WHY DEMOCRACY IS REGARDED AS A BETTER FORM OF GOVERNMENT IN COMPARISON TO DICTATORSHIP OR MONARCHY????
The term Democracy is derived from the Greek word DEMOS( MEANS PEOPLE) and KRATOS (MEANS RULE). Thus, democracy refers rule of people. Common individual directly or indirectly choose their representatives who further form government by contesting elections and getting majority of votes.
Democracy in comparison to other forms are always considered a best option because of the following reasons-
1. Promotes equality among citizens.
2. Enhances the dignity of the individual.
3. Improves the quality of decision making.
4. Provides a method to resolve conflicts.
5. Allows to correct mistakes.
6. It is a legitimate government.
7. It is people' s own government.
8. Democracy makes government more accountable and responsive.
WHAT DO WE EXPECT FROM DEMOCRACY??
There are some things that democracy must provide, such as-
1. People should have the right to choose their rulers as well as control them.
2. People should be involved in decision making wherever possible.
3. Accountability of the government to the citizens is a primary factor in a democracy.
4. To maintain a balance between deliberation, negotiation and ensure efficiency.
5. A democratic government will take more time to follow procedures before arriving at a decision. But because it has followed procedures, its decisions may be both more acceptable to the people and more effective.
6. Democracy must produce a government that follows procedures and is accountable to the people. This is ensured if there is transparency.
7. Democracy must be a government that is attentive to the needs and demands of the people and is largely free of corruption. However, it does not fair very well on these two fronts.
There is one respect in which democratic government is certainly better than its alternatives: democratic government is legitimate government. It may be slow, less efficient, not always very responsive or clean.
But a democratic government is people’s own government. That is why there is an overwhelming support for the idea of democracy all over the world.
How does democracy produce an accountable, responsive and legitimate government?
Answer.
The very essence of democracy is ensuring all the above. The government can be made accountable by framing and developing various laws and policies in which citizens can hold the government responsible if any of those policies and laws are not implemented or act against the welfare of the citizens. People can start taking action when the government becomes insensitive about their aspirations, thus ensuring government’s responsibility. Tools like public protests, awareness campaigns and organized rallies etc. can be used to mete out their voice. And, a democratic government is a legitimate government, as it is elected by citizens and enjoys their confidence and trust. This is enabled through free and fair elections.
DEMOCRACY vs ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
If we consider all democracies and all dictatorships for the fifty years between 1950 and 2000, dictatorships have slightly higher rate of economic growth.
Economic development depends on several factors:
1. country’s population size,
2. global situation,
3. cooperation from other countries,
4. economic priorities adopted by the country, etc.
However, the difference in the rates of economic development between less developed countries with dictatorships and democracies is negligible. Overall, we cannot say that democracy is a guarantee of economic development. But we can expect democracy not to lag behind dictatorship on this front.
WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE OUTCOMES OF DEMOCRACY,?
1. Political equality
2. Accommodation of social diversity
3. It ensures dignity of individual
4. it provides freedom
DEMOCRACY vs INEQUALITY AND POVERTY-
It is reasonable to expect democracies to reduce economic disparities. Democracies are based on political equality. Parallel to the process of bringing individuals into the political arena on an equal footing, we find growing economic inequalities.
In actual life, democracies do not appear to be very successful in reducing economic inequalities. Democracies like India and Bangladesh are examples of glaring inequality and although promises are made to the poor, much remains undone to bridge the heightening gap between the rich and the poor.
DEMOCRACY vs SOCIAL DIVERSITY-
No society can fully and permanently resolve conflicts among different groups. However, we can learn to respect these differences and we can evolve mechanisms to negotiate the differences.
But democracy must fulfil 2 conditions in order to achieve this outcome:
1. The majority always needs to work with the minority so that governments function to represent the general view.
2. Rule by majority means that in case of every decision or in case of every election, different persons and groups may and can form a majority.
2. What are the conditions under which democracies accommodate social diversities?
ANSWER-
Social diversities can be accommodated by focusing on all the communities of the society. The majority and minority communities should be given equal attention. Democracy is to avoid the tyranny of the majority. In democratic countries, both the majority and minority work together to achieve progress and development of the nation. It is equally important to understand that the rule of the majority is not expressed in terms of religion or languages. All groups should be equally represented and should have similar rights despite being differently numbered.
DEMOCRACY vs DIGNITY AND FREEDOMOF THE CITIZENS-
Democracy stands much superior to any other form of government in promoting the dignity and freedom of the individual. The passion for respect and freedom are the basis of democracy. Let’s take the case of the dignity of women. The long struggles by women have created some sensitivity that respect and equal treatment of women are necessary ingredients of a democratic society. The same is true of caste inequalities. Democracy in India has strengthened the claims of the disadvantaged and discriminated castes for equal status and equal opportunity.
Most individuals today believe that their vote makes a difference to the way the government is run and to their own self-interest. Democratic examination never gets over. As it passes one test, it produces another test. As people get some benefits of democracy, they ask for more and want to make democracy even better. The fact that people are complaining is itself a testimony to the success of democracy.
MENTION THE STEPS TAKEN TO REDUCE THE EFFECTS OF CASTEISM IN DEMOCRACY?
In India, democracy has strengthened the claims of the disadvantage and discriminate castes for equal status and opportunity.
Reservation in jobs and in educational institutions.
Constitutional provisions for safeguarding the interest of minorities and weaker sections and backward classes.
It is the recognition that makes ordinary citizen value their democratic rights.
at the modern era, we can say that the success of democracy seeks more and more expectations as well as complains form people which indirectly indicates that people are participating.. now people are being awaken towards their leaders and keep a watch on their every actions.
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