
HAT IS DEMOCR AC
EMOCRAC
ACYY? WHY DEMOCR AC
EMOCRAC
ACYY? 25
2.2 FEATURES OF DEMOCR
EATURES AC
EMOCRAC
ACYY
We have started with a simple want in a democracy? Or must a
definition that democracy is a form democratic government function
of government in which the rulers with some limits? Is it necessary
are elected by the people. This for a democracy to respect some
raises many questions: rights of the citizens?
Who are the rulers in this Let us consider each of these
definition? Which officials must be questions with the help of some
elected for any government to be examples.
called a democracy? Which
decisions may be taken by non- M ajor de cisions bbyy ele
decisions elecc t e d
elected officials in a democracy? leaders
What kind of election constitutes In Pakistan, General Pervez
a democratic election? What Musharraf led a military coup in
conditions must be fulfilled for an October 1999. He overthrew a
election to be considered democratically elected government
democratic? and declared himself the ‘Chief
Who are the people who can elect Executive’ of the country. Later he
the rulers or get elected as rulers? changed his designation to President
Should this include every citizen on and in 2002 held a referendum in
an equal basis? Can a democracy the country that granted him a five-
deny some citizens this right? year extension. Pakistani media,
Finally, what kind of a form of human rights organisations and
government is democracy? Can democracy activists said that the
elected rulers do whatever they referendum was based on
read
the
cartoon
Syria is a small west
Asian country. The
ruling Ba’ath Party
and some of its small
©Emad Hajjaj, Jordan, Cagle Cartoons Inc.
26 D EMOCR
EMOCRAATI
TICC POLITI CS
LITICS
decisions. The power to take final
decision rests with army officials and
read with General Musharraf, and none
the of them are elected by the people.
W HAT
HAT IS DEMOCR AC
EMOCRAC
ACYY? WHY DEMOCR AC
EMOCRAC
ACYY? 27
party called PRI (Institutional
28 D EMOCR
EMOCRAATI
TICC POLITI CS
LITICS
read
the
cartoon
©John Trever, Albuquerque Journal, US, Cagle Cartoons Inc.
This cartoon is about
the Iraqi election held
after Saddam
Hussain’s regime was
overthrown. He is
shown behind the
bars. What is the
cartoonist saying
here? Compare the
message of this
cartoon with the first
cartoon in this
chapter.
W HAT
HAT IS DEMOCR AC
EMOCRAC
ACYY? WHY DEMOCR AC
EMOCRAC
ACYY? 29
©Eric Allie, Pioneer Press, US, Cagle Cartoons Inc.
judiciary whose orders are obeyed by S ummar
ummaryy def inition
definition
everyone. We shall read more about Let us sum up the discussion so far.
these rights in Chapter Six. We started with a simple definition
Similarly, there are some conditions that democracy is a form of
that apply to the way a government government in which the rulers are
is run after the elections. A elected by the people. We found that read
democratic government cannot do this definition was not adequate
whatever it likes, simply because it unless we explained some of the key the
has won an election. It has to respect words used in it. Through a series of cartoon
some basic rules. In particular it has examples we worked out four features
to respect some guarantees to the of democracy as a form of
minorities. Every major decision has government. Accordingly, democracy Chinese government
to go through a series of is a form of government in which: blocked free flow of
consultations. Every office bearer has Rulers elected by the people take information on the
certain rights and responsibilities all the major decisions; internet by placing
assigned by the constitution and the Elections offer a choice and fair restrictions on popular
law. Each of these is accountable not opportunity to the people to websites like ‘Google’
only to the people but also to other change the current rulers; and ‘Yahoo’. The
independent officials. We shall read This choice and opportunity is image of tanks and an
more about this in Chapter Five. available to all the people on an unarmed student
Both these aspects give us the equal basis; and reminds the reader of
fourth and final feature of democracy: The exercise of this choice leads another major event in
a democratic government rules to a government limited by basic recent Chinese
within limits set by constitutional rules of the constitution and history. Find out about
law and citizens’ rights. citizens’ rights. that event.
30 D EMOCR
EMOCRAATI
TICC POLITI CS
LITICS
Read these five examples of working or denial of democracy. Match each of these with the relevant
feature of democracy discussed above.
W HAT
HAT IS DEMOCR AC
EMOCRAC
ACYY? WHY DEMOCR AC
EMOCRAC
ACYY? 31
Madam Lyngdoh was listening to this government only ensures that
discussion with interest. Now she people take their own decisions. This
stepped in: “I was delighted to see you does not guarantee that their
all arguing so passionately. I don’t decisions will be good. People can This cartoon is from
know who is right and who is wrong. make mistakes. Involving the people Brazil, a country that
That is for you to settle. But I did feel in these decisions does lead has long experience
that you all wanted to speak your to delays in decision making. It of dictatorship. It is
mind. You may have felt very bad if is also true that democracy leads entitled “The Hidden
someone tried to stop you or if to frequent changes in leadership. Side of Dictatorship”.
someone punished you for saying Sometimes this can set back Which hidden sides
what you felt. Would you be able to big decisions and affect the does this cartoon
do that in a country that is not government’s efficiency. depict? Is it
democratic? Is that a good argument These arguments show that necessary for every
for democracy?” democracy of the kind we see may dictatorship to have a
not be the ideal form of government. hidden side? Find this
A rgumen
rgumentsts against But that is not a question we face in out about the
democr
democraa ccyy real life. The real question we face dictators discussed in
This conversation has most of the is different: is democracy better than the first chapter and,
arguments that we routinely hear other forms of government that are if possible, about Sani
against democracy. Let us go over there for us to choose from? Abacha in Nigeria and
some of these arguments: Ferdinand Marcos in
Leaders keep changing in a A rguments ffor
rguments or democr
democraa ccyy the Philippines.
democracy. This leads to instability. China’s famine of 1958-1961 was
Democracy is all about political the worst recorded famine in world
competition and power play. There history. Nearly three crore people read
is no scope for morality. died in this famine. During those
So many people have to be days, India’s economic condition the
consulted in a democracy that it was not much better than China. Yet
leads to delays. India did not have a famine of the
cartoon
Elected leaders do not know the kind China had. Economists think
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.
Are there some other arguments
against democracy that you can
think of? Which of these arguments
Cagle Cartoons Inc. 6 December 2004
32 D EMOCR
EMOCRAATI
TICC POLITI CS
LITICS
that this was a result of different This is related to the third
government policies in the two argument. Democracy provides a
countries. The existence of method to deal with differences
democracy in India made the Indian and conflicts. In any society people
government respond to food scarcity are bound to have differences of
in a way that the Chinese opinions and interests. These
government did not. They point out differences are particularly sharp in
that no large-scale famine has ever a country like ours which has an
taken place in an independent and amazing social diversity. People
democratic country. If China too had belong to different regions, speak
multiparty elections, an opposition different languages, practise
party and a press free to criticise the different religions and have different
government, then so many people castes. They look at the world very
may not have died in the famine. differently and have different
This example brings out one of the preferences. The preferences of one
reasons why democracy is considered group can clash with those of other
the best form of government. groups. How do we resolve such a
Democracy is better than any other conflict? The conflict can be solved
form of government in responding to by brutal power. Whichever group
the needs of the people. A non- is more powerful will dictate its
democratic government may and can terms and others will have to accept
respond to the people’s needs, but it that. But that would lead to
all depends on the wishes of the resentment and unhappiness.
people who rule. If the rulers don’t Different groups may not be able to
want to, they don’t have to act live together for long in such a way.
according to the wishes of the people. Democracy provides the only
A democracy requires that the rulers peaceful solution to this problem. In
have to attend to the needs of the democracy, no one is a permanent
people. A democratic government is winner. No one is a permanent loser.
a better government because it is a Different groups can live with one
more accountable form of another peacefully. In a diverse
government. country like India, democracy keeps
There is another reason why our country together.
democracy should lead to better These three arguments were about
decisions than any non-democratic the effects of democracy on the
government. Democracy is based on quality of government and social life.
consultation and discussion. A But the strongest argument for
democratic decision always involves democracy is not about what
many persons, discussions and democracy does to the government.
meetings. When a number of people It is about what democracy does to
put their heads together, they are the citizens. Even if democracy does
able to point out possible mistakes not bring about better decisions and
What would have in any decision. This takes time. But accountable government, it is still
happened if India there is a big advantage in taking better than other forms of
was not a time over important decisions. This government. Democracy enhances
democracy? reduces the chances of rash or the dignity of citizens. As we
Could we have irresponsible decisions. Thus discussed above, democracy is
stayed together as democracy improves the quality based on the principle of political
a single nation? of decision-making. equality, on recognising that the
W HAT
HAT IS DEMOCR AC
EMOCRAC
ACYY? WHY DEMOCR AC
EMOCRAC
ACYY? 33
poorest and the least educated has the rulers have to change their
the same status as the rich and the decisions, or the rulers can be
educated. People are not subjects of changed. This cannot happen in a
a ruler, they are the rulers non-democratic government. This cartoon was
themselves. Even when they make Let us sum it up. Democracy published in Canada
mistakes, they are responsible for cannot get us everything and is not just before its
their conduct. the solution to all problems. But it parliamentary
Finally, democracy is better than is clearly better than any other elections of 2004.
other forms of government because alternative that we know. It offers Everyone, including
it allows us to correct its own better chances of a good decision, it the cartoonist,
mistakes. As we saw above, there is is likely to respect people’s own expected the Liberal
no guarantee that mistakes cannot wishes and allows different kinds of party to win once
be made in democracy. No form of people to live together. Even when again. When the
government can guarantee that. The it fails to do some of these things, it results came, the
advantage in a democracy is that allows a way of correcting its Liberal Party lost the
such mistakes cannot be hidden for mistakes and offers more dignity to elections. Is this
long. There is a space for public all citizens. That is why democracy cartoon an argument
discussion on these mistakes. And is considered the best form of against democracy or
there is a room for correction. Either government. for democracy?
©Cam Cardow, The Ottawa Citizen, Canada, Cagle Cartoons Inc. 30 May 2004.
read
the
cartoon
Rajesh and Muzaffar read an article. It showed that no democracy has ever gone to war with another
democracy. Wars take place only when one of the two governments is non-democratic. The article
said that this was a great merit of democracy. After reading the essay, Rajesh and Muzaffar had
different reactions. Rajesh said that this was not a good argument for democracy. It was just a matter CHECK
of chance. It is possible that in future democracies may have wars. Muzaffar said that it could not be
a matter of chance. Democracies take decisions in such a way that it reduces the chances of war.
YOUR
Which of the two positions do you agree with and why? PROGRESS
34 D EMOCR
EMOCRAATI
TICC POLITI CS
LITICS
This famous cartoon 2.4 BROADER MEANINGS OF DEMOCRACY
by R K Laxman
comments on the In this chapter we have considered through their elected representatives.
celebrations of the the meaning of democracy in a This become necessary because:
limited and descriptive sense. We Modern democracies involve such
fifty years of
independence. How have understood democracy as a a large number of people that it is
many images on the form of government. This way of physically impossible for them to
wall do you recognize? defining democracy helps us to sit together and take a collective
Do many common identify a clear set of minimal decision.
features that a democracy must Even if they could, the citizen does
people feel the way the
common man in this have. The most common form that not have the time, the desire or the
cartoon does? democracy takes in our times is that skills to take part in all the
of a representative democracy. You decisions.
have already read about this in the This gives us a clear but minimal
previous classes. In the countries we understanding of democracy. This
read call democracy, all the people do not clarity helps us to distinguish
the rule. A majority is allowed to take democracies from non-democracies.
decisions on behalf of all the people. But it does not allow us to
cartoon Even the majority does not rule distinguish between a democracy
directly. The majority of people rule and a good democracy. It does not
W HAT
HAT IS DEMOCR AC
EMOCRAC
ACYY? WHY DEMOCR AC
EMOCRAC
ACYY? 35
allow us to see the operation of If we take these ideals seriously,
democracy beyond government. For then no country in the world is a
this we need to turn to broader democracy. Yet an understanding of
meanings of democracy. democracy as an ideal reminds us
Sometimes we use democracy for of why we value democracy. It
organisations other than the enables us to judge an existing
government. Just read these democracy and identify its In my village the
statements: weaknesses. It helps us to Gram Sabha never
“ We are a very democratic family. distinguish between a minimal meets. Is that
Whenever a decision has to be taken, democracy and a good democracy. democratic?
we all sit down and arrive at a In this book we do not deal much
consensus. My opinion matters as much with this expanded notion of
as my father’s.” democracy. Our focus here is with
“I don’t like teachers who do not allow some core institutional features of
students to speak and ask questions in democracy as a form of government.
the class. I would like to have teachers Next year you will read more about
with democratic temperament.” a democratic society and ways of
“One leader and his family members evaluating our democracy. At this
decide everything in this party. How can stage we just need to note that
they talk of democracy?” democracy can apply to many
These ways of using the word spheres of life and that democracy
democracy go back to its basic sense can take many forms. There can be
of a method of taking decisions. A various ways of taking decisions in
democratic decision involves a democratic manner, as long as the
consultation with and consent of all basic principle of consultation on an
those who are affected by that equal basis is accepted. The most
decision. Those who are not common form of democracy in
powerful have the same say in taking today’s world is rule through
the decision as those who are people’s elected representatives. We
powerful. This can apply to a shall read more about that in
government or a family or any other Chapter Four. But if the community
organisation. Thus democracy is is small, there can be other ways of
also a principle that can be applied taking democratic decisions. All the
to any sphere of life. people can sit together and take
Sometimes we use the word decisions directly. This is how Gram
democracy not to describe any Sabha should work in a village. Can
existing government but to set up you think of some other democratic
an ideal standard that all ways of decision making?
democracies must aim to become:
“ True democracy will come to this
country only when no one goes hungry
A C T I V I T Y
to bed.”
“In a democracy every citizen must be Find out the total number of eligible voters in your
able to play equal role in decision assembly constituency and your parliamentary
making. For this you don’t need just an constituency. Find out how many people can fit
equal right to vote. Every citizen needs into the largest stadium in your area. Is it possible
to have equal information, basic for all the voters in your parliamentary or assem-
education, equal resources and a lot of bly constituency to sit together and have a
commitment.” meaningful discussion?
36 D EMOCR
EMOCRAATI
TICC POLITI CS
LITICS
This also means that no country the weakness of democracy: the fate
is a perfect democracy. The features of the country depends not just on
of democracy that we discussed in what the rulers do, but mainly on
this chapter provide only the what we, as citizens, do.
minimum conditions of a This is what distinguished
democracy. That does not make it democracy from other governments.
an ideal democracy. Every Other forms of government like
democracy has to try to realise the monarchy, dictatorship or one-party
ideals of a democratic decision- rule do not require all citizens to take
making. This cannot be achieved part in politics. In fact most non-
once and for all. This requires a democratic governments would like
constant effort to save and citizens not to take part in politics.
strengthen democratic forms of But democracy depends on active
decision-making. What we do as political participation by all the
citizens can make a difference to citizens. That is why a study of
making our country more or less democracy must focus on
democratic. This is the strength and democratic politics.
W HAT
HAT IS DEMOCR AC
EMOCRAC
ACYY? WHY DEMOCR AC
EMOCRAC
ACYY? 37
exercises
4 Each of these statements contains a democratic and an undemocratic
element. Write out the two separately for each statement.
a A minister said that some laws have to be passed by the parliament
in order to conform to the regulations decided by the World Trade
Organisation (WTO).
b The Election Commission ordered re-polling in a constituency
where large-scale rigging was reported.
c Women’s representation in the parliament has barely reached 10
per cent. This led women’s organisations to demand one-third seats
for women.
5 Which of these is not a valid reason for arguing that there is a lesser
possibility of famine in a democratic country?
a Opposition parties can draw attention to hunger and starvation.
b Free press can report suffering from famine in different parts of
the country.
c Government fears its defeat in the next elections.
d People are free to believe in and practise any religion.
9 Consider the following facts about a country and decide if you would
call it a democracy. Give reasons to support your decision.
38 D EMOCR
EMOCRAATI
TICC POLITI CS
LITICS
exercises a All the citizens of the country have right to vote. Elections are held
regularly.
b The country took loan from international agencies. One of the
conditions for giving loan was that the government would reduce
its expenses on education and health.
c People speak more than seven languages but education is available
only in one language, the language spoken by 52 percent people
of that country.
d Several organisations have given a call for peaceful demonstrations
and nation wide strikes in the country to oppose these policies.
Government has arrested these leaders.
e The government owns the radio and television in the country. All
the newspapers have to get permission from the government to
publish any news about government’s policies and protests.
W HAT
HAT IS DEMOCR AC
EMOCRAC
ACYY? WHY DEMOCR AC
EMOCRAC
ACYY? 39