UNIT

5 Democracy

5.1 Definition and types of Democracy

The term ‘Democracy’ is derived Law, ii) Equal
from the Greek word as ‘demo’ means Protection before Law
people and ‘cracy’ is referred as rule. The iii) Freedom of
concept of democracy in its Greek term Speech, iv) Freedom
comes from “demos and “kratos” meaning of Religion; v) Right
“people” and “rule”. Thus the term to organize and participate fully in the
democracy is Rule by People. political, economic, and cultural life of
Democracy society.
is one of the most d) Democracies conduct regular free and
important and well- fair elections open to all citizens.
debated topics in e) Democracy ensures that all citizens
the world since the receive equal protection under the law
beginning of the and that their rights are protected by
Twentieth Century and it has increased the Legal-constitutional system.
importance in the Twenty-first century.
Democracy defined by Philosophers:
The concept and practice of Democracy
in the Modern period evolved in Britain, “Democracy would, it
although it’s ancient concept and practice seems, a delightful form of
was in Ancient Greece. The spread of government, anarchic and
Democracy in began in the world in mostly, assigning a kind of
different countries from the beginning of equality indiscriminately
the Twentieth-century. to equals and unequals
Characteristics of Democracy alike.” - Socrates
“Freedom in a democracy is the glory of
a) Democracy rests upon the principles the state, and therefore,in
of majority rule, along with individual a democracy only will the
and minority rights. freedom of nature design
to dwell.”
b) The right of the people to demand the
- Plato
Government they elected and the duty
of the Government to be accessible and “The foundation of democratic
constitution is liberty. People constantly
responsive to their needs and demands
make this statement
is the main function.
implying that only in this
c) One of the primary functions of constitution is there any
Democracies is to protect such basic share in liberty at all”.
Human Rights i) Equality before - Aristotle

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 f) 
Democracies are diverse political acceptance of the laws. This is known as
systems, reflecting each nation’s unique Popular Referendum.
political, social, and cultural life.
The second type of Democracy is the
g) 
Democracy ensures the citizens to Representative system of Democracy in
participate in the political system. which the elected representatives of the people
(representative democracy)are elected for a
h) Democracy is a system of government
term of office who determine public policy
in which power and civic responsibility
on behalf of the people. Political Democracy
are exercised by all citizens, directly
by Representative system of democracy is
or through their freely elected
the dominant form of Democracy all over
representatives.
the world, whereas the Direct Democracy
Types of Democracy is practiced in the Federal Republic of
Switzerland.
Democracy by its function has
different scope and importance. ii. Social Democracy
i) Political Democracy Social Democracy is a combination
ii) Social Democracy of social, economic and political ideas that
iii) Industrial Democracy supports economic and social policies.
It promotes social equality and social
iv) Economic Democracy
justice giving strength to economy and
v) Totalitarian Democracy representative and participatory democracy.
vi) Radical Democracy Social Democracy is based on the principle
vii) Plebiscitary Democracy of Social equality in all aspects of gender,
status, beliefs, values and customs. Social
i. Political Democracy Democracy believes strongly in Equality
Political democracy feature's the of opportunity and equality in freedom
popular participation of citizens in as the basis of human rights and life in a
government by which citizens elect their Democracy.
representatives to the Legislature of the
iii.Industrial Democracy
state. The elected representatives are
accountable to the citizens who elected Industrial democracy is defined
them. As a political system of government, as the means to promote democratic
Democracy works either as a function by principles in industry and labour by the
the direct involvement of the citizens in provision and protection of Labour Rights
making laws and the elected legislators and Responsibilities in the workplace.
would introduce it in the Legislature. This is
known as the process of Popular Initiative. Industrial democracy encourages the
Similarly, when the legislators elected by participation of labour in decision making
the people frame legislation, it is approved along with the management. Industrial
by a popular vote that is based on popular democracy enables the workers participate

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 actively in the process of building both vi. Radical Democracy
community and individual interests for
Radical Democracy was proposed
the collective good of the society and
by M.N.Roy a leading Indian political
state. Industrial democracy empowers
thinker who believed in “real rule” of the
workers as partners in the industry calling
people for the term of office to which the
for their joint efforts to build community
legislators are elected. Radical democracy
interests and welfare
supports the idea of direct accountability
iv. Economic Democracy of the legislators and executive to the
people during the term of office. Radical
Economic democracy is defined Democracy believed in the humanism
as the process of creating democratic of the people who are the real masters
conditions of economic productivity, of political authority and power and not
minimising the rich-poor gap and the elected legislators. Radical democracy
socio-economic differences, promoting brings into Democracy the real sense of
affordable economic development and the people’s participation, accountability of
ideal of creating greater equality among the elected and the power of the people to
various classes. change the government.
v. Totalitarian Democracy
vii. Plebiscitary Democracy
Totalitarian Democracy is known as
populist democracy or mass democracy Plebiscitary Democracy is defined as
in which Citizens after electing the the process of a direct voting by the people
representatives have no voice in decision- of a candidate, or party or a public issue
making, but the elected representatives or the adoption of a new constitution of a
decide for the entire country. Totalitarian state or to determine the association of the
Democracy elevates the ruler, party and the province with the state known as national
elected legislators over the voting citizens self-determination. The voters have the
and captures power through democratic choice to accept or reject the choice.
means but runs as dictatorship. The
Plebiscitary democracy gives the
political ideology of the ruler, party and
citizens the right and power to collect
the legislators becomes dominant over
a sizeable number of signatures on a
people interests. Totalitarian democracy
petition to draft a law or a public policy
in the name of people’s rights would use
programme and put the proposal or draft
internal terror against certain sections
law to vote by the citizen population
of people and also speech restrictions to
keep the population under its complete Plebiscitary democracy can by a
control. collection of signatures could result in the
Totalitarian democracy would have recall of the elected representative because
complete control of the economy of the of failure to represent the real interests of
state and would use it to control the the people.
population.
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 5.2 Theories of Democracy
ACTIVITY – TRUE OR FALSE
Democracy is a theory that has various
Which of the following applications in different historical periods,
statements is true about today’s world? different civilizations and cultures. The
a) Monarchy as a form of government Ancient theory of Democracy emerged in
has vanished. Ans : __________ Ancient Greece that saw the rise of several
b) The relationship between different city-states (polis) which believed and
countries has become more applied the procedure of Direct election,
democratic than ever before.
Debating of public policies and Decision
Ans : ____________
by the people. Greek Civilization, Culture
c) In more and more countries, rulers
and Language spread widely throughout
are being elected by the people.
Ans: ____________ Europe in the ancient historical period.
d) There are no more military And it also saw the spread of democracy
dictators in the world. as a “form” and “system” of government
Ans : ___________ initially in Europe and later into North
e) Which is the good form of and South America.
government Democracy or Polity? As the Greek polis increased in
f) Democracy is a failure in a country size the nation of democracy by elected
of people who are ignorant. representatives gained importance and
g) Democracy fails when the rights of relevance. Representative democracy later
the people are taken away emerged as the dominant form and system
of government in the European Middle
Scholars view of Democracy Ages, the Age of Enlightenment. The mass
Democracy is a ‘living popular demand for Democracy was made
reality’ in every sphere in the American (1775-1783) and French
of social, economic and Revolutions (1789-1799). Democracy has
political activity. now emerged as a “universal” form of
- George Douglas government widely accepted by several
Howard Cole countries with various people groups,
cultures and languages.
Democracy is defined as,
1. A government by the
people; especially: rule
of the majority:
democracy Republic Dictatorship Monarchy
2. A government in which the supreme
power is vested in the people
There are various Theories of Democracy
and exercised by them directly
defined in terms of scope and impact:
or indirectly through a system of
representation usually involving
5.2.1 Classical Democracy: Emerged as
periodically held free elections.
a direct form of democracy in Ancient
- Thomas Jefferson
Greece. Athens was the first city to
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 introduce such a democracy. Direct rights and liberties. Protective democracy
democracy in Athens emerged in between as a Rights-based democracy emerged in
800-500 BCE (Before Common Era). In the late seventeenth and early eighteenth
Athenian direct democracy, the citizens centuries placing it as an instrument of
of the city-state are all as members of the protecting human rights and liberties.
assembly, who participated directly in The English thinker John Locke (1631-
the decision making and the process of 1704) was regarded as the great advocate
legislation. Given the limited population of protective democracy. Locke argued
they were able to gather in the city square that the citizen’s freedom and right to
and were able to deliberate. All citizens vote was based on the existence of natural
were free to express their different rights characterized by Life, Liberty and
opinions, debate, and vote in a system Property.
directly and this was called as Classical Protective Democracy was proposed
Democracy. Classical democracy for its by English thinkers Jeremy Bentham
success should have two preconditions: (1748-1832) James Mill 1773-1836)
a) The community must be small enough and John Stuart Mill(1806-1873) of the
for citizens to be proficient in attending Utilitarian School of Democracy and
debates and voting on issues; b) the Rights. Utilitarianism was powerfully
economy of the state should be sufficient advocated in favour of protective
for enabling the citizens to engage in democracy.
politics.
The following are the basic features of
The principles of classical democracy
protective democracy:
are mentioned below:
a) The chief political ideals were equality ™™ P
rotective democracy believes in
among all people, liberty and respect for popular sovereignty.
law and justice.
™™ Both the popular sovereignty and
b) Equality before law and equal treatment representative form of government are
of law enabled justice to prevail in legitimate.
almost all the spheres of society.
Political life was free a nd open. � It is the primary duty of the state to
protect the rights and liberties of
The main subject of classical
citizens.
democracy was the participation of all
peoples in the processes of state. Classical
� 
The authority is accountable to the
democracy was to bring equality among
People and in order to establish it
citizens in respect of rights and privileges.
elections are held on regular basis.
Protective Democracy:
� S eparation of the Legislature, Executive
Democracy has been regarded as and Judiciary are the most important
a means at the disposal of individuals means of protecting the rights, liberties
which they can use to safeguard their and the distribution of privileges.
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 � 
The introduction of rights-based the falseness of the liberal democracies
protective democracy brought in are thus seen as ‘capitalist’ or ‘bourgeois’
the idea of constitutionalism that democracies which are manipulated
governed the ruler and the ruled by the and controlled by the entrenched power
principles laid down in constitution. of ruling class. The Marxist theory
The Constitution is the sole source of emphasises the importance of economic
power for all and is the guarantor of factor as the key factor for the class
rights and liberties. divisions and ownership and the control
of the means of production.
5.2.2 Marxist Theory of Democracy Democratic Marxists view (a) State
The Marxist theory views the as an agency of anti-people crimes and
democracy in the social context of class considered the abolition of standing
analysis during the era of industrial army and instituting a citizen’s militia,
revolution. Society was divided into two (b) Implement the election of all officials
classes viz: capitalists or owners of the subjecting them to recall, (c) Totally
property are called as ‘bourgeois’ and remove the political attribute of police,
the working class is called as ‘proletariat’. (d) Eliminate the monarchy.
The Marxist theory of Democracy held
the political position to always challenge Views of leaders on Democracy
the dominance of capitalists and against
the exploitations of working class. The Democracy is the road to
Marxist theory of democracy did not socialism. -Karl Marx.
support electoral rights, but strongly
Democracy is the form of
supported economic rights and the
the government for the
creation of ‘socialist democracy’.
people, of the people, by the
The Marxist theory of Democracy people. -Abraham Lincoln.
favoured the collapse of capitalism and My notion of democracy is
calls for the revolutionary transformation that under it the weakest
of the society. It believes that political should have the same
power is possible only through the ideals opportunity as the strongest.
of ‘socialism’; and is based on the equal This can never happen except through
distribution of economic power against non-violence. - Mahatma Gandhi
the unequal wealth and ownership of
production. The Marxists democrats
and socialists believe in the removal of 5.2.3 Elitist Theory of Democracy
class differences and privileges are the The role of the elites in a democracy is
necessary step to freedom, equal status an unavoidable force. Elites of Leaders rule,
and democracy. control key resources and enforce major
The socialists believed that with decision for centuries. In an industrial,
universal education people can govern agrarian society the ownership of property
themselves. The Marxist theory criticises and control over production were the
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 important factors. Elites from the agrarian Pluralism paves way for participatory
and industrial sectors emerge as feudal democracy that enables diverse group
landlords and owners of industry. They participation, to protect their rights. In
later take a political role to govern the state. this scheme, political power is distributed
Three important theorists Vilfredo Pareto and shared to many groups in the
(1848-1923), Gaetano Mosca (1857-1941) society representing diverse interests.
and Robert Michels (1876-1936) are the Pluralism leads to defend their particular
leading thinkers of elitist democracy. interests through government by creating
Pareto classified the elites into governing ‘competitive equilibrium’ that intends to
and non-governing elite from the masses. benefit large sections of the society for the
The governing elite are the power elites long run.
who are the ruling classes. They derive Pluralism suggests that democracy
power from the variety of sources such in the system necessitates the conduct of
as education, social status, bureaucratic regular elections that encourages political
position, political connections, and competition among parties, groups and
wealth. Pareto described the Elite qualities individuals. The thinkers of Utilitarian
in two psychological types (a) Foxes – school were the great advocates of
who rule the masses by cunningness and pluralist democracy James Madison, John
manipulate their consent, (b) Lions – Stuart Mill and Tocqueville predicted
who achieve power through domination, that elections expresses the preferences
coercion and violence. Elitism developed of divergent competitive groups rather
as a critique of egalitarian idea such as than the wishes of many in the majority
democracy and socialism. group. Robert Dahl pointed out that the
Robert Michels had an alternative very essence of democracy is realized
view about the democracy that even though by Polyarchy that accommodates the
the organization tend to be democratic presence of divergent groups, association,
but the small group of dominant figures organizations in large number to enjoy
who can organize and make decision relative autonomy in governmental power
rather than having deliberation with rank and jurisdiction.
and file of the organization an d called it
as ‘iron law of oligarchy’.
5.2.4 Pluralist Theory of Democracy  Later there was a revision in Robert
Pluralist addresses the interests Dahl’s Theory, he forwarded the theory
and rights and the representation of the of “Deformed Polyarchy” to better
minorities thus forming the core content describe the working of American
of liberal democracy. It offers the scope democracy.
of institutions for the democratic process
in the case of Legislature known as 5.2.5 Deliberative Theory of Democracy
Bicameralism and a form of governance Democracy is Deliberative in its
namely Federalism to govern the state scope. It emphasizes on the form of
through various set of representation. democracy that emphasizes the need for
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 deliberation, discourse and debate that
defines the public interest. Deliberation
and participation are two critical aspects
of democracy. Deliberative democracy
and participation are usually strong in
the grassroots level. India’s Panchayati
Raj institutions are usually strong in this
process. Grass roots democracy features
Panchayati Raj Institutions and civil
Deliberative democracy is
societies that strengthen the functioning
harmonious with both representative
of the government. James Miller defines
democracy and direct democracy. Rawls
that deliberative democracy is built on the
and Habermas famous theorists of justice
system of deliberation that features that
and public opinion have observed that
decisions are reflective of the discussion
political choice, to be legitimate, must be
among the participants. It features the
the outcome of deliberation about ends
willingness of the people to listen to the
among free, equal, and rational agents.
views and consider the interests of the
Deliberative democracy recognises “the
others modifying their own opinions
full and equal membership of all in the
accordingly. Public interest and public
sovereign body responsible for authorizing
opinion are the key components of the
the exercise of that power, and establishes
deliberative democracy.
the common reason and will of that body”.

ACTIVITY

a) Why it is important to separate the religion from the State in democratic

societies?
b) Why it is important that government schools do not promote any one religion?
c) Give two evidences which suggest that India is a secular state.
d) Discuss any three key factors that threatens the growth of secular state in India.
e) You have read that most elected members whether in the Panchayat or Corporation,
State Assembly or the Parliament are elected for a period of 5 years. Why do we have
a system where the representatives are elected for a period of 5 years?
f) List the three forms of protest that you see in newspaper and paste it in the Chart.
Display in your classroom.
g) R
 OUND ROBIN – Generate ideas on short comings of democracy and speak in
order moving from one student to the next.
Democracy is the most popular form of government emerging the modern times. Still
the shortcomings cannot be ruled out. Justify the statement by assessing any five short
comings of democracy.

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 Case Study Case Study

TALE OF TWO CARTOONS HISTORIC TRANSITION IN

BHUTAN

Democracy
o cra
cy Voluntary
D em

Nepal Monarchy Transition

racy
Democ

Courtesy : The Hindu - 3.11.2008

Cartoon by Keshav
Courtesy : The Hindu- 31.12.2007
The fourth King of Bhutan, Jigme
Cartoon by Surendra
Singye Wangchuck travelled to all the 20
districts of the tiny Kingdom. The purpose
APRIL REVOLUTION AND of the travel is to explain the importance of
DEMOCRACY IN NEPAL historic transition to the people of Bhutan.
Transition from the hereditary monarchy to
On April, 2006 the leaders of Nepal‘s
the Parliamentary Democracy. In 2006, the
vibrant pro-democracy civil society
King has abdicated the throne, 34 years after
movement “Seven Party Alliance” (SPA)
ascending it. His son Crown Prince Jigme
called for a million-strong demonstration Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck becomes
to be staged at seven different points the fifth monarch and head of State of the
along the ring road encircling the capital Himalayan Kingdom. Now Bhutan is a
Kathmandu. The millions of citizens who parliamentary democracy and King Jigeme
made up the people’s movement demanded a constitutional monarch
a end to autocratic rule of monarchy and Discuss the salient features of April
restoration of total democracy in the Revolution of Nepal and Voluntary transition
Himalayan Kingdom. An unprecedented of power in Bhutan. Discuss the key terms
development forced the King Gyanendra such as Hereditary Monarchy, Parliamentary
to step down and paved the way for Democracy, Monarchy, Autocracy and
democracy. Democracy.
Modern and Contemporary Democracy: ™ Written constitution the basic
requirements and it must be kept up
Modern and contemporary
in everyday life by politicians and
democracies emerged in the late eighteen
authorities:
centuries in Western Europe as a result of
industrial revolution, rise of labour and ™ Importance of Constitutionally
the social changes that emerged. Modern guaranteed basic Human Rights and
and contemporary democracies feature: fundamental rights to every individual
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 of all the social groups’ especially the law; civil liberties; human rights;
religious minorities and other and elements of civil society outside the
underprivileged. government. Freedom of speech is the
fundamental requirement of modern
™ The Separation of Powers between the democracy.
institutions of the state:
All democratically elected
™ Government (Executive Power),
Governments are held responsible by free
Parliament (Legislative Power) and
speech, every decision must have a reason,
Courts of Law (Judicative Power)
accountable. The free flow of information
™ Freedom of opinion, speech, press and allows both people and governments
mass media to make the best informed decisions.
Democracy has been described or defined
™ Religious liberty broadly as

™ General and equal right to vote (one a) Political System of Competition for
person, one vote) – Universal Adult Power
Suffrage
b) Right to participation in public life
The “majority rule” is characterized
as only important features of democracy, c) The Rule of Law
however the process should have free and
TYPES OF MODERN DEMOCRACY:
fair competitive elections. Additionally,
the importance of Rights is very important Representative Democracy:
viz: freedom of political expression,
freedom of speech, and freedom of
the press are indispensable in the
representative democracy and the masses
are informed through political campaign
and the manifestoes of the political parties DEMOCRACY
enable to vote in their personal interests.
Free Media
Legislature

Executive

Judiciary

Democracies have been practiced

by different models of political system
ranging from one party rule to multi-party
system. In several countries, democracy is
based on the legal principle of equal rights
to vote. People in Asian and European
countries use the term “democracy” as A representative democracy is the
the basic expression meaning for liberal system of government in which all qualified
democracy, which has the salient features citizens vote to elect their representatives
of political pluralism; equality before based on the constituencies divided by the
population or eligible voters.
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 People elect their representatives to numerous Third World countries and may
power to run the government through gradually be well established in the former
political parties according to their views USSR and its former states in Eastern
on ideology, principle, policies and Europe. Liberal Democratic regimes may
programme for their socio-political and be classified as either Presidential or
economic development. The parties are Parliamentary systems and there are also
allowed to have choose the candidates important variations within these broad
on their own to attract the masses and categories. Representative democracies
winning chances. are based upon numerous interconnected
principles:
During the election they announce
to the people about their programmes and � The existence of regular, free, fair
policies are known as the ‘party manifesto’. elections based upon universal
A transforming country like India, every suffrage and secret ballots under the
national and regional party used to supervision of Election Commission as
release their election manifesto to have an independent body.
a direction and trajectory of their future
� The existence of competing political
plan of action so as to win the confidence
of the masses. parties offering electoral choice.

� The existence of electoral laws

The individuals are allowed to contest supervised by an independent judiciary.
elections as independent candidates too, if
they do not wish to belong any political � Freedom of speech and association.
party. The role of political parties is vital
� Freedom to stand as an election
in a representative democratic system.
candidate.
The members of political parties keep the
people informed about important issues
ACTIVITY
by holding public meetings, for either
supporting or opposing the policies of the a) The sessions could be watched in
government. Thus, the political parties the television where the MLAs and
mobilize the people in knowing their needs MPs of our constituencies raising
and in turn mould the public opinion. issues related to their particular
The representatives are constitutionally constituencies.
recognized and entitled to execute their
duties and responsibilities in the people’s b) This can be practiced for electing
interest, with authority. the Leader of the Class through a
secret ballot system according to
Representative Democracy is closely the wish of students.
associated with Liberal Democracy which
c) 
Student parliament can be
describes the political system which
organized to take part in discussion
originated in the USA and Western Europe
with parliamentary procedures.
and has subsequently been adopted in

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 Participatory Democracy: for its “political” operation in that it
revolves around a structure of authority
Participatory democracy is been
increasing and extending the scope
promoted to achieve equity reversing the
of participation and political equality
concept of equality. In the recent days
involves democratizing society.
participatory democracy is a process that
enables and ensures the wider participation The aim of participatory democracy
of constituents in the direction and is to make people interested to take part in
operation of political systems. Democracy the political, legal and economic processes
tends to support more involved forms of the state and also to make people more
of citizen participation than traditional responsible for the decisions made. The
representative democracy. A civil society important feature of a participatory
based concept, participatory democracy democracy is that people will have the
attempts to create opportunities for all opportunity to directly participate in
members of a group to make expressive the functions and access to the decision-
contributions to decision-making, and making institutions of state and there
to increase the range of access to such shall be no provision for delegating power
opportunities. Social relations is base to another body or organ. It is designed to

ACTIVITY

Hey,
They should be
talking to us! I Know the village
wants water but I
My uncle
think we should is in the
budget for a road business

Local
development
plan

Include other what we really need

Local Council
n,
Actio communities
d P l an let’s budget
A i
dge t
& Bu

Try to take part in the meetings of Grama Sabha held on Independence Day and
Republic day of India where the people of the particular village come together to
discuss about their demands and getting involved in the decision making process.

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 revitalize the democratic participation in The qualitative analysis of
the era of economic growth, to redress the democracy can be measured through the
inequality among the people. The most political participation in terms of protest,
important characteristic is the importance demonstration, campaign, opinion
of political equality in democratic system making, freedom of expression and other
a long side basic or fundamental rights, constitutionally guaranteed rights. The
liberties that needs emphasis and to be social reflections are adding values to the
highlighted. social changes in terms of social upward
mobility occurring within the caste
5.3 Measuring and evaluating democracy system, religious, gender and cultural
Democracy has found to be a perspectives. Democracy has direct
right, system, approach, mechanism relationship with changing economic
and the profound channel of expression pattern of development through policies to
of consent and dissent. Measuring and minimize the inequality. The quantitative
evaluating democracy complement part of the democracy is to evaluate
each other. As it was strongly expressed through human development index, per
by Dr.B.R.Ambedkar, the Drafting capita income and so on. The democracy
Committee Chairman of the Constitution can be measured and evaluated by the
of India, ‘In politics we will have equality following criteria.
and in social and economic life we will
a) Sovereignty: The degree to which
have inequality. In politics we will be
a polity is able to govern itself in its
recognizing the principle of one man one
domestic affairs and foreign policies and
vote and one vote one value. In our social
free from interference of other nations.
and economic life, we shall, by reason
of our social and economic structure, b) Authority: The degree to which central
continue to deny the principle of one man governmental authority is pre-eminent
one value.’ Democracy can be measured throughout the territory claimed as
and evaluated in terms of qualitative and part of the polity.
quantitative methods. The qualitative
analysis will help to understand the c) E lected government: The extent to
dynamics of social change and the which executive functions are carried
quantitative analysis will help to prove the forward by officials elected through
net result of the change to accentuate the election through secret ballot.
democratic process.
d) Universal Adult suffrage: The extent
to which all the adults have been given
the right to exercise vote in elections.
e) Turnout: The percentage of people’s
participation in voting during elections.

f ) Regular elections: The extent to which

elections are held in regular interval
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 (every 5 years) and on schedule, n) Party strength: The extent to which
according to the constitution of India. parties are institutionalized and
decentralized its power, functions and
g) Free and Fair elections: The extent inclusiveness.
to which parties and candidates can
gain access to the ballot, and have their o) Party ideology: The extent to which
votes counted and allocated fairly. parties have well-defined, consistent,
Also, the extent to which citizens are and coherent ideologies.
able to register to vote without fear and p) Party system: The number of parties
favour. gaining seats in the legislature.
h) Access to media and campaign: The q) Freedom of Press: The extent to which
extent to which all parties/candidates major media outlets are independent,
are granted equal access to the media free to air their diverse political expert
and to campaign, proportional to their views, and able to reach the citizen.
support in the electorate. r) Civil society independence: The extent
i) Ensuring rule of law: The extent to to which civil society is independent
which the executive follows the law, of the state and able to voice opinions
as defined by the constitution and as critical of political leaders.
interpreted by the judiciary. s) Civil liberty: The extent to which
j) L egislative power: The extent to which citizens enjoy all the fundamental
the legislature controls the executive and human rights enshrined in the
with parliamentary systems constitution.
k) 
Role of Opposition parties: The t) Property rights: The extent to which
extent to which the opposition parties property rights are protected.
function in a parliamentary democracy u) Religious freedom: The extent to
to control the excess of ruling party which freedom of religion is guaranteed
when it moves out of the constitutional to maintain religious harmony and
framework. secular content of government policies
and programs.
l) Independent Judiciary: The extent to
which the highest judicial bodies are v) E qual access to resources: The extent
independent of the executive and other to which resources are redistributed
outside influences. to achieve economic equilibrium
through income, education, and health
m) Judicial review: The extent to which which would make greater impact of
the highest judicial bodies are able to participating in politics.
review acts of legislation and other w) E qual access to natural and common
governmental actions in the light of property: The extent to natural and
constitutional provisions, and the common resources to ensure their
extent to which such decisions are livelihood, environment and social
respected by other bodies. emancipation.
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 x) G ender equality: The extent to which � I n the first General election 1951, 173
women achieve equal representation million citizens were given right to vote;
with indiscriminate dignity in the of these, 44.87 percent exercised their
legislature, social institutions and other franchise. In the 16thgeneral election
high positions within government. in 2014, the size of the electorate had
y) 
Political equality to achieve socio- increased to 814 million the voting
economic status for underprivileged: percentage had gone up to 66.4 and
The extent to which underprivileged of these, 67.9 percent were men and
ethnic groups defined as caste, tribe, 65.6 percent women. The number of
race, religious minority, or other contestants was increased to 8,251.
ascriptive characteristics are granted
�S
 ince 2004, votes are recorded through
constitutional rights and remedies to
(EVMs) electronic voting machines.
come up to positions of power within
These are manufactured in India and
the government, as well as the extent
their accuracy is ensured and secrecy
to which such groups actually gain
has been fully tested.
representation in the legislature and
other high positions within government �O
 ur electoral system known as FPTP or
according to their political participation First-Past-The-Post system, is a single-
and social position. member district, simple-plurality
5.4 Achievements of Indian Democracy system in which voters cast a single
ballot to choose a single representative
The founding fathers of India and its to the lower house of parliament or the
Constitution had built strong democratic State legislative assembly, the candidate
foundations in the Indian State and the with largest number of votes, even
Constitution thus making India a great if only a plurality, getting elected to
country. The democratic constitutional represent the constituency.
foundations have strengthened the
Constitution in every aspect of socio- �S
 ince 1989, the citizens were given a
political and economic changes. The chance to elect their representatives at
Preamble of the Constitution laid down the age of 18, this is another feather in
clear road map with Fundamental the crown of democracy.
Rights and Duties, Directive Principles; � I ndia is the world’s the largest democracy
Parliamentary System and Amendment proved success in accommodation
Procedures; Judicial Review and Basic of group and regional demands in a
Structure doctrine. complex, quasi-federal, polity.
Political front �T
 he 73rd and 74th amendment of the
�D
 uring the first general election in constitution has given the reservation
the 1951 India had 54 political parties for SC/STs, women in the Local self-
and now it has grown up to 464 in the governing bodies like panchayats,
2014 general election as an evident of municipalities and corporations as
deepening of the democratic process. members, councillors and mayors.
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 � I ndia’s democratic set up has been Economic Front:
vibrant and able to keep the military
These include strategic affairs and security,
out of political power. It also shows
politico-legal democratic governance as
prudence on the part of military
well as society and economy.
generals and defence personnel earning
respect from the executive.  India has been able to emerge as a
Social Front: The democratic process regional power in Asia and super power
has brought about a shift of political in south Asia backed by its economic,
power from the middle and higher castes military and nuclear capabilities.
and classes of urban society to backward
classes who are now the politically most It meant centralized planning till
 
influential ones in the country. They 2017 and a very big public sector for
have won reservations for themselves in industries catering employment and
legislatures and government services as science and technology education for
were accorded to the Scheduled Castes the youth in the country, but soon
and Scheduled Tribes after independence there were inefficiencies and labour
through Constitutional provisions. issues it resulted in a move towards
a more open liberalized and market
India’s institutions like the free press and driven model of the economy starting
an independent judiciary have ensured in the 1991 reforms called as Structural
that India remains a society based on rule Adjustment Programme. Post this,
of law. the economy has seen greater private
The life expectancy at birth has almost and foreign participation found the
doubled from 36 years in 1951 to 66 years base for the emergence of professional
in 2011 due to the availability of better new middle class. The technological
health facilities and the health programmes innovations applied in transforming the
consistently implemented for the well- service sector particularly Education,
being of the people to get away from the Health and transportation along with
epidemics, endemics, communicable and rural and urban infrastructure lead to
non-communicable diseases. digital India and reforms in banking
sectors has brought a great social
Similarly, diseases like smallpox and polio transformation in reality.
have been eradicated. In education, the
number of universities and colleges has  India’s Gross National Income (GNI)
gone up from a minuscule 27 universities at constant prices has increased more
and 578 colleges in 1950-51 to an estimated than 35 times from 2.92 lakh crore in
712 universities and 36,671 colleges in 1950-51 to 105.28 lakh crore 2014-
2014. Similarly, literacy rates have almost 15. Similarly, the per capital income at
quadrupled from 18.3 current prices has risen from a poultry
274 In 1950-51 to a decent 88,533
percent of the population in 1951 to 73
in 2014-15.
percent in 2011.

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 Food grain production grew from
  political violence, regional disparity in
50.8 million tonnes in 1950-51 to an development, inadequate Judicial and
estimated 264.77 million tonnes in administrative reforms, civil society
2014-15 that indicates more than a five- participation, civil-military relationship,
fold increase and the fact that India is criminalization of politics and growing
food secure for the time being. It was economic offences. The challenges now
made possible with rapid advances in and for the future include ensuring
agricultural technology. greater transparency, accountability and
independence in the broad framework
5.5 Challenges to Indian Democracy of checks and balances on which India’s
The challenges that are faced by democratic framework rests.
Indian democracy ranges from individual
to society as a whole the problems
of Illiteracy which resulted in poor
implementation of universalization of Even after 73rd and 74th constitutional
education, Poverty, corruption, Casteism, amendments, there were villages in
Communalism, religious fundamentalism, which panchayat elections were not
Sustainable development, gender conducted for many years.
discrimination, violence against women,

Glossary:

Authority is the right to exercise the power Corruption is generally known as

and influence of a particular position that favouring one through illegal means. But
comes from having been placed in that on the other hand it is a failure to carry
position according to regular, known and out ‘proper’ responsibilities as a result of
widely accepted procedure. the pursuit of private gain.
Civil society is the realm of autonomous
Deliberative democracy: A form of
groups and associations; a private sphere
democracy that emphasises the need for
independent from public authority
discourse and debate to help define the
Civil-Military relationship: It is the public interest.
discipline that has emerged to study and
Elite means that a minority in whose hands
understand the relationship between the
power, wealth or prestige is concentrated.
civil society as a whole and the military
and its organizations to protect it. Gender discrimination: A practice of
Communalism as a political ideology that discrimination between females and
has come to be associated with conflicts, males based on their different social roles
tensions and resulting it in violence and positions.
between different religious, ethnic and Grass-root democracy is participating
caste groups. in the process and practice of local self-
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 governance to design their political Liberty refers to authoritative permission
process and decision-making for fulfilling to act in some particular way.
the needs of the people from lower strata
of the socio-economic category. Equality: The principle of uniform
apportionment, rather than ‘sameness’;
Polyarchy means the rule by the many. A equality may be applied to rights,
series of minorities, some self-interested opportunities or outcomes.
and other disinterested within the
boundaries stipulated by consensus with Fraternity means as brotherhood, bonds
not being able to dominate but all having of sympathy and comradeship between
space for the manoeuvre and bargaining. and amongst human beings

Republic: The principle that political Sovereignty: Absolute and ultimate power;
authority stems ultimately from the sovereignty can imply either supreme legal
consent of the people; the rejection of authority or unchallengeable political
monarchical and dynastic principles. power.

Right: The concept of right is the Socialism: The concept of Socialism is

acceptance of ideas of personal autonomy, an ideology and it is applied in terms of
individuality, liberty and human equality achieving equality in the economic system
and any denial and discrimination has to in which property is held in common
have sufficient reasons. and not individually, and relationships
between the state and society are governed
Freedom is 1) The ability to think or act as by a political hierarchy.
one wishes; freedom implies either non-
interference or personal self-development. Secularism: The concept of secularism is
2) Liberty from the arbitrary power of the that the state should not patronize any
tyrants along with the right of citizens religion and also treat all the equally.
to manage their common affairs by The state is defined as a political entity that
participating in government. possesses people, territory, a government
and sovereignty.

Evaluation

I Choose and write the correct Answer

1. The term democracy means

a) Rule by People c) Revolution
b) Power of People d) Polyarchy

2. Democracy is a _____________________
a) Form of Government c) Political System
b) Rule by Law d) Power of People
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 3. Democracy underlines the Principle of

a) Rule by the people c) Election

b) Rule of Constitution d) Governing principle

4. Social Democracy believes strongly in

a) Equality of opportunity and freedom c) Socialism

b) Human rights d) Liberty

5. Direct Democracy is practiced in the

a) Federal Republic of Switzerland c) United States of America
b) Russia d) China

6. Economic democracy is based on the importance of

a) economic rights and social equality c) Workplace democracy

b) Labour Rights d) Employment Guarantee

7. The leading Indian political thinker who Proposed Radical Democracy was

a) M.N.Roy c) Gandhi
b) Nehru d) Ambedkar

8. Radical Democracy is believed to be the

a) Power of the people c) Rule of Law

b) Local Community Rule d) Participatory Democracy

9. Protective democracy is based on

a) Equality c) Rights
b) Liberty d) Social security

10. The Marxist theory views the democracy in the social context of

a) Community c) Class analysis

b) Social Group d) Capitalist Class

11. W
 hich was the theory of Democracy favoured the collapse of capitalism and calls
for the revolutionary transformation of the society?

a) Classical Theory c) The Marxist theory

b) Egalitarian Theory d) The Elitist Theory

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 12. P
 luralism leads to defend their particular interests through government by
creating
a) Social Equilibrium c) Economic Equilibrium
b) competitive equilibrium d) Political Equality

13. One of the salient features of Indian Democracy is

a) Citizen’s Participation c) Secret Ballot
b) Parliamentary Democracy d) Universal Adult suffrage

II Answer the following questions very shortly

1. Define: Any one of the popular definitions of Democracy.
2. Explain: Pareto’s classification of the elites.
3. What are the essentials of radical democracy?
4. How do you explain the class analysis of Marx.
5. What does the term ‘polyarchy’ mean?
6. Mention few principles of Representative democracy.
7. What are the factors to have qualitative democracy?
III Answer the following questions shortly
1. Write a short note on M.N.Roy’s local republics in Radical democracy.
2. Describe the qualities of Elites in Pareto’s theory of elites.
3. Define: Robert Dahl’s view on Polyarchy.
4. What are the merits of participatory democracy?
5. Write about the view of B.R.Ambedkar on democracy.

IV Answer the following questions in detail

1. Explain the elitist theory of democracy.
2. Write an essay on achievements of Indian democracy in the political front.
3. Write an essay on achievements of Indian democracy in the economic front.

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 Reference books
1. Iain McLean and Alistart McMillan (2006),Oxford Concise Dictionary of Politics
(Indian Edition), Oxford University Press, New Delhi.
2. SushilaRamaswamy(2005),Political Theory: Ideas and Concepts, MacMillan India
Limited, New Delhi.
3. Andrew Heywood (2002), Politics (Second Edition), Palgrave Foundations, New
York.
4. Joseph A. Schumpeter (1980), Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy,S.Chand and
Company, New Delhi. (with introductory note by Tom Bottomore).
5. C.B.Macpherson (1977), Democratic Theory: Essays in Retrieval, Clarendon Press,
Oxford, London.

ICT Corner
DEMOCRACY

Through this activity you will

know which countries have
democratic Government.

DEMOCRACY MAP
Procedure:
Step - 1 Use the URL or QR code to open the DEMOCRACY MAP page.
Step - 2 Click on the Forward button placed on the bottom of the activity window to initiate
the activity.
Step - 3 A legend with colour codes are given at the bottom. With this legend, the countries
which have the democratic form of Government will be identified.

CITIZENSHIP URL:
https://www.nobelprize.org/educational/peace/democracy_map/
production/index.html

*Pictures are indicative

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