WHAT IS DEMOCRACY? WHY DEMOCRACY? POLITICAL SCIENCE CLASS 9

WHAT IS DEMOCRACY? WHY DEMOCRACY? CHAPTER-2 POLITICAL SCIENCE CLASS 9 

OVERVIEW-

Democracy is the most prevalent form of government in the world today and it is expanding to more

countries. But why is it so? What makes it better than other forms of government? That is the second big question that we take up in this chapter. 

The aim here is to understand clearly the bare minimum features of a democratic form of government. After going through this chapter we should be able to distinguish a democratic form of government from a non democratic government.

WHAT IS DEMOCRACY?

Democracy is a form of government in which the rulers are elected by the people. It reminds us that democracy is people’s rule. But if we use this definition in an unthinking manner, we would end up calling almost every government that holds an election a democracy

Ribiang went back home and collected some more famous quotations on democracy. This time she did not mention the names of the people who said or wrote these. She wants you to read these and comment on how good or useful these thoughts are Democracy gives every man the right to be his own

oppressor Democracy consists of choosing your dictators after they’ve told you what you think it is you want to hear. Man’s capacity for justice makes democracy possible, but man’s inclination to injustice makes democracy necessary Democracy is a device that insures we shall be governed no better

than we deserve

What is Democracy?-

Democracy is important because it give citizens equal opportunities to help make laws, vote for leaders and be protected by laws and rights that are in place

Democracy is a governmental structure that focuses on the rights of the citizens rather than the rights that the government has to control the citizens.

Democracy is a form of government in which the rulers are elected by the people.

• Myanmar where the army rules, Dictator Pinochet’s rule in Chile, or President Nkrumah’s rule in • Ghana was not democratic. They were not chosen by the people.
• Hereditary kings, like the king of Nepal or Saudi Arabia, are also not democratic rulers. They rule because they were born into noble families.

In a democracy final, decision-making power must rest with those elected by the people.

• In Pakistan, President Musharraf had the power to dismiss national and state assemblies; so the final powers rest with the army and the General himself. We cannot call it a democracy. Now Pakistan has an elected government.

Democracy must be based on a free and fair election where those currently in power have a fair chance of losing.
For example, in Mexico elections have been held every six years since 1980. But the same party, PRI, has won the elections. Obviously, there has been rigging and malpractices, with freedom denied to the opposition. This is not what a democracy should be.

In a democracy, people’s will is ascertained by each adult citizen having one vote and each vote has one value. Democracy is based on the fundamental principle of political equality.

A democratic government rules within the limits set by constitutional and citizens’ rights.

• A democratic government cannot do what it likes after winning the elections. It has to respect certain basic rules and is accountable not only to the people but also to other independent officials.

The Pillars of Democracy are The Sovereignty of the people, Government based upon the consent of the government, Majority rule, Minority rights, Guarantee of basic human rights, Free and Fair elections, Equality before the law, Constitutional limits on government, Values of tolerance, Pragmatism, Cooperation and Compromise.

Points Against Democracy-
There has been a criticism of democracy by various people. The charges are that:

• It creates instability by changing its leaders frequently.
• Democracy is about power play and political competition. There is no scope for morality.
• So many people have to be consulted before any issue is resolved. It leads to delay.
• Elected leaders do not know the best interest of the people.
• It leads to corruption for it is based on electoral corruption.
• Ordinary people do not know what is good for them, so decision-making should not be left to them.

Points In favour of Democracy-

• It is more accountable form of government.
• A method the Quality of decision making.
• A method to deal with differences and conflict.
• Enhance the dignity of citizens.
• Better than other form of government because it allows to correct its own mistakes. 

BROADER MEANING OF DEMOCRACY-

The most common form that democracy takes in our times is that of a representative democracy . This become necessary because:



Modern democracies involve such a large number of people that it is physically impossible for them to sit together and take a collective decision.



Even if they could, the citizen does not have the time, the desire or the skills to take part in all the decisions . Other forms of government like monarchy, dictatorship or one party rule

do not require all citizens to take part in politics. In fact most non democratic governments would like citizens not to take parting politics. But democracy depends on active political participation by all the citizens. That is why a study of democracy must focus on democratic politics.