2 Pillars of Democracy

W e
have
considered
seen
that
democracy is Politically enlightened citizens will be
the best form.of
In this
chapter will discuss thosegovernment. judgethe performance ot the
we able to
democracy which make it features of make the correct government and
choice ot their
forms of superior to all other by evaluating the representatives
government. These elements
essential conditions are the merits
different candidates. and demerits of
for the successful Such
of a
democratic working beeasily swayed by talse yoters will not
government. edaald bythe candidates or promises made
muscle power. by their money
We ENLIGHTENED CITIZENS
know that
or

expression democracy
of the will of the
stands for the WISE LEADERSHIP
very basis of a democratic people. It is the
In large countries people
government. administer cannot
themselves. They elect directly
In
a
democracy, changes are brought about leaders to represent political
by the collective will of them in the
by the use of force. To the thepeople and not Elections are an
important
legislature
make
and to arrive at the right right choices Different political part of democracy
parties contest elections by
decisions, every fielding their candidates.
citizen should be
and socially enlighten the voters at The party leaders
responsive. It does well-informed
not mean that
they should As part of the election the time of elections.
behighly educated. campaign, several public
degrees, but that they or_possess-university
should be meetings are held,
in which various issues
enlightened and
enough to make responsible decisions. Thus, to problems discussed. This helps people
are
make up their minds
political awareness is an
important condition for. Once elections
about whom to vote
of democracy, Derause are over, the
party which
gets the majority forms the
none of the parties government. It
gets a majority, a coalition
gOvernment is formed.
Thus, if the voters are
will only elect leaders whoenlightened,
they
are efticient and
committed. If such wise leaders run the
government, the country will progress in a
truly democratic manner.

SOUND PUBLIC OPINION

Public opinion, as a decision-making
Voters lining up to elect a new government mechanism, plays a major role in a
democracy
 c r e a t e r o a d b l o c k s

tic System grants people the right to they cripple public life and create
sound public opinion and the right to for the of people-friend
Aate
ulataperly. No democratic government programmes of the govern
e x p r e s si t p r
implemen ntation

freedom
public opinion. lf the government the
essential ina democracy to respect
the
ar
an ig
gnores or sup suppresses
public opinion, people
government
of the majority to run the
tions. its opinions.
it in the
next
remove
minority's freedom to press
what i s public opinion? The wishes of the freedom
can ne latter also gives the minority
S0 e on any issue or problem may be t o formulate public opinion against the wrong
h ep e o p l e

ribed as public opinion. It may not be the

policies of the government.
for a
pinion of all the people. It generally is the Toleranceis a virtue which makes
the majority of the people.At times, needed among
Successful democracy. It is c o m m u n i t i e s ,
ay express an
opinion which Political parties, individuals,
o p i n

a
nority All
even
interest of the entire community. religious bodies and the society
at large.
in the
aybe itizens, led by wise leaders, can should respect the rights and views of others.
for its
Enlightene

a
sound opinion. There are many Since ancient times, India has been known faiths
public
eate
tolerance. It has welcomed different
races,
s u c h as political parties and mass
xencies,
nulating public opinion. andideas of people. India's unity in diversity
agen

in
media, that help
agencies function selflessly, the country makes it 'unique' among world nations.
oagencies
If these

willhave
a s o u n d publi opinion, which is so.
democracy. D2PISCIPLINED CITIZENS
pssential for a
democratic
of
For efficient functioning a
need
ACCOMMODATION OF DIFFERENCES government, the citizens of
the country
What
democratic government iS r u n by the party to be politically a w a r e and disciplined.
a coalition of parties that gets the mandate does 'discipline' mean here? p2P2
or
be
ofthe people in terms of the majority of seats First, it m e a n s that the citizens should
should
or votes.
What happens to the minority then? aware of their rights and duties. They
as also be
Can they be ignored o r neglected? No. In a be willing to fight for their rights,
democracy, every group, however small it equally willing to perform their duties2 P3
must be allowed to voice its opinion. LSecond, violence or use of force has no place
may be,
not coercion, is the
Tolerance and inclusiveness are important in a
democracy. Persuasion,
features of democracy. method of such a government. People should
Let us suppose a majority government, use persuasion to bring about change. This is
after coming to power, decides to keep the possible only if the citizens are disciplined.
leaders of the opposition underarrest in order Third, freedom being the essenceof
to keep them away from organizing people democracy, disagreements are unavoidable.
againstgovernment policies. Can it be called a People should respect the views of others
democratic government? No. It is a clear case of even if those views are in sharp contrast with
intolerance which destroys the very foundation theirown. Thus, enlightened, tolerant and
of democracy. Just as an intolerant majority can isciplined citizens are an essential condition
damage the country's democratic structure, so for the successful working of democracy.
also an intolerant minority can do the same.

Unnecessary agitations, bandhs, violentprotests, DISCIPLINED POLITICAL PARTIES

etc. become forms of minority intolerance when of the
Generally, representatives people are
0o
209
 Name any three ties
political parties in your
state 3
T Political parties
are the soul of demo cra
It is important have a natior
that parties
outlook. They should place national
above everything else. They should not stand
interest
for a particular religion, caste or region. rties

based on such narrow considerations

nay
cause unrest among the people and eyen
lead to fragmentation ot the nation. (Natiónal
This mock election campaign was enacted by an integration, not fragmentation, should be the
NGO in Rajasthan to warn people against corrupt
goal of all parties
politicians who make false promises to people.

elected with the help of political parties. These

parties help in creating public opinion and
SoCIAL AND ECONOMIC EQUALITY
Democracy is based on the principles of

persuading people to vote for them. They select equality and human dignity. Therefore, a

candidates and work towards their democratic society should be free from all
victory.
Parties formulate their policies and seek to forms of discrimination, such as caste, sub
implement them when they come to power. If caste,gender, region and language. All sections
the parties are well-oriented anddisciplined, ofthe society should be equal partners in the
elections will be smooth and the government development of the community.
will function efficiently. The rule of law, which is an esserntial element

LAGAAN's LESSON

The Hindi movie 'Lagaan' features a cricket match Kachra

between the British and people of a village in
India. In reply to the villagers' request for tax
relief on account of a prolonged drought, the
British Captain challenges them to beat them in
a cricket match or face a triple tax!
Although the game was totally new to them,
Bhuvan, a young man of the village, takes up
the challenge. While putting together a team, he
chances upon 'spin' bowling skill in a physically
Our goal is freedom from lagaan... Whether you
challenged low-caste youth called Kachra. Bhuvan support me or not, Kachra will play"
asks him to join the team but others protest At this, everyone comes around. They play
saying, "We'll fight the British, But mingle with a team. Finally, the team wins the match wit
an untouchable low caste, never!" significant contribution from Kachra.
Bhuvan tells them, "You brand people
'untouchable and pollute humanity. You choke Was the villagers" attitude
the air in our village with this caste division.. towards Kachra democratie? Once he was give
Kachra is a cripple. . . But the man you call a equal opportunity with others, how did Kach
cripple will be our greatest strength. This lifeless prove the villagers' prejudice wrong? Discuss
hand will lead us to victory, Let me remind you how caste prejudices in our society defeat the

all of one thing.. This is a battle we must win! goal of democracy.

 scracy, means that every citizen is as human beings and with dignity
democracy economic

efore the aw. We also have a judicial TE1s ually important not to have starve
None should
h i c h anyone c a n approach if justice aisparity in the society. the basic necessites
and none should be denied
ndenied to her or him. But does this
Ssten
one hand and
undance o n
e justice and fairness in the everyday of life. If there is
can be no
true

t h e people? There can be some people poverty on the other, there

andeconomic equali
ite they are superior to others. Their democracy, Thus, social successtul
think

conditionfor the
who
ogance may makake them look at others as is an essentia
interior h u
eings
human bei or slaves or servants. working of democracy- Untouchability

says,
indulge in insulting the weaker
Constitution
even
Our form 1s
me may
words and malicious is abolished and its practice in any
hars disability
through enforcement of any
are clear violations forbidden. The an
shall be
o n e s

deeds. S u c h humiliations
4s Such
"

"Untouchability
out of
dignity. is the core arising
human dignity. Human law
accordance
with
punishable in
ofhuman

society can be called

of democracy. A offence
e Article 17).
respected (Part II1,
value

if all its members are

democmocratic only
To Sum Up
republic.
India is a democratic
is considered the best form of government. w i s e and
Democracy include-enlightened people with a
successful democracy free press.
guarantees of a communalism and
casteism, a
Some sure freedom from
honest political parties,
selfless leadership, and socially responsive.
citizen should be well-informed
the right choices every
To make opinion.
government can ignore public
No democratic features of democracy.
inclusiveness are the two important
Tolerance and and low.
there are no distinctions of high
society,
in a democratic
Time to Learn

answer.
A. Tick () the correct
nl of the people.
the expression of the .
1 Democracy is d. thoughts
b. norms will
a. anger government is formed.
majority, a Coalitian
of the political parties gets
a
If three
2 none
c. small d. None of the
b coalition
a. new
on matters of public concern.

be described as the wishes of the people

3 ubliCoghlorcan d. Liberty and equality
citizens c. Elections
a Public opinion b. Enlightened

makes for a successful democracy.

OI 2 c c e i s a virtue which c. Patience d . Tolerance
b. Perseverance
a. Goodness
method of a democratic government.
not coercion is the
-,

c.Tolerance d. Resourcefulness
a. Force b Persuasion

B. Fill in the blanks.

at the time of elections.
enlighten the voters
1Pasiy leaders
known for its ole sap ce
Since ancient times, India has been
 3. Lolence or use of force has no place in a democracy.
4. Political parties should interest above all other
interests.
place pati oa
C. Give short answers for
the following questions.
O W Is political awareness an important condition for democracy?9O6
2. Why is public opinion essential for a democracy to work?
S wnat are the prerequisites for a political party in a democracy?

D. Give long answers for the following questions.

1. Discuss how intolerance can
destroy the democratic system of a COuy
2. What do you understand
3.
by 'political discipline of citizens'?
Equality and human dignity are the core values of a
g2
democracy. Discuss.

why should caste and religious sentiments not be allowed to play an important role in
elections in a
democracy?

Time to Do Enrichment Activities

E. In 2007 the strong public opinion in Turkey thwarted the then Prime Ministerrs move to convert
Secular Turkey into a religious state. Such was the strength of the public opinion that the then Prime
Minister was forced to withdraw from presidential elections held subsequently. Find out about some
recent examples of massive display of public opinion in our country. Make a two-nminute PowerPoint
presentation on the same in Class. Do not forget to include the central issue and the outcome.

F. Surfing Activity
T o read an interesting article on elections in India in 2009 visit
rsgr.in/scO052

Life Skills Social/Emotional

. We elect some persons as our leaders. This is because we trust them and believe that they will lead
us and the country in the right direction. Similarly, in our everyday life we choose some persons as our
friends because we trust them. Trust is therefore an important factor in our life. You and your friends
can play a game which would test your trust in them and vice versa. How
to play the trust game?
Get into groups of two.
Let your partner blindfold you.
The other group members will fix a destination-it can be the
blackboard, the other classroom,
and so on. (Do not include destinations that require you to use the staircase.)
Now your partner will help you reach the fixed destination by guiding you verbally. Have fun!

more enrichment activities go to page 230