Chapter Notes

What is Democracy?

This chapter explores two fundamental questions: what democracy is and why it is considered a better form of government than others. To understand this, we start with a simple definition and then build upon it by examining its key features.

Why define democracy?

Often, we use words without a precise definition. We understand words like 'pen' or 'rain' from using them. However, a definition becomes necessary when we need to distinguish between similar but different things, like telling the difference between 'drizzle' and a 'cloudburst'.

The same is true for democracy. We need a clear definition because many different kinds of governments call themselves democratic, even when they are not. Just relying on a famous quote, like Abraham Lincoln's "government of the people, by the people, and for the people," isn't enough. We must think for ourselves to understand the true meaning.

Similarly, relying on the origin of a word isn't always helpful. The word democracy comes from the Greek words ‘demos’ (people) and ‘kratia’ (rule), meaning ‘rule by the people’. While this is a good starting point, the meaning of words can change over time.

Therefore, to truly understand democracy, we need to go beyond simple quotes or word origins and develop a clear definition based on its essential features.

A simple definition

A common factor in all democracies is that the government is chosen by the people. This gives us a simple starting point for a definition:

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

This definition helps us separate democracies from non-democratic governments.

• Monarchies, like in Saudi Arabia, are not democratic because the rulers (kings) are not chosen by the people but are born into the royal family.
• Military dictatorships, like the army rule in Myanmar or under Pinochet in Chile, are not democratic because the people have no say in choosing their leaders.

However, this simple definition is not adequate. Many governments hold elections but are not truly democratic. To distinguish a real democracy from one that just pretends to be, we must examine each part of this definition carefully.

Features of democracy

The simple definition raises several questions: Who are the rulers? What kind of election is democratic? Who are the people who can elect them? And what kind of power does this form of government have? Let's explore these questions through examples to identify the key features of democracy.

Major decisions by elected leaders

In a democracy, the people we elect should be the ones making the most important decisions. If the final decision-making power lies with someone who is not elected, then the government cannot be called a democracy.

Free and fair electoral competition

Holding elections is not enough. A democracy must provide a real choice between different political parties and candidates. The people should have a fair chance to remove the existing rulers if they want to.

• In China, elections are held every five years for its parliament, the National People’s Congress. However, to contest, a candidate needs the approval of the Chinese Communist Party. Only members of the Communist Party or its eight smaller allied parties are allowed to run. This means the elections do not offer any real choice to the voters, as the government is always formed by the Communist Party.
• In Mexico, elections have been held every six years since its independence in 1930. Until 2000, every election was won by a single party, the PRI (Institutional Revolutionary Party). The PRI was known for using "dirty tricks" to win, such as forcing government employees to attend its meetings, pressuring parents through school teachers, and using large sums of money on campaigns. The media also largely ignored opposition parties. Although people had a choice on paper, in practice, the ruling party could not be defeated. This was not a fair election.

One person, one vote, one value

The principle of political equality is the foundation of democracy. This means that every adult citizen should have one vote, and every vote should have the same value. No citizen should be denied the right to vote without a good reason, and everyone's vote must count equally.

• Until 2015, women in Saudi Arabia did not have the right to vote.
• In Estonia, citizenship rules make it difficult for people from the Russian minority to get the right to vote.
• In Fiji, the electoral system gives more value to the vote of an indigenous Fijian than to that of an Indian-Fijian.

Rule of law and respect for rights

A democratic government cannot do whatever it wants just because it has won an election. It must operate within the limits set by the constitution and must respect the basic rights of its citizens. Even popular leaders and governments can be undemocratic if they do not follow these rules.

• Opposition party workers were harassed, and their meetings were disrupted.
• Public protests were declared illegal, and laws were made to limit criticism of the President.
• The government controlled television and radio, and harassed journalists from independent newspapers who wrote against it.
• The government ignored court judgments that went against it and pressured judges. This shows that even a government elected by the people can be undemocratic if it doesn't respect citizens' rights and the rule of law.

Summary: A Complete Definition

Based on these features, we can create a more complete definition of democracy:

Democracy is a form of government in which:

• Rulers elected by the people take all the major decisions;
• Elections offer a choice and a fair opportunity for the people to change the current rulers;
• This choice and opportunity is available to all the people on an equal basis; and
• The exercise of this choice leads to a government limited by the basic rules of the constitution and citizens' rights.

Why democracy?

Now that we understand what democracy is, we can ask why it is considered the best form of government. Let's look at the arguments for and against it.

Arguments against democracy

Critics often point out several weaknesses in democratic systems:

• Instability: Leaders keep changing in a democracy, which can lead to political instability.
• No scope for morality: Democracy is all about political competition and power play, leaving little room for morality.
• Delays: Consulting many people in a democracy leads to delays in decision-making.
• Bad decisions: Elected leaders may not always know the best interests of the people, which can lead to poor decisions.
• Corruption: Democracy is based on electoral competition, which can lead to corruption.
• Ordinary people are not wise: Some argue that ordinary people don't know what is good for them and therefore should not be the ones making decisions.

Democracy is not a magical solution to all problems. It does not guarantee good decisions or an end to poverty. However, the real question is whether democracy is better than the other forms of government available, like monarchy or dictatorship.

Arguments for democracy

Despite its flaws, democracy is considered better than other forms of government for several key reasons.

• A more accountable government: A democratic government is a better government because it is more accountable to the people. Rulers in a democracy have to respond to the needs of the people because they risk being voted out of power. In a non-democratic system, rulers do not have to act according to the wishes of the people. [!example] During China's famine of 1958-1961, nearly three crore people died. At the same time, India's economic condition was not much better, but India did not experience a famine on that scale. Economists believe this was because India's democratic government, with its opposition parties and free press, was forced to respond to food scarcity in a way that the non-democratic Chinese government did not.

• Improves the quality of decision-making: Democracy is based on consultation and discussion. When many people are involved in a decision, it reduces the chances of rash or irresponsible choices. While this process can take time, it ultimately leads to better-quality decisions.

• Provides a method to deal with differences and conflicts: In a diverse country like India, with different languages, religions, and castes, conflicts are bound to arise. Democracy provides a peaceful solution to this problem. In a democracy, no single group is a permanent winner or loser. Different groups can learn to live with one another peacefully.

• Enhances the dignity of citizens: The strongest argument for democracy is what it does for the citizens. It is based on the principle of political equality, recognizing that the poorest and the least educated have the same status as the rich and the educated. People are not subjects of a ruler; they are the rulers themselves. This enhances their dignity.

• Allows us to correct our own mistakes: No form of government can guarantee that mistakes won't be made. The advantage of democracy is that mistakes cannot be hidden for long. There is space for public discussion and a room for correction. Either the rulers have to change their decisions, or the rulers themselves can be changed in the next election.

Broader meanings of democracy

So far, we have looked at democracy as a form of government with a minimal set of features. The most common form today is representative democracy, where a majority of people rule through their elected representatives. This is necessary because in large, modern societies, it is physically impossible for all citizens to sit together and make every decision.

However, this minimal understanding doesn't help us distinguish between a "democracy" and a "good democracy." For that, we need to consider the broader meanings of the term.

• Democracy as a principle in life: The word democracy is also used to describe a method of decision-making in organizations other than government, such as a family, a classroom, or a political party. A democratic decision involves consultation with and the consent of all those who are affected by it.

• Democracy as an ideal: We also use democracy to describe an ideal that all societies should aim for. For example, we might say that "true democracy" will only come when no one goes hungry, or when every citizen has equal information, education, and resources to participate in decision-making. If we use this ideal standard, then no country in the world is a perfect democracy.

This ideal helps us judge existing democracies, identify their weaknesses, and strive to make them better. Every democracy must constantly make an effort to realize the ideals of democratic decision-making. The fate of the country depends not just on what the rulers do, but on what we, as citizens, do. This active political participation by all citizens is what distinguishes democracy from other forms of government like monarchy or dictatorship.