"the challenges faced by indian democracy"
DESCRIPTION
The new generations bear the responsibility laid upon them by the fathers of the constitution to make this experiment a success. The whole world is watching India’s experiment in democracy.TRANSCRIPT
KERALA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OFTEACHER EDCUATION
KOLLAM – 691 009
Web: www. Kucte.org
SEMESTER – II
ONLINE ASSIGnMENT
EDU 09.10: THEORITICAL BASE OF
SOCIAL SCIENCE EDUCATION.
2
KERALA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OFTEACHER EDCUATION
KOLLAM – 691 009
Web: www. Kucte.org
SEMESTER – II
ONLINE ASSIGnMENT
Name of Trainee: PRAJEESH RAJ.P Subject: SOCIAL SCIENCE
Candidate Code: 13973019 Year : 2013-2014
Certified Bonafide Record:
Date:17/9/2014 . Assistant ProfessorPlace: Kollam.
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TOPIC:-
THE CHALLENGES
FACED BY INDIAN
DEMOCRACY
INDEX
SL. NO
CONTENT PAGE NO.
1. Introduction 1
2. Data of the study 2-11
3. Conclusion 12
4. Suggestion 13
5. References 14
1
Introduction
The term democracy is derived from ‘demos’ and ‘Cratia’
which respectively mean people and power; thus democracy means
“Power in the hands of the people”. Democracy is a form of
government where sovereignty belongs to the people; the
government is representative of the people and responsible to them;
the purpose of the state is welfare of the people which includes the
development of personalities of the citizens. It is thus not only a
form of government but also a type of state as well as an order of
society. According to Bassett, Democracy is essentially a matter of
political method. Democracy is not a particular kind of civilization. It
is rather a civilized way of taking political action. Democracy
reconciles freedom with the need for laws and its enforcement. It
may be defined as “a political method by which every citizen has the
opportunity of participating through discussion in an attempt to
reach voluntary agreements as to what shall be done for the good of
the community as whole”. In fact democracy is not only a form of
government, it is also a way of life.
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Data of the study
DEMOCRACY
Democracy is a form of government in which all eligible citizens are
meant to participate equally – either directly or, through elected
representatives, indirectly – in the proposal, development and
establishment of the laws by which their society is run. The term
originates from the Greek (demokratia) "Rule of the people", which
was found from (Demos) "people" and (kratos) "power" or "rule" in
the 5th century BCE to denote the political systems then existing in
Greek city-states, notably Athens; the term is an antonym to
(aristokratia) "Rule of an elite". While theoretically these definitions
are in opposition, in practice the distinction has been blurred
historically. The political system of Classical Athens, for example,
granted democratic citizenship to an elite class of free men and
excluded slaves and women from political participation. In virtually
all democratic governments throughout ancient and modern history,
democratic citizenship consisted of an elite class until full
enfranchisement was won for all adult citizens in most modern
democracies through the suffrage movements of the 19th and 20th
centuries. The English word dates to the 16th century, from the
older Middle French and Middle Latin equivalents.
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Democracy contrasts with forms of government where
power is either held by an individual, as in an absolute monarchy, or
where power is held by a small number of individuals, as in an
oligarchy. Nevertheless, these oppositions, inherited from Greek
philosophy, are now ambiguous because contemporary
governments have mixed democratic, oligarchic, and monarchic
elements. Karl Popper defined democracy in contrast to dictatorship
or tyranny, thus focusing on opportunities for the people to control
their leaders and to oust them without the need for a revolution.
Several variants of democracy exist, but there are two basic forms,
both of which concern how the whole body of all eligible citizens
executes its will. One form of democracy is direct democracy, in
which all eligible citizens have direct and active participation in the
political decision making. In most modern democracies, the whole
body of eligible citizens remains the sovereign power but political
power is exercised indirectly through elected representatives; this is
called a representative democracy or democratic republic.
INDIAN DEMOCRACY
India is the seventh largest (by area) and the second most populous
country in the world, with roughly one-sixth of its population, of
about a billion and a quarter. It is the world's largest democracy by
electorate. It is one of the world's oldest civilizations, yet a very
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young nation. This is due to the fact that it was under Moghul
control for much of its history until its colonization by European
powers, before finally gaining its freedom in 1947 after a long
independence movement initiated by individuals such as Mahatma
Gandhi. Elections to its Parliament are held once every 5 years.
Currently, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Damodardas Modi is the
head of the government, enjoying a majority in the Parliament, while
President Pranab Mukherjee, is the head of state. India is a
constitutional republic governed under the world's longest written
constitution, federally consisting of 29 states and seven centrally
administered union territories, with New Delhi as the nation's
capital. The country has six main national parties: the Indian
National Congress (INC), BhartiyaJanta Party (BJP), Communist Party
of India (CPI) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)),
BahujanSamaj Party (BSP) and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
At the level of its states, many regional parties stand for elections to
state legislatures, every five years.Inrajyasabha elections will be
held for every 6 years.
Factors affecting democracy
The Indian democracy is the best understood by focusing on how
power is divided. The earliest forms of Republics and Kingdoms in
India were called Jana and Mahajanapada.
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Regions
India is very densely populated. Some advocate splitting some
twenty nine states and seven union territories. It is the 2nd-most
populated country in the world.
Other factors
Factors such as education, corruption, women's issues, student
politics, leadership strategies and the design of political institutions
affect national and local politics. Some other factors such as the
caste issue, environment policy, new long-term investment in the
economy by foreigners etc., also have a bearing. Factors such as
education, corruption, women's issues, student politics, and
criminalization of politics, leadership strategies and the design of
political institutions affect national and local politics. Some other
factors such as the caste issue, environment policy, new long-term
investment in the economy by foreigners etc., also have a bearing.
Challenges of Indian Democracy
No Political system work in vacuum. Every political system has
to work in particular and historical factors of the concerned society.
It is no fact that every political system is conditioned by the
environment in which it operates. Indian democracy can’t be an
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exception to this universal rule and it is undoubtedly conditioned by
a number of social and economic factors. Which are proving
alarming challenges to Indian democracy.
Impact of Social Inequalities of Indian democracy
Social inequality indispensable for the success of democracy.
Social equality means that there should be no discrimination against
citizens on the basis of caste, class, colour, creed, sex and language.
But in practice social inequalities exist in India. Castism is the main
reason for social inequality. Society is divided into higher and lower
castes each hating the other.
In Indian democracy ultimate power is vested with the marses.
But majority of the people in India are poor. Efficient people keep on
acquiring more and more wealth and poverty. While the poor
continue to get poorer. Poverty is the root cause of various evils.
The poor people do not think about the elections even. He can’t
even use his right to vote independently. During the elections the
rich distribute blankets, Cycles, serving machines and other things
among the poor. So that they can get the vote of the poor.
The attitude of the people has become narrow because of
social inequality. Every class thinks in terms of its own interest and
not national interest. The upper castes have their monopoly
established in the administration. Majority of the people remains in
different to political activities because of social in equality. Thus
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establishment of social equality is essential for successful
democracy.
Impact of Illiteracy on Democracy
Education is the very basis of good life and it is all dark in the
absence of democracy. Democracy survives on the basis of the
support from national minded citizens and national minded
intelligent citizens are prepared through education. An uneducated
person lacks confidence and possesses no capacity to understand
and solve the problems facing the country. An illiterate person has a
narrow outlook towards life and believes in castism, communication
and religiolism.
In India, healthy public opinion can’t be developed because of
illiteracy. So the masses in India should be literate and alert for the
success of Democracy.
Impact of violence on Democracy
Violence is becoming a dominant aspect of political life of our
country. In extreme form violence may cause death of individuals.
There are several forms of violence in evidence in India.
1. Inter communal violence.
2. Political violence
3. Electoral violence
4. Violence by terrorist organization
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Violence is becoming a dominant aspect of political life of our
country. People report to violence for different purpose and with
different motives.
The following steps would minimize the Role of violence in
Indian politics.
1. The factors which give rise to violence must be clearly
identified and dealt without their proper identification the
use of violence can hardly be checked.
2. Religious fundamentalism must not be encouraged,
Religious freedom must be allowed but religious
fundamentalism should be tolerate in any way.
3. Political parties based on religious and casts must be
banned because their activities often become responsible
for communal and caste roots.
In order to such violence during election a magistrate should
be designated in every constituency. He should have the
responsibility of dialing with case of electoral violence before
and during the time of polling.
Necessary Conditions
There is no doubt that democracy, as it exists today
suffer from various defects. There are some political
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philosophers suggest some remedies to cure the present ills is
democracy. The necessary conditions are:-
1. Education: - Democracy will be success in a state where
people are educated. Lack of commonsense is dangerous in
a democracy. This defect can be remedied by universal
education and wide dissemination of knowledge.
2. Vigilance: - Alertness of the people is essential condition
without which the true idea of democracy can’t be realized.
Constant vigilance is the price of liberty.
3. Civil Sense: - The citizens should possess a high degree of
civic sense. They should take a living and healthy interest in
the public life of their country.
4. Peace and order: - Democracy is a success is a society
where peace and order prevail.
5. Spirit of Toleration: - A keen spirit of toleration is
essential for constructive criticism and healthy discussion.
6. Well organized party system:- Democracy and party
system go hand in hand. Every political party has a clear
policy and programs.
7. Effective opposition: - A strong and effective opposition is
necessary for the success of democracy.
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8. Freedom of speech, Association and Press: -Individual
liberty is the core of democracy. These freedoms allow a
free scope for the proper expansion of human personality.
9. Absence of poverty:- In a society where the majority are
living in poverty democracy can’t be a success.
10. Removal of gross inequalities of wealth: - Extreme
wealth impacts the success of democracy to a great extent.
Strength of Indian Democracy
1. Common Welfare: -Only in a democratic society, common
welfare can be promoted. The government will respond to the
needs of all, since power of sovereignty vested in all.
2. Rule of law: - It is only in a democracy that the rule of
persons and classes is replaced by the “rule of law”, where
fundamental rights are guaranteed and treated as limitations
upon the government.
3. Develops the spirit of patriotism:- Democracy strengthens
the love of country because citizens feel that the government
is their own creation and rules are their servants rather than
masters.”
4. Stable Government: - Democracy serves as a training school
for citizenship; it strengthens patriotism and there by minimize
the possibilities of discontent and revolution.
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5. Self-government:- Democracy is a self-government. It is a
government of the people, by the people, for the people.
Weakness of Indian Democracy
1. Inefficiency: -The political leaders are more busy in forming
political alliances and there by maintaining their position rather
than looking after the administration.
2. Expensive: - It is very expensive type of government
parliaments, cabinets, election, machinery are all a costly
affaires and a burden on the tax payers.
3. Wrong political Education: - Democracy provides political
education, but the type of education it provides is wrong on
certain occasions.
4. Can’t meet emergencies: - It is pointed out that
democracies are unfit to meet emergencies like economic
depression. The government had to assume dictatorial powers
in democratic states.
5. Based on quantity: - Democracy is not concerned with the
quality of the voter, his ability, standard of education and his
interest in politics. It only considers the number of votes cast.
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CONCLUSION
To conclude, the future of Indian democracy hangs in the
balance. It is standing on cross round, leading to people’s
democracy. There is no denying fact that the political democracy as
it exists is most of the capitalistic states of the world today, suffers
from various drawbacks. But democracy itself is not at fault. The
defect is laid on the socio economic system in which it is made to fit.
It will take time to remove all the challenges in Indian democracy.
The new generations bear the responsibility laid upon them by the
fathers of the constitution to make this experiment a success. The
whole world is watching India’s experiment in democracy.
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SUGGESTIONS
1. Political parties based on religious and caste must be banned
because their activities often become responsible for
communal and caste riots.
2. Establishment of social equality
3. By executing the plans successfully, by developing our
economy rapidly, that employment will be possible and
comfortable economic life for all assumed.
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REFERENCES
S.L. Kalely, ‘Political science theory’.
Prof. T.R. Kuttikrishnan, ‘Political Science’.
Khatri, Naresh, ‘Anatomy of Indian Brand of Crony Capitalism’, 2013.
Kohli, Suresh, ‘Corruption in India: The Growing Evil’, 1975.
Dwivedy, Surendranath, ‘Political Corruption in India’, 1967.
Gupta, K. N., ‘Corruption in India’, 2001.
Halayya, M., ‘Corruption in India,’ 1985.
Somiah, C.G, ‘The honest always stand-alone’, 2010.