Introduction:

The word 'democracy is derived from two Greek words, "demos" which means 'the people' and
"kratos" which means the rule' so, originally and really, democracy means the rule of the
people.
As a form of government, it means the rule of the many, and as a form of representative
government, it means the rule of the majority.

Definition:
Democracy is defined by the various writers.
Seeley defined it as "a government in which everyone has a share”.
Dicey defines it as “a form of government in which the governing body is a comparatively
large fraction of the entire nation."
Bryce says, that “the ruling power in the community belongs to the majority, which is the only
way of determining the will of the community”.
Aristotle who disliked democracy and defined it as the “rule of the mob, and condemned it”
Abraham Lincoln said that “democracy is the Government of the people, by the people and
for the people”.

Rise of Democracy:
Modern democracy is a product of three historical developments that is English parliamentary
system, the great French Revolution of 1789 with its slogans of "sovereignty of the people, and
of liberty, equality and fraternity, and the Industrial Revolution which began first in England
and then spread over to Europe during the nineteenth century.
In other words, modern indirect form of democracy came into being during the nineteenth
century and spread almost over the whole world during the twentieth century. However, after
the World War II, it became so popular after World War II.

Kinds of Democracy:
There are two kinds of democracy.
1. Direct or Pure Democracy.
When the people can directly express their will on public matters in a mass assembly rather
than through their representatives, it is called direct or pure democracy.
Direct democracy can exist in States which are small in area and population. It is then
physically possible for the people to gather in a mass meeting to make laws, decide policies,
elect public officials and settle other problems of the State.
In modern times we have some relics of direct democracy in the small cantons of Switzerland.

2. Indirect or Representative Democracy.

When the will of the people is formulated and expressed through a small body of persons
elected by the people as their representatives to make laws and govern the country, it is called
an indirect or representative democracy.

It is the modern form of democracy and has evolved in Western Europe during the last two
centuries. Like direct democracy, representative democracy also accepts the sovereignty of the
people.

Characteristics/ Features of Democracy:

In view of the various meanings of democracy, following are the characteristics of democracy.

1. Equality before Law

Democracy find the equality of all citizens before law, whether rich or poor, officials or private
citizens. This equality should not only be enjoyed in theory but in fact also.

2. Free Expression of Opinion and Opposition

Democracy is based on free discussion. It recognizes and welcomes differences of opinion.

Indeed, one of its chief characteristics is to provide the machinery for the free expression of
differences of opinion.

Before a law is made, the opinion of those who would be-most-adversely affected by it must
be heard. In short, democracy does not believe in the suppression or control of opinion but in
its free expression.

3. Right to Change the Government

In a true democracy, the people should have the right to discuss criticize and change the
government. Free expression of opinion and discussion implies the right to change the
government when the opinion of the people has changed. Democracy accepts the existence of
contrasting policies. It exists where alternative leadership is possible. If the government cannot
be changed, it becomes a dictatorship and not a democracy.

4. Rights of the Individual are Assured and Protected

In a democracy the State grants and protects rights of all citizens both against other citizens as
well as against government. Equality of rights is essential to democracy. Every citizen has equal
rights, especially political rights. With the right to vote, he has also equal right to contribute
freely to the making of public opinion by speech or writing, in public meetings and press, by
forming parties, associations and groups, without any hindrance or regulation.

5. Opportunities for the Common People

Democracy provides all opportunities for the common men or the ordinary citizen. It offers the
fullest educational possibilities to the people. It enables them to enter the profession of his own
choice. It also protects life and property of people and provides them the fullest opportunities
for development of their personality.

6. Freedom from Tenor

One of the essential features of democracy is the freedom from fear of those who wield power,
whether political or of wealth. Common of citizens should fear neither police nor men of
privilege nor men of wealth.

De Merits of Democracy:
1. It is Impracticable.

The very first attack on democracy is that it is impracticable and impossible as a form of
government. According to Oswald Spangler, government by the people is a sheer
impossibility, because average man possesses little reason and stills lesser understanding of
politics and interest in public affairs.
The little men are not interested in big problems of their State or society. Hence democracy is
merely an impracticable ideal which can never be a reality.

2. It is the Rule of Ignorance.

Another ancient attack on democracy is that it is a cult of ignorant masses, and a cult of
incompetence.
The basis of these charges is the fact that the masses are uneducated and illiterate. They are too
ignorant to understand the questions of politics and government. They are even uninterested
and indifferent to them. They can, however, be influenced by passions and prejudices. Yet they
possess the right to vote, which they cast due to lack of intelligence, in favor of candidates who
know how to catch votes by emotional appeal or other crafty tricks. But a. government chosen
by such people must necessarily be inefficient and incompetent. Even the elected
representatives are not qualified to rule.

3. It is based on False Principles.

Democracy is based on principle of territorial representation. Representatives are elected on
the basis of locality of place where the voters live and not on the basis of their professions,
social functions or interests.
Yet another defect of modern democracy is the rule of the majority. It said that democracy is
the rule of the number we do not weigh heads but count them. The majority wins in an election,
even though it is opposed by a minority of wise, patriotic and farsighted men. Democracy looks
to quantity rather than quality.
No consideration is given to knowledge and worth of the voters. Everything is decided by the
simple addition of votes. Votes are counted, not weighed.

4. Democracy suffers from the unhealthy and Corrupting influence of Political

Parties.
Political parties employ all means, fair or foul, to defeat their rivals and capture political power.
At election time, they mercilessly butcher truth and shamelessly proclaim falsehood. The
people are misled and bamboozled by false propaganda. They even use open or disguised
bribery and intimidation to win elections. Party bosses dominate politics, and sacrifice national
interests at the altar of party interests.

5. Democracies are Weak in times of War and Crises.

Experience of the two World Wars and the rise of dictatorships in Europe have shown that the
Western democracies are slow in planning and weak in action during war and other national
crises. This is due to the fact that democratic processes are slow and democratic decision is
made after discussion and consultation. Lord Baldwin remarked that "democracy is always two
years behind the dictatorship.
Merits of Democracy:
1. It stands for the Welfare of the People.

Democracy is the government of the people for their own welfare and happiness, because it has
tremendous reserves of popular energy. J.S Mill, one of its great advocates, has pointed out two
reasons why democracy is superior to all other forms of government in promoting the welfare
of the nation. Firstly, democracy alone enables the individual to "stand up for his rights and
interests, and secondly, it alone attains a high degree of general prosperity because it enlists the
personal energies of the people for promoting and spreading it.

2. It is based on Equality.
Democracy is based on political equality, that is, everyone is fit to participate in the business
of governing his country. It rejects the aristocratic belief that some persons are born to rule and
others to be ruled.

3. It upholds Liberty.

Democracy is based on political liberty, because it exists only when every citizen has the right
to vote, to hold public office, criticize the government and enjoy other rights. Democracy
encourages the people to enjoy liberty and freedom of thought, speech and association.

4. It is an efficient form of Government.

The advocates of democracy refuse the charges of inefficiency and incompetence on the basis
of its elective and responsible nature. They assert that popular election, popular control and
popular responsibility ensure a greater degree of efficiency than any other system of
government. They justify their claim of efficiency on the plea that as the people themselves
elect their rulers, they get a better kind of government and better laws because they conform to
the wishes and opinions of the people.

5. It ensures Stable Government.

Due to popular participation, popular control and responsibility. Democracy is a far more stable
form of government than any other. The people know that the government is their government,
elected by them and responsible to them. They take pride in it and are ready to defend it in
times of danger or crisis. It enjoys popular support. It is based on the consent of people.

Conclusion