The question of whether
democracy is the best form of government encompasses both Philosophy and
Politics in its span of enquiry.
Philosophy concerns itself
with which form of government is theoretically justifiable, whereas the
political approach considers whether democracy is viable in practice. Although
there is overlap between these approaches, either area of study seems to come to
a different conclusion.
Investigating whether
democracy is the best form of government from a philosophical point of view
reveals that democracy is theoretically superior to other forms of government
because it is in line with human dignity.
In reality, however,
democracy is slightly more problematic, because it can be difficult for leaders
to satisfy an entire population, which is a goal that a totalitarian
government, for example, doesn’t set out to fulfil.
Overall, democracy is the
best form of government, because it is morally the most justifiable, although
democratic governments today can be improved.
In theory, democracy is a
system that places power in the hands of the citizens in order to ensure
governing that is in favour of the people. The citizenry is given the
opportunity to choose who rules over them, and often each vote counts equally.
This provides the people
with both liberty and equality, which are highly regarded values.
No other form of government
offers both these values (dictatorship (benevolent or not) removes individual
liberty and oligarchic forms of government disregard equality), which is one
reason why democracy is the best form of government.
What
is Democracy?
Democracy is a form of government in
which the people have
the authority to choose their governing legislation.
Who people are and how authority is shared among them are core issues for
democratic theory, development and constitution.
Generally,
the two types of democracy are direct and representative. In a direct
democracy, the people directly deliberate and decide on legislation.
In a representative democracy, the people elect representatives to deliberate
and decide on legislation, such as
in parliamentary or presidential democracy.
Significance
of Democracy:
Democracy is very important for human development. When people have free will to live
freely, they will be happier. Moreover, we have seen how other forms of
government have turned out to be. Citizens are not that happy and prosperous in
a monarchy or anarchy.
Furthermore, democracy lets people have equal
rights. This ensures that equality prevails all over the country. Subsequently,
it also gives them duties. These duties make them better citizens and are also
important for their overall development.
Most importantly, in a democracy, the people
form the government. So, this selection of the government by the citizens gives
everyone a chance to work for their country. It allows the law to prevail
efficiently as the rules are made by people whom they have selected.
In addition, democracy allows people of
various religions and cultures to exist peacefully. It makes them live in
harmony with one another. People of democracy are more tolerant and accepting
of each other’s differences. This is very important for any country to be happy
and prosper.
India - A Democratic
Country:
India is known to be the largest democracy
all over the world. After the rule of the British ended in 1947,
India adopted democracy. In India, all the citizens who are above the age of 18
get the right to vote. It does not discriminate on the basis of caste, creed,
gender, colour, or more.
Further, it follows five principles of
democracy. They are secular, sovereign, republic,
socialist, and democratic. All of these maintain the democracy of India.
Following these principles, political parties contest for elections and the won
with the majority of votes, wins.
However, the citizens of India do not vote in
abundance. There are steps being taken to encourage voting for a better future.
Although
India is the largest democracy it still has a long way to go. The country faces
a lot of problems which do not let it efficiently function as a democracy. The
caste system is still prevalent which hampers with the socialist principle of
democracy.
Moreover,
communalism is also on the rise. This interferes with the secular aspect of the
country. All these differences need to be set aside to ensure the happiness and
prosperity of the citizens.
Conditions necessary for the success of Democracy:
1.
Education:
A proper education is a must for the success
of democracy. The sentinel of democracy is an educated and enlightened public
opinion. Wide dissemination of knowledge and universalization of education is
the pillar of democracy.
According to Dr Rajendra
Prasad:
“Education is a power by itself and in any
case a person bereft of it cannot have any chance of either realising himself
to the full or making any effective or worthwhile impression on the policies
and actions of the government of his country and region.”
2.
Decentralisation of Political Powers:
Democracy functions
effectively if there is a hierarchy of powers from the centre to the village
unit. This kind of elaborate system of local self-government will train the
people in the art and science of the government.
Thus more power should be
decentralised into the Panchayats and civic bodies. This type of
democratisation of the institutions will minimise the scope of anybody to
misuse the mechanism of the government.
3.
Civic Sense:
In a democracy the maximum
participation of the citizenry is assured. There is a corresponding civic
responsibility from the side of the citizens. The citizens should have high
sense of moral rectitude. If the citizens idle away their responsibility, there
is an end to democracy.
So Mrs. Indira Gandhi
rightly said – “Democracy is the best form of government, but it is certainly
the most difficult”.
4.
Spirit of Tolerance:
Democracy is a government of the majority.
What should be the attitude of the majority towards the minority? It should be
one of sympathy and tolerance.
A religious and linguistic majority must not
disrespect the similar sentiments of the minority. The majority must hear the
view-point of the other people.
According to Mahatma Gandhi:
“Evolution of democracy is not possible, if
we are not prepared to hear the other side. We shut the doors of reasons when
we refuse to listen to our opponents, or having listened, make fun of them. If
intolerance becomes a habit, we run the risk of missing the truth.”
5.
Democracy is a myth without
Economic Equality:
It implies that there must be an economic
democracy for the success of political democracy.
If money is allowed to be accumulated in the
hands of the rich few, how can the poor effectively exercise their democratic
rights? It is said that in England the Bank of England rules and the USA has a
dollar democracy.
This economic inequality eats out the vitals
of democracy. If there is a right to work, a right to minimum wages and if the
industries and big businesses are taken over and run by the government,
democracy stands on a better footing.
Hindrances (Obstacles)
of Democracy:
The hindrances are plaguing
the growth and healthy functioning of democracy in India. These are by and
large religious evils associated with ignorance and superstitions.
Even after forty-five years of independence,
the Sati, child sacrifice, congregation of millions to wash their sins in the
Ganga, and religious rivalry are very much in evidence.
Whenever a Hindi film
heroine is in difficulty, she goes to a temple to pray and immediately God
showers blessings on her! Such blind faith has stifled the spirit of enquiry
and lulled us into inaction. We build more temples, mosques and gurdwaras than
schools, libraries and hospitals.
It is common knowledge that Hinduism, as
distinct from Christianity, is characterised by a hereditary caste system that
runs completely counter to the spirit of democracy.
Thus, we see that over every government
proposal to abolish the caste system an alarm is raised by people on the upper
rungs of the caste ladder.
Conclusion:
Democracy stands for life and progress. Under
favourable conditions it gives encouragement to self-reliance, initiative and
responsibility. It holds authority in trust and guarantees equal considerations
for all.
According to J. W. Goethe, democracy must be
recommended as the best form of government because – “What is the best
government? That which teaches us to govern ourselves.”
Democracy is a tender plant and it needs to
be nourished and watered by hands of faith. This done, Switzerland is a shining
example of the success of democracy.
In conclusion, democracy is
the best form of government, mostly because of its strong philosophical basis.
Democracy places the right level of faith in humanity, gives us the autonomy to
choose who rules us, and respects our rights of freedom and equality.
The political argument for
democracy is also the soundest: although democracy today can be improved
(through political education, for example), and still faces many flaws, it is
more functional than dictatorial forms of government.
Democracy is important for
individual, social and political welfare, and is, therefore, the best form of
government. So we may
conclude with the words of Indira Gandhi – “Democracy is the best form of
government, but it is certainly the most difficult.”
Written by – Sakshi Chauhan
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