ESSENTIALS FOR THE SUCCESS OF DEMOCRACY
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INTRODUCTION: The term ‘democracy’ has been in use in the tradition of Western political thought since ancient times. It is derived from the Greek root ‘demos’ which means the people, `crazy’ stands for a rule or `government’. Thus, literally, democracy signifies ‘the rule of the people’. DEVELOPMENT OF THOUGHT: Democracy in Lincoln’s famous words is “Government of the people, for the people, by the people.” As a form of Government, it is the best. Democracy rules out the use of force. Decisions are not imposed but arrived at through negotiations and consensus. But a system which is based on the ballot rather than the bullet requires some essential conditions for its success. Social inequalities including disparities in wealth wreck democracy. Communalism, casteism, regionalism are all inimical to democracy. The success of democracy requires the absence of ignorance; proper education will produce a wise leadership and a vigilant public and ‘Eternal vigilance is the price of democracy’. A free and fair press is another vital necessity for democracy to flourish. It ventilates public opinion and enables the government to frame policies in the interests of the masses. No Democracy can succeed without strong and effective opposition. Strong opposition exercises a healthy restraint on the ruling party and prevents it from subjecting the people to arbitrary and despotic rule. It is to India’s credit that despite the absence of many essentials of democracy, it is still the world’s largest democracy. CONCLUSION: In short, the success of democracy lies on the above-enumerated essentials and ultimately ensures a good life to the citizens. |
Democracy is the latest, and the best form of government to be evolved by mankind. It has taken centuries of experimentation to arrive at it. But it is the only form that allows a man to live with dignity and promises him all opportunities to develop his potential and justify his existence.
There are certain conditions which are absolutely necessary for the successful functioning of a democratic government. One of the most important essentials is the constitution. Constitution implies a rule of law rather than of men. It curbs the despotic tendencies of the rulers and safeguards the rights of the people. It ensures that there is no arbitrariness in governing people and members belonging to different groups are given equal treatment.
The absence of militarism is another important requirement for the success of democracy. Democracy rules out the use of force. It is based on the recognition of the worth of man as man, implying widest possible opportunity of development to everyone. Since no two human beings can ever think alike, it is natural to come across dissenting opinions at every step, in every field. The true democratic spirit lies in overcoming dissent through discussion and persuasion and not through coercion. In a democracy, views are not imposed, views are shaped and moulded. Democracy inculcates among the people the habit of tolerance and compromise and teaches them to show due regard for the opinions and sentiments of others.
Democracy presumes social equality. Disparities in wealth are a great threat, democracy. A country in which a large number of people remain in abject, poverty while a handful of them have plenty and to spare cannot run efficient democratic institutions. Similarly, communalism, regionalism, caste and class distinctions wreck a democracy. If a democratic government does not eliminate social distinctions and provide equal opportunities to all, it is bound to be overthrown sooner or later.
Democracy requires not merely an absence of ignorance but also that the citizens are adequately educated. If knowledge remains scanty, fragmentary and confined to narrow circles and if the mass of humanity remains steeped in ignorance and error, there can be no prospects for the success of democracy. What is needed is to bring scientific knowledge to the doors of all, to universalise culture, to train the mind and to create the Socratic temper. Education makes citizens vigilant and also gives them the boldness to criticise government measures which are ill-conceived or harmful. In fact, education produces wise leadership and an enlightened and alert public.
The newspaper acts as a kind of liaison between the government and the people. It acquaints the people with the policy and principles of the government. At the same time, it reflects the public reaction to this policy and thus enables the government to modify it. Since it gives such extensive publicity to the movements of the ministers and other higher-ups, it exercises a very sobering influence on them. It does not let them forget that they are in office as the representatives of the people to whom they are finally answerable. Thus it keeps a powerful check on the corruption and tyranny of the government. It is perhaps this aspect of a newspaper’s function that prompted Thomas Jefferson to remark, “Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter”.
Perhaps the most important function of a newspaper in a democratic government is to spread political awareness among the public. An average citizen has neither capability, nor the will, nor even the time to formulate and express original opinions on most of the issues. He seeks guidance from the newspaper he subscribes to. The observations he makes in the circle of his friends with a flourish he has perhaps borrowed from that day’s editorial in his favourite newspaper. Thus a newspaper has a definite educative value. The success of democracy depends upon the judicious use of one’s vote, which is impossible without political education and a newspaper is the most effective source available to us for this type of education. This places a great responsibility upon the editors, the correspondents and the professional reviewers of a newspaper to furnish us with authentic news only.
Democracy implies dissent and debate. It is government by discussion and persuasion, not coercion. It is unfortunate that in India dissent is looked upon as treachery by those who are entrenched in the seats of power. Those who openly criticise and condemn the policies of the ruling party are described as traitors and fascists. Even when the government is pursuing an unrealistic and ill-conceived policy, it expects everyone to toe the line. It is rather sad that people in power do not realise that intolerance of dissent can hardly be conducive to the healthy functioning of a democracy.
For the health and efficiency of democracy, an effective, vigilant and working opposition is indispensable. No free large country has been without political parties. None has shown how a representative government could efficiently work in the absence of strong political parties. Effective opposition saves a country from turmoil; it safeguards it from coup de tats. If the party in power neglects public welfare, the voters can oust it and give power to the opposition. A conflict of ideas is anytime better than a clash of arms. Without opposition, the state has no elasticity, no true self-determination.
A constant probe into the activities of the government by the opposition keeps the government vigilant and prevents it from being arbitrary, In “Lowell’s opinion, “the constant presence of a recognised opposition is an obstacle to despotism.” With well-informed critics ever ready to expose the wrongs committed by the government and to bring to light its acts of omission and commission, the ruling party can hardly afford to be slack and negligent in the performance of its duties. An effective opposition keeps the government alert and active. It does not permit it to grow complacent and tardy.
Legislative excellence is promoted by a recognized opposition. Good legislation is possible only when the law is discussed threadbare before it enters the statute book. The opposition parties perform this function fairly well so that all defects in proposed laws are removed. In the absence of strong opposition, the ruling party can enact any laws. We already have the unfortunate experience of
such laws having been enacted during the Janata rule as well as Mrs Gandhi’s years when the opposition had been reduced to a farce.
Effective opposition also makes possible active and intelligent participation of the public in the affairs of the government. Party campaigns educational campaigns. Propaganda through the press, public meetings and pamphlets imparts political education to the masses and awakens them to their responsibility. The opposition keeps a nation’s mind alive as the rise and fall of the sweeping tide freshens the water of long ocean inlets. In fact, public opinion might be vague and ineffective if the opposition searchlight were not constantly turned on. Intelligent opposition brings to the individual citizen- a vision of the whole nation, otherwise distant in history, territory and future.’
The party system has, however, one serious drawback. It is believed that the primary function of the opposition is to oppose the party in power without caring for the interest of the nation. Even the good points of the party in power are condemned by the opposition. Thus the public business suffers a great deal and the interest of the nation is neglected. Disagreements keep the public divided into hostile camps. The spirit of rivalry and animosity pollutes the social life of the country.
The opposition, in order to be healthy and responsible and to prevent misuse of power by the Government, must be a highly disciplined group. A sense of responsibility and a desire to give topmost priority to public interest against personal or party interest would certainly boost its image in the public eye. On the contrary, lack of discipline and constructive approach inevitably leads to instability, confusion and reversal of economic progress. Unfortunately, Indian political parties are products of circumstances, and the leaders are in many cases leaders of the moment and for the moment. Political trickery and intrigue have taken the place of idealism, and cowardice and selfishness the place of courage and selfless service.
It is now quite a few years since we embarked upon a democratic experiment. Today, when we make an appraisal of our democracy, we find it still lacking in certain important requisites. A large majority of our people are still illiterate. Glaring disparities between the rich and the poor not only persist but have become accentuated. There is no economic security; food is scarce, poverty appalling and unemployment rampant. Caste and class exclusiveness still haunts our minds! Provincial and linguistic differences still create distrust and bitterness. In the absence of national integration, there is no feeling of fraternity anywhere in the country. A healthy and effective opposition is yet to be developed. The masses also lack civic probity. Corrupt and dishonest administration is eating into the very vitals of our democracy.
We are faced with formidable problems, yet as the world’s largest democracy we are marching ahead with courage and confidence in our effort to build a democratic and socialist society where everyone will have the fullest opportunities for development and shall be in a position to contribute his best to the well-being of the Indian people.
