Chapter 1

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 electionsThis 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 system

 a democracy, the rulers are elected representatives of the people. These

representatives make decisions on behalf of the citizens and are accountable
to them.
 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.
 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.
 Democracy 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.

In summary, democracy is a form of government where:

 Elected leaders make significant decisions on behalf of the people.

  Elections provide a fair opportunity for citizens to choose and
change their leaders.
 Every adult citizen has an equal right to participate in elections.
 The exercise of this right ensures that governments operate under
the rule of law and uphold citizens’ rights as outlined in the
constitution.
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. 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.
5. 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.
Beyond government, democracy as an ideal sets a standard that all
democracies strive to achieve. No existing government perfectly
embodies these ideals, but understanding them helps assess and improve
democracies. It distinguishes between minimal democracies and robust,
effective ones.

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.