CBSE Class 9 Social Science What is Democracy Why Democracy Notes Set 03

Definition of Democracy

Democracy is a form of government in which the rulers are elected by the people. The one factor common to all democracies is that the government is chosen by the people. Non-democratic governments are different: in Myanmar, for example, the army took over and people had no say, and dictators such as Pinochet of Chile were not elected. Monarchies are also not democracies in this sense.

Features of Democracy

The simple definition raises four questions: who the rulers are, what kind of election counts as democratic, who can vote and stand for election, and what form of government a democracy is. The answers give four features of a democracy:

1. Rulers elected by the people take the major decisions. In Pakistan, General Pervez Musharraf overthrew an elected government in October 1999 and remained the country's most powerful figure. Even after the 2002 elections, final power rested with the military and with him, so it was not a democracy.

2. Elections offer a free and fair competition, in which those in power have a fair chance of losing. In China, elections are held every five years, but a candidate needs the approval of the Communist Party, and the government is always formed by that party. In Mexico, the PRI won every election until 2000, so those elections did not show a fair chance of change.

3. Every adult citizen has one vote, and each vote has one value. Until 2015, women in Saudi Arabia could not vote. In Fiji, the vote of an indigenous Fijian had more value than that of an Indian-Fijian. Estonia's citizenship rules made it hard for people of the Russian minority to get the vote.

4. Democratic government works within the limits of the constitution and citizens' rights. In Zimbabwe, the ruling party won every election, a law limited criticism of the President, the state controlled radio and television, and journalists were harassed.

Arguments Against Democracy

Critics say that leaders keep changing, which causes instability; that democracy is only a contest for power and leaves no room for morality; that consulting many people causes delay; that elected leaders may not know the best interests of the people; that electoral competition breeds corruption; and that ordinary people do not know what is good for them.

Arguments in Favour of Democracy

A democracy is more accountable. During the famines of 1958–61, China was hit badly, while India, despite its weaker economy, responded to the food scarcity in a way the Chinese government did not. Democracy responds better to people's needs.

Democracy improves decision-making. Decisions are made through consultation and discussion, so mistakes are more likely to be spotted. The process may take time, but that reduces the chance of rash decisions.

Democracy provides a peaceful way to handle differences. India has great social diversity in regions, languages, religions and castes. In a democracy, no group is a permanent winner or loser, so different groups can live together peacefully.

Democracy enhances the dignity of citizens. It is based on political equality, so the poorest and least educated have the same status as the rich and educated.

Democracy lets us correct our mistakes. Mistakes cannot be hidden for long, there is space for public debate, and rulers must change their decisions or can be replaced.

Democracy may not solve every problem, but it is better than the alternatives.

Broader Meanings of Democracy

Most modern democracies are representative democracies. Large numbers of people cannot sit together to take every decision, and citizens do not have the time or skills to take part in all of them. So a majority decides through elected representatives. Democracy can also apply beyond government, to any sphere of life. Strictly, no country is fully democratic in the ideal sense, but the ideal helps people judge existing democracies, see their weaknesses, and tell a minimal democracy from a good one. In a small community, decisions can be taken directly, as the Gram Sabha does in a village.

Quick Check