INTRODUCTION

Democracy is derived from two Greek words “demos” and “kratos” meaning people and power
respectively. It is a form of government where power resides in the people. It can also be
considered as the Government of the majority with its own features and elements. In the well
known phrase of Abraham Lincoln, “democracy is government of the people, by the people and
for the people”. Depending on the amount of society presented in a specific area, democracy
can be exercised directly by the people and indirectly through their elected agents. This
brochure will outline the various aspects of democratic system.

ASPECTS OF DEMOCRACY
When we say aspects by democracy we are referring to the various elements or characters that
contribute to a well organized and harmonized democratic system. This are the main things
that shows what democracy stands for and how it works. Some of the main aspects include:

1) Participation of citizens
It refers to the involvement of citizens in the decision making process that requires their
activities. This activities takes different forms including political, cultural, social and economical
participation. They can be conducted through direct vote by the people or in the representative
(indirect) democracy that they get to choose who represents them and have free voice to
express their opinions. When we say participation on thing that comes to our heads is that
voting, but participation does not necessarily mean voting on election day, it is also having
public debate, town meetings, peaceful protests and so many more.

Public participation is more effective when practiced in our different daily life activities that
requires our involvement. One best example for this is volunteering programs. Volunteerism
has evolved significantly from its early days of informal acts of services to a structured force for
community development. Let’s consider the example of community cleaning events, this
activity often requires residents volunteering to clean their surroundings. Such volunteering
addresses environmental pollution problem and fosters the sense of citizen responsibilities.
 2) Rule of law
The rule of law is a principle referring to the way by which states are governed. It means that all
entities, including the government must adhere to the supremacy of the law. The rule of law
plays a key role in promoting peaceful, just and inclusive society ensuring sustainable
development. The rule of law is closely linked with the idea of democracy. A democratic state
under the Rule of law is a state where citizens elect their leaders and the government is bound
by the law, while also helping to ensure that the law is respected among the citizens.

Rule of law can be applied through different aspects, one best example for this can be
prosecuting a police man that slap cuffs and haul a civilian with no valid reasons. Here the rule
of law comes handy stating that no person, government entity or government official is above
the law.

3) Accountability AND TRANSPARENCY

Transparency and Accountability are foundational principles that ensure the government
operates openly and responsibly enabling citizens to participate effectively in governance.
Transparency allows citizens to be informed about government actions, while accountability
ensures that those in power are responsible for their decisions. This two terms are closely tied
because accounting serves as a means through which transparency is achieved. In such a way
accountability and transparency help create better policies, improve public services and stop
the abuse of power as both concepts are essential aspects for democratic governance.

E-governance is one of the most prominent examples that demonstrates how accountability
and transparency work together. The rise of E-governance has revolutionized accountability
and transparency by leveraging technology, platforms that provide online access to land
records, income certificates and other public services. It has reduced bureaucratic inefficiencies
and ensures citizens friendly service delivery.

4) SECULARISM
Secularism is a political principle that separates religion from political realm. This aspect
reduces ties between the government and state religion, replaces laws based on scripture with
civil laws and eliminates discrimination on the basis of religion.

Secularism provides a vital frame work for ensuring equality, freedom and fairness throughout
society in politics, education, the law and elsewhere for religious believers and the nonreligious
alike.
One of the best examples of secularism in a democratic governance is seen in India. In India, the
constitution guarantees religious freedom to all citizens. This means that people are free to
practice their religion without fear of discrimination and prosecution.

5) POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY
Sovereignty in a democratic concept has a core meaning of supreme authority within a territory
but first, the holder of sovereignty must possesses authority. As we go through popular
sovereignty it refers to government based on the consent of the people. The government’s
source of authority is the people, and the power is not legitimate if it disregards the will of the
people. Government established by the free will of the people is expected to serve the people,
who have sovereignty or supreme of power. The founding of the United States and the framing
of its Constitution heralded the idea of popular sovereignty as the standard by which popular
government should be established and sustained.

This idea was practically demonstrated during the founding of the American’s in the late 18th
century, has become a world-class standard of legitimacy for governments in the 21st century.
No country can realistically claim to be a democracy unless it proclaims constitutionally and
implements functionally the principle of popular sovereignty.

6) MAJORITY RULE MINORITY RIGHT

Namely, when something is voted on, the side with the most votes wins. Citizens in a
democracy understand this principle whether it concerns an election, a legislative bill, a union-
management agreement or a shareholder motion in a corporation. The majority vote (or in
some cases a plurality of votes when there are more than two choices) decides an election or
an issue. As a matter of general governance, however, super-majorities or consensus decision
are impractical and undermine democracy if required for regular decision-making or passing
legislation. Again, minority interests then prevail over the general will. There is minority rule,
not majority rule.

In general, Majority rule means the decisions are made based on what the most of people want
while Minority rights refers to even if the majority makes decisions, the rights and freedoms of
individuals or groups in the minority must be protected. One major demonstrator for this
concept is the electoral process. In election, the group or individual with high votes leads the
state. This is the direct application of majority rule. Even though the majority wins the minority
still have guaranteed place in the democratic process.