WALK THROUGH DEMOCRACY

 

Democracy is derived from Greek word demokratia, coined from two words- demos meaning people and kratos meaning rule. Though the democracy has its origin in the ancient Greece but in almost 2500 years, democracy has developed several methods of check s and balances- elected and unelected institutions.

Democracy is possible in any well-bounded groups that are sufficiently independent of controls by outsiders. Early humans were hunters and gatherers, when they settled at a place and started practicing agriculture and trade, need was felt for public participation and hence, a government.

The Greeks were the first to practice democracies. Decisions were taken by votes in Athens. 

Aristotle said that while monarchies were for the benefits of the monarchs and oligoarchs for the benefit of men with means, democracies were for the benefit of men without means. But Plato was not in full agreement with Aristoltle. Athenian democracy was Kleptocracy- a state of unrestrained political corruption. Sparta practiced oligoarchy, Athens democracy. Sparta ruled over Athens and when they left, Athenians held a court to punish the supporters of Spartans.

 Socrates was given a punishment as declared a collaborator with Spartans, prompting Plato to dismiss Athenian Democracy as a Kleptocracy- a state of unrestrained political corruption.

If a society follows democratic credentials like equality, liberty, justice etc then it is democratic. In words of John Keane, when a democratically elected government ceases to be held accountable by a society weakened by poor health, low morale and joblessness, demagogues are prone to blindness and ineptitude.

Abraham Lincoln said that democracy is a government of the people, by the people and for the people. But with time and evolution of humans, it is not just limited to elected government. Democracy around the world has experienced dictatorship too. Emergency rules that jeopardizes all the institutions of a democracy.

 Democracy is a way of life, a freedom from hunger, humiliation and violence, respects for human rights. Democracy is saying no to every form of discrimination, human and non-human indignity, respecting  women, tenderness with children and social indignities and access to jobs.

India was under the British rule for over 200 years and our forefathers were not big fan of British democracy. Gandhiji used words like “sterile women” and “prostitute” for the British Parliamentary System. British system works only for partisan interest and not for national interests. Dr. Ambedkar described democracy in India as “only a top dressing on an Indian soil” which is essentially undemocratic. Dr. Ambedkar warned that only constitutional means and institutions should be used after the British rule instead of the means during the freedom movement. He also underscored the importance of social democracy for the success of political democracy. 

The Preamble of the largest democracy, the United States of America, mentions about the pursuit of happiness. If democracy is not related to happiness then why was it included at first place in the Preamble of the Constitution of India? 

Democracy has evolved way beyond elections. In order to strengthen any democratic institution, it is important that decentralization of power is done, redistributive public welfare policies that guarantee sufficient food, shelter, security, education, healthcare to downtrodden should be formulated.

Democracy is a powerful tool that gives voice to the voiceless and treats weak at par with strong. A mature democracy never leaves anyone behind and it is time that people around the world start understanding the true meaning of democracy and create a balance among all the institutions.