Some of the modern

developments in democracy
. Direct democracy
In direct democracy, citizens participate directly in decision-making processes. This is usually done through
referendums, initiatives, or town hall meetings. Direct democracy has become more prevalent in modern times,
especially with the rise of the internet, which makes it easier for people to participate in decision-making
processes remotely

Electronic voting: Electronic voting has become increasingly common in modern democracies, making it easier
and more efficient for citizens to vote. Electronic voting has been used in many countries, including the United
States, Brazil, and India.

Multiculturalism and diversity

In modern democracies, there is a growing recognition of the importance of diversity and multiculturalism.
Many countries have implemented policies to promote diversity and ensure that minority groups have a voice in
government.
• Decentralisation Decentralisation refers to the transfer of power
from central government to local governments or other bodies. It
can help to promote democracy by giving citizens more say in
decision-making processes.
• Social media Social media has become a powerful tool for
promoting democracy and citizen participation. Social media
platforms allow citizens to share information and ideas, mobilise
support for causes and hold governments accountable. Overall, the
modern developments in the idea of democracy reflect a growing
recognition of the importance of citizen participation, diversity, and
accountability in government.
• Deliberative democracy This is a form of democracy that
emphasizes the importance of informed and respectful public
deliberation. Deliberative democracy involves citizens coming
together to discuss and debate policy issues in a structured and
respectful way, with the aim of reaching a consensus or
compromise.
• Participatory budgeting: This is a process where citizens are directly
involved in deciding how public funds should be spent. Participatory
budgeting has been used in many cities around the world, and it is seen
to increase citizen engagement and transparency in government
spending.
• Open government: This type of government refers to the idea of making
government more transparent, accountable and accessible to citizens.
This can include making government data available to the public,
providing access to government meetings and documents, and enabling
citizen participation in decision-making processes.
• Feminist democracy: This is a form of democracy that emphasises the
importance of gender equality and women’s participation in political
decision-making. Feminist democracy recognises that women have often
been marginalised in traditional democratic structures and seeks to
promote gender equality and women’s rights. Overall, these modern
developments in the idea of democracy reflect a growing recognition of
the importance of citizen participation, transparency and accountability
in democratic governance.
• Transnational democracy: This is a form of democracy that
emphasizes the importance of democratic decision-making at the
global level. It involves efforts to enhance democracy in
international organisations, such as the United Nations and to
create new forms of global governance that are more democratic
and accountable.
• Representative democracy Representative democracy means
people participate indirectly in the decision-making process. They
choose their representatives through an election process. These
representatives meet and make decisions for the entire population.
• Based on the above features the meaning and significance of liberal
democracy are subjects of disagreement among theorists, leading
to different interpretations and perspectives on its core aspects.
• Pluralism Pluralist theorists argue that liberal democracy ensures
a genuine and healthy dispersal of political power. They view
society as a composition of diverse interest groups competing for
influence, with democratic processes providing a platform for the
expression and negotiation of these competing interests. Pluralists
emphasise the importance of representation and the ability of
individuals and groups to participate in decision- making
processes.Robert Dahl is one of the most influential political
scientists in the study of democracy and pluralism. In his book
Polyarchy: Participation and Opposition (1971), Dahl emphasises
the importance of inclusive participation and the existence of
multiple organized groups as key elements of pluralistic
democracies. He argues that democracy thrives when there is a
multitude of interest groups competing for influence, and when
citizens have ample opportunities to participate in political
decision-making.
• Elitism: In contrast to pluralism, elitist theorists contend that political
power is concentrated among a small, influential elite within liberal
democracy. They argue that despite the appearance of broad
participation, key decisions are ultimately made by the privileged ones
who possess the resources, connections, or expertise to wield
significant influence. Elitist perspectives question the extent to which
liberal democracy genuinely disperses power among the population.
• Corporatism: Corporatist theorists emphasise the role of organised
interest groups and associations in the functioning of liberal
democracy. They argue that democratic processes should involve close
cooperation and collaboration between the government, business
sectors, labour unions and other societal groups. Corporatism aims to
balance competing interests and promote social harmony by providing
these groups with a formal role in policymaking.
• Marxism: From a Marxist perspective, liberal democracy is seen as a form
of ‘bourgeois’ or ‘capitalist’ democracy that maintains economic
inequalities and serves the interests of the ruling class. Marxist theorists
argue that true political equality cannot coexist with economic inequality.
They view liberal democracy as a mechanism that perpetuates class
divisions and advocates for the overthrow of capitalism to establish a
more egalitarian and socialist system.
 Procedural and Substantive Accounts of Democracy
Procedural democracy refers to a democratic system in
which the emphasis is on the procedures, rules and
processes that govern the political system rather than on
specific outcomes or policies. This type of democracy places
a strong emphasis on fair and free elections, the rule of law
and the protection of individual rights and freedoms. In
procedural democracy, political decisions are made through
established and transparent procedures that are designed to
ensure that all voices are heard and decisions are made
through a process of consensus- building and compromise.
This type of democracy values the importance of procedural
fairness, the impartiality of institutions, and the
accountability of elected officials.
• Substantive democracy is a form of democracy that emphasises the
achievement of specific outcomes, such as social and economic
equality, protection of individual rights and the promotion of certain
values or ideals. Unlike procedural democracy, which focuses on the
fairness and transparency of decision-making processes, substantive
democracy is concerned with the actual results of those decisions and
their impact on society. Under substantive democracy, the government is
responsible for promoting the welfare of its citizens and ensuring that
their basic needs are met, such as access to education, healthcare,
housing and employment.
• While procedural democracy emphasises fair and inclusive electoral
processes, substantive democracy goes beyond the formalities and
aims to achieve meaningful outcomes and social justice. Substantive
democracy focuses on the quality of democracy, emphasising the
pursuit of economic, social, and cultural rights, equality, and the welfare
of all citizens.
• Successful democracy is a comprehensive concept that includes both
the way it functions (procedural aspects) and the values it upholds
(substantive aspects).
• Procedural aspects consist of elements like political equality, efficient
institutions, fair elections, governing bodies, and high voter participation.
• Substantive aspects involve factors such as economic equality among
citizens, acceptance of diverse viewpoints, holding leaders accountable,
adherence to rules, and active citizen involvement in politics.
• Both sets of aspects are interrelated and rely on each other. They
mutually strengthen each other but can also hinder each other. For
instance, socio- economic inequality can obstruct the attainment of
political equality. Therefore, the effective operation of the procedural
elements of democracy depends on certain elements of the substantive
side, such as tolerance and equality.
• Substantive democracy, also known as “real” or “effective” democracy,
• Is a concept that goes beyond the mere formal or procedural aspects of
democratic governance.
• • It places a strong emphasis on the actual outcomes and the quality of
democracy, as opposed to merely focusing on the existence of democratic
institutions and procedures.
• • In substantive democracy, the core idea is to ensure that the principles
and values of democracy are not only written into law but are genuinely
upheld and experienced by the population.
• Characteristics of substantive democracy
• Equality and Inclusivity: Substantive democracy aims to achieve social and
political equality. It involves policies and practices that ensure that all
citizens, regardless of their background, have an equal opportunity to
participate in the political process and enjoy the benefits of democracy.
• Protection of Individual Rights:Substantive democracy places a strong
emphasis on protecting individual rights and civil liberties. These rights
include freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly,
and the right to a fair trial. The government and institutions must actively
protect these rights from infringement by both the state and non-state
actors.
• Rule of Law: The rule of law is a fundamental element of substantive
democracy. It means that laws are applied equally to all citizens,
including those in positions of power. No one is above the law.An
independent and impartial judiciary is crucial in upholding the rule of
law.
•Accountability and Transparency: Substantive democracy requires that
public officials and institutions are accountable for their actions.
Accountability mechanisms, such as free and fair elections, oversight,
and checks and balances, are put in place to ensure that government
officials answer to the public.Transparency in government operations,
decision-making, and public policy is essential. Citizens should have
access to information about government actions and decisions.
• Inclusive Decision-Making Decision-making processes should be inclusive
and should take into account the diverse perspectives and interests of the
population. Policies and laws should reflect the needs and desires of the
broader society.
• Procedural democracy, also known as “formal democracy,”
emphasizes the importance of democratic processes and
institutions, which serve as the framework for governing a society.
• It primarily focuses on the procedures and mechanisms through
which political decisions are made and implemented.
• In procedural democracy, the emphasis is on the “how” of
democracy-how elections are conducted, how laws are made,
and how governance institutions function.
• Features of Procedural Democracy
• Free and Fair Elections A cornerstone of procedural
democracy is the organization of free and fair elections. These
elections enable citizens to choose their leaders and
representatives through a competitive, transparent, and
impartial process
• Universal suffrage (the right to vote for all eligible citizens)
• Regular election cycles
• Secret ballots
Independent election commission
• Competitive Political Parties: A variety of political parties compete
for elected positions in a procedural democracy. Citizens can choose
among multiple parties, each with its own platforms and policies.The
competition among parties and candidates is essential for a vibrant
and dynamic political system.
• In India, procedural democracy has been widely acknowledged for its
effective functioning. Regular elections occur, and the country has
not experienced a military coup.
• The three constitutionally mandated institutions – the Supreme
Court, high courts, and the Election Commission.
 CONTEMPORARY INNOVATIONS IN DEMOCRACY
►Contemporary innovations in democracy refer to new ideas and
practices that have emerged in recent years aimed at improving
democratic governance and increasing public participation in decision-
making. Some examples of contemporary innovations in democracy
include:
•E-democracy: This involves the use of technology to enhance
democratic processes, such as electronic voting, online consultations
and participatory budgeting. E-democracy allows citizens to participate
more easily and conveniently in democratic decision- making
processes, increasing transparency and accountability.
• Deliberative democracy: This involves bringing together diverse groups
of people to engage in reasoned and respectful dialogue about
important issues. Deliberative democracy aims to promote a more
informed and thoughtful decision-making process, ensuring that
decisions are made based on the best available evidence and in
consideration of diverse perspectives.
• Citizen assemblies: These are randomly selected groups of citizens who
come together to focus on important issues and make recommendations
for policy decisions. Citizen assemblies are often used to ensure broader
public input in decision-making processes and to promote more inclusive
and participatory democracy.
• Liquid democracy: This is a hybrid of direct and representative democracy
that allows citizens to delegate their voting power to others they trust on
specific issues, while retaining the ability to vote directly on other issues.
Liquid democracy aims to increase citizen participation and promote more
flexible and responsive decision-making.
• Open government: This refers to the practice of making government data
and decision-making processes more transparent and accessible to the
public. Open government aims to increase public trust and engagement in
the democratic process by ensuring that citizens have access to the
information they need to hold their government accountable.
• Electronic voting
• Participatory budgeting
• Social media:
• Open data: