Introduction
Each one of us is a collective part of a democratic society. India is known as one of the biggest democracies in the world. The Indian constitution is a very vital part of democracy as a whole. But the questions lie, what exactly do you mean by democracy? How did it first emerge? What role does it play? How does it work? Well, this chapter of democracy gives you brief details into everything you need to know about democracy and how India is a democratic country. You’ll learn individually about what democracy is as well as how India is defined as a democracy. Let’s learn below about the vitality of democracy.
What is Democracy in India?
Before you learn about what is democracy in India, you must also know what democracy is in the first place. While the importance of democracy in India is rather vast, democracy, in a nutshell, plays several roles. In simple terms, democracy is a chief system of the government wherein every citizen exercises certain powers directly or further elect representatives within themselves for the formation of a governing body. For instance, a parliament is known as a governing body. It is also recognized as the rule of the majority. In such a type of government, the power isn’t and cannot be inherited.
People choose to elect their leaders. Representatives that stand and participate in the elections are then voted for by their people or the citizens of the country. The representative with the majority of the votes then wins the election. Thus, democracy in India states that India is a country that offers certain fundamental rights to its citizens. It isn’t ruled by a specific leader. Rather, the government together works in the running of the country.
History of Democracy
The Indian democratic system underwent several alterations over time. Democracy in India exists for decades now. As for the history of democracy in general, the term democracy was derived from the Ancient Greek philosophical and political thought residing in the city-state of Athens in classical antiquity. This word thus is frescoes from the Greek term demos, meaning common people, and Kratos, meaning strength. It was founded in 508-507 BC. Democracy was established by Athenians and then led by the Cleisthenes. Cleisthenes is also recognized as the father of the Athenian democracy.
Working of the Democracy
Coming to the working of democracy in India, democracy works to offer every individual an equal right to certain aspects. The most prime component of a democracy is that every individual living in a society should be termed equal. For democracy to function, this equality is seen in the form of individual votes. Restricting individuals or groups of individuals the right to vote is rather not a democracy. Democracy is merely a system of government where each and every vote carries equal weight. For instance, the system of government in the US is a republic. This is a type of democracy that elects officials who possess the will of the people.
Democracy in India
While you’ve learned everything you need to know about the definition of democracy in India, you might also be wondering how democracy works in the country. Here’s some information about Indian democracy to help you understand better.
India is recognized as the largest democracy in the world. It first became a democratic country post-independence, in 1947. After this, every citizen of India was given the mere right for electing and voting their leaders. India gives every citizen the right to vote, irrespective of their colour, caste, religion, creed, and even gender. It consists of five democratic principles. These include- socialist, secular, sovereign, democratic, and even republic. Thus, in India, democracy is all about offering every citizen the right to vote for running the country. These officials are then responsible for the smooth running of the country and further offering its citizens certain rights.
Solved Questions
1. Which is the Test to Analyze Whether or Not the Elections are Conducted Free and Fair?
The comprehensive test of a free and fair election is the very acceptance of the results of the elections by the voters. If the elections conducted aren’t free or fair, the voters aren’t obliged to accept the result. It is rather practical to assume that if these elections aren’t free and fair, and malpractices were encountered, the ruling party might often win. This is because the ruling party is more impactful than the opposing party.
2. What Does Democracy Briefly Mean?
The most basic implication of democracy is- one person, one vote. This suggests that everybody in the country irrespective of their gender, caste, income, and so on, has the right to vote for the elected official they wish to choose.
FAQs on Democracy
1. What is the simplest definition of democracy?
Democracy is a system of government where the supreme power is vested in the people. Citizens exercise this power either directly or through freely elected representatives. A widely cited definition describes it as a government 'of the people, by the people, and for the people', emphasising that authority originates from the citizens themselves.
2. What are the key features that define a democratic government?
A true democratic government is identified by several core features that ensure power remains with the people. The most important examples include:
Free and Fair Elections: Citizens have the right to choose their leaders through regular elections where every vote holds equal value, and incumbents have a fair chance of losing.
Fundamental Rights: The constitution guarantees basic rights to all citizens, such as freedom of speech, expression, and assembly.
Rule of Law: The law is supreme, and all individuals, including government officials, are accountable under the same laws.
Accountability: The elected government is responsible to the people and the constitution and must answer for its decisions.
3. What is the difference between a direct democracy and an indirect democracy?
The main difference lies in how citizens participate in governance. In a direct democracy, citizens vote directly on laws and policy decisions without intermediaries. In an indirect or representative democracy, citizens elect officials to represent them and make decisions on their behalf. Most modern nations, like India, use an indirect system due to their large populations.
4. How does the principle of 'one person, one vote, one value' ensure political equality in a democracy?
The principle of 'one person, one vote, one value' is the foundation of political equality. It ensures that every adult citizen's vote carries the same weight, regardless of their gender, caste, religion, wealth, or social status. This prevents any single group from having disproportionate influence and forces political parties to appeal to all sections of society, making the government truly representative of the collective will of the people.
5. How is a democratic government different from non-democratic forms like a monarchy or dictatorship?
The primary difference is the source of power. In a democracy, power comes from the people through elections. In contrast:
A monarchy is typically a hereditary system where the ruler (a king or queen) inherits the power.
A dictatorship is a form of government where one person or a small group holds absolute power, usually seized and maintained by force, with no citizen participation or fundamental rights.
6. What is the importance of protecting citizen rights and upholding the rule of law in a democracy?
Protecting citizen rights and upholding the rule of law are not just features but essential safeguards for a healthy democracy. They prevent the government from becoming tyrannical by ensuring that even rulers are bound by law. These principles protect individuals and minority groups from oppression by the majority, guarantee personal freedoms, and provide a stable framework where citizens can hold their leaders accountable, ensuring the government serves the people, not itself.
7. How does India function as a real-world example of a democracy?
India is the world's largest democracy and serves as a prime example of a representative democracy. Key aspects include a written constitution that guarantees fundamental rights, an independent judiciary to protect those rights, and regular elections based on universal adult franchise. Citizens elect representatives to the Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) and State Legislative Assemblies, who then form the government and create laws, making the system accountable to the millions of voters.
8. Who is considered the 'father of democracy' and why?
Cleisthenes, an ancient Athenian statesman, is widely regarded as the 'father of democracy'. Around 508/507 BC, he introduced significant reforms in Athens that broke the power of aristocratic families and reorganized the citizen body into groups based on their area of residence rather than wealth. He is credited with establishing the principle of 'isonomia' (equality of rights for all citizens), which laid the groundwork for the world's first known democratic system.
