What Is Democracy? Why Democracy?

Definition of Democracy
Democracy is a form of government in which the rulers are elected by the people. A key aspect of democracy is
that the government is chosen by the people through free and fair elections.

This form of government ensures that the power lies with the people, and they have a say in the governance of
their country.

In contrast, in non-democratic governments, rulers are not elected by the people. For instance, in Myanmar, the
rulers were not elected by the people but took over through military power. Similarly, dictators like Pinochet in
Chile were not elected by the people, and monarchies also fall under non-democratic systems.

Features of Democracy
The simple definition of democracy leads to several important questions, which help in understanding its
features:

Who are the rulers in a democracy?

 In a democracy, the rulers are elected representatives of the people. These representatives make
decisions on behalf of the citizens and are accountable to them.
What kind of election constitutes a democratic election?

 A democratic election is one that is free, fair, and competitive. Every eligible citizen has the right to
vote without any discrimination, and the process is transparent and impartial.
Who are the people who can elect the rulers or get elected as rulers?

 In a democracy, all adult citizens typically have the right to vote and stand for elections. This
inclusivity ensures that everyone has an equal opportunity to participate in the political process.
 What form of governmDemocracy can take various forms, such as direct democracy, where people
directly participate in decision-making, and representative democracy, where elected officials
represent the people. The common thread is that in all forms of democracy, the ultimate power rests
with the people.
Major Decisions by Elected Leaders
In a democracy, major decisions must be made by leaders who are elected by the people. However, this
principle is not followed in some countries. For example, in Pakistan, General Pervez Musharraf led a military
coup in October 1999, overthrowing the democratically elected government. He then declared himself
President. In 2002, Musharraf held a referendum granting himself a five-year extension.

Although elections were held for national and provincial assemblies, and elected representatives were given
some powers, the ultimate authority remained with the military and General Musharraf.

This indicates that Pakistan was not truly a democratic country under Musharraf’s rule. Similarly, in many
dictatorships and monarchies, power is not vested in elected leaders. Therefore, for a country to be considered
democratic, the final decision-making power must lie with those elected by the people.

Free and Fair Electoral Competition

For a democracy to function properly, it must have free and fair elections where those in power have a genuine
chance of losing. In China, elections are held every five years to elect the National People’s Congress. However,
candidates need approval from the Chinese Communist Party before they can contest, and the government is
always formed by the Communist Party. This process does not allow for true electoral competition.

Similarly, in Mexico, elections have been held every six years since its independence in 1930 to elect the
President. However, until 2000, every election was won by the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). This
indicates that the elections were not genuinely competitive.
From these examples, it is clear that for an election to be democratic, it must be based on a free and fair
competition where the ruling party or leader has a real possibility of being voted out of power.

One Person, One Vote, One Value

Democracy fundamentally rests on the principle of political equality, ensuring that every adult citizen has the
right to one vote and each vote carries equal weight. However, this principle is not always upheld in practice.
Until 2015, Saudi Arabia did not allow women to vote, denying them equal political rights. In Estonia, citizenship
rules marginalized the Russian minority, making it challenging for them to exercise their voting rights.

Fiji’s electoral system favors indigenous Fijians over Indian-Fijians, undermining the principle of equality in
voting. These examples illustrate that in a democracy, every citizen should have an equal opportunity to vote,
and each vote should count equally.

Rule of Law and Respect for Rights

Zimbabwe gained independence from White minority rule in 1980, and since then, the country has been
governed by the ZANU-PF party led by Robert Mugabe. Despite regular elections, ZANU-PF consistently won,
often through unfair practices. Laws restricted criticism of the President, and government-controlled media only
presented the ruling party’s perspective. Independent journalists faced harassment for dissenting views. These
actions undermine democracy, which requires governments to operate within constitutional limits and respect
citizens’ rights.

Why Democracy?
Cons of Democracy

Despite its merits, democracy faces criticisms that challenge its effectiveness as a form of governance:

1. Instability: Frequent changes in leadership can lead to political instability, impacting long-term
planning and governance continuity.
2. Political Competition: Democracy often prioritizes political competition over moral principles,
potentially compromising ethical standards in governance.
3. Delays in Decision-Making: The need for consultation with various stakeholders can delay decision-
making processes, especially in urgent matters.
4. Poor Decision-Making: Elected leaders may not always make decisions in the best interest of the
people, resulting in policies that do not address societal needs effectively.
5. Corruption: Competitive electoral processes can breed corruption as politicians vie for power and
resources to win elections.
6. Public Decision-Making: Critics argue that ordinary citizens may lack the expertise to make
informed decisions on complex issues, suggesting that governance should be left to experts.

Arguments in Favour of Democracy

However, democracy offers several compelling reasons why it is considered a preferable form of government:

1. Accountability: Democratic governments are more accountable to their citizens. For instance, during
the famines in India and China in the late 1950s and early 1960s, India responded better to food
scarcity due to its democratic accountability compared to China.
2. Quality of Decision-Making: Democracy values consultation and debate, resulting in decisions that
are more thoroughly scrutinized and debated. This deliberative process reduces the likelihood of hasty
or ill-considered decisions.
3. Conflict Resolution: In diverse societies like India, democracy provides a peaceful mechanism to
manage conflicts and differences of opinion. It ensures that no single group dominates others
permanently, fostering social harmony.
4.
1. Enhanced Citizen Dignity: Democracy upholds political equality, affirming the dignity of all citizens
regardless of their social or economic status. It ensures that everyone has an equal say in shaping the
future of their country.
 2. Self-Correction: Democracy allows for public scrutiny of governmental decisions and policies.
Mistakes are openly discussed, and corrective measures can be implemented through democratic
processes such as elections.
Broader Meanings of Democracy
In this chapter, democracy is explored beyond its basic governmental definition. Students learn that democracy
is not just a political system but a set of principles that shape governance and societal interactions. The
primary form of democracy found in most countries today is representative democracy, where elected
representatives make decisions on behalf of the people. This form is necessitated by:

1. Scale and Complexity: Modern societies involve large populations and complex issues, making
direct participation of every citizen impractical.
2. Time and Expertise: Citizens may lack the time, interest, or expertise to engage in every decision-
making process directly.
Application Beyond Government
Democracy can extend beyond political institutions to other areas of life. For instance:

 Community Decision-Making: In smaller communities, direct democracy can be feasible, where all
members participate in decision-making directly. This model is exemplified by the Gram Sabha in
Indian villages.
Understanding democracy as an ideal allows people to evaluate and improve existing democratic systems. It
emphasizes the importance of citizen participation, accountability, and fairness in governance and community
life. Thus, while representative democracy is prevalent globally, alternative democratic models exist depending
on scale and context.