Democracy is a popular political setup in which people make a choice of their representatives and these representatives ensure legitimate control over the people of their constituencies. Democracy is described as an institution that finds its origin in French Revolution which was guided by the rule of law, division of power and a protest to monarchy rule. Democracy has been helpful in increasing political participation, distributive justice, enhanced values of equality, brotherhood and inclusion. After the completion of two world wars, a number of countries achieved freedom and followed democracy as it goes a long way in preventing concentration of power and offers required political stability, social inclusiveness and economic development. After two centuries of imperialism, India made a clear choice of democracy with an aim to promote social, economic and political freedom and justice along with universal adult franchise etc.
However, for decades since the rise of democratic ideology, a number of questions have been put forth that concern the impeccability and infallibility of democracy. It is under stress due to elevated intervention by state in questions relating to individuals’ private affairs, increased corruption in public life, heightened rift between political executive and common people, illegitimate land acquisitions under the garb of development, amplified evils of society, lack of proper attention towards the minority and marginalised sections, suppressing freedom of speech and expression, clandestine approach of the government, police apathy towards the common people etc. It has been maintained that internal colonialism replaces external colonialism.
The increasing intolerance and hatred towards the ills of democracy get the shape of revolution and social movements. Both are meant to mobilise the citizens with former possibly being armed rebellion or military coup or use of force while latter is usually a peaceful protest and positive criticism of the government by means of petitions, organisation of pressure groups in a non-violent manner etc.
The rise of intolerance among the common masses must not lead to revolution which is usually not considered good for democracy and is described as mobocracy. Some of the instances of revolutions such as naxalism can never expect to establish a new social order. It can only cause chaos, spread extremism, encourage factionalism and lead to an instability in the political system of the country. The recent coups in African nations are testimonies to the fact that most of revolutionary movements do not pay any heed to public concern and existing system of government without offering any feasible alternative. The revolutions are characterised by bloodshed and use of armaments. The likes of Arab Spring and the fight between Syrian and Rebellions in most recent times tell the real story. Revolution has caused gross barbarity, killings, abductions, sexual assaults etc. and despite all that the purpose remains unclear. Now the global community also has made a mention of an internal process.
Besides, social movements have contributed a lot to the history of transition. As an organisation, the Congress party started its work by bringing social revolution in India. The momentum of such revolution was generated by various exponents of socio religious movements who can be listed prominently as Ishawar Chand Vidya Sagar, Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Jyotiba Phule, etc. The peaceful social mobilisation was also supported by Mahatma Gandhi on a mass scale. This ultimately brought about the independence of India, however, the role of a strong support from revolutionaries and social movements cannot be ignored completely in creating a national base for raising the voice against the imperialism. Similar instances of protests can be seen by different traders, merchants during American war of independence which ultimately forced Britain to withdraw heavy taxes on export of American goods. Mass social movements offer direct participation of people in democracy which offers some kind of direct powers to people and helps bring in positive change in the existing system. They would result in giving rights to collective groups of people instead of just an individual. Organising groups of people around single issues would result in direct influence on power.
The recent example of such movement is the protest against corruption by civil society organisation. Some of the global examples include Occupy Wall Street movement, movement for legalising LGBT. In Indian context, social movements led by various organisations namely PUCL for transparency in the appointments of government, fixing accountability of the political executives have created the right ground for keeping a watch on the ills of democracy. Social movements have also been led by people for the emancipation of women, giving them legal rights, raising their voices on political platform. Social movements have been helpful in putting pressure on the government to enact specific laws to ensure higher efficiency and transparency. There has been a rise in the social movements because of people becoming more educated and assertive who are aspiring for better societies for the common good. Social movements help remove the gap between individual interest and collective prosperity while revolutions have caused second and third wave of movement in Middle East countries like Yemen etc.
Therefore, it can be concluded that social movements are the hallmark to bring about social change and revolution ensures the growth of an anomic society with an unstable political setup with elevated vulnerability. On the other hand, Social movements through the mouth of NGOs and other organisations have brought about change in the course of existing world order. They have spread to almost every part of the society for addressing people concerns and bring in change in the normal discourse.