Of all the forms of government, democracy is, no doubt, the best. It is the rule of the people of the, by them and for their welfare. One of the most prominent Abraham Lincoln’,s oft- quoted definition of democracy in the Gettysburg address ( 1863) has significance. He advocated that “Democracy is government of the people, by the people, and for the people”. This sort of definition is drastically and dramatically being changed as ” Democracy is the government off the people, bye the people, and Far the people “. People who are at stakes are just doing contrary of this definition. The role of the people in the composition of the government makes it the government makes it the government of the people, but it would be a democracy if it is controlled by the people. This would mean that the people should have freedoms and liberties and rights to check the dictatorial tendencies, if any, of the government.
In the west, which is characterised by liberal democratic spirit, democracy was a latter addition. The major features of that democracy i,e participation control and welfarism entered the western world in this order. It was like as control first , participation latter and welfarism, last of all. Successful government never ignores the masses that work in fields and factories. Right to hold opinions is never suppressed in a true democracy. The laws are framed according to democratic ideas and ideals. Democracy avoids conflicts and confrontation and creates a peaceful atmosphere for discussion and compromise. It is important to note that the success of democracy depends largely on enlightened masses, honest citizens.
Democracy is based on the system of popular sovereignty. Therefore, democratic government is an accountable system. In democracy are made accountable to people therefore democracy acts as a safeguard for liberty and opposes authoritarianism. It is based on philosophy of equality, which is applied through the principle of one person one vote. In democracy citizens have various rights which are constitutionally guarantee. Therefore, democracy is best system to realise the idea of liberty, equality, and justice.
One of the biggest challenge in front of the Indian democracy is the average type of people who are ruling at the different levels. In India, democracy is an average type of rule where excellence is ignored.
Democracy believes in decision-making process which is based on persuasion and accommodation of veiws. In democracy, freedom of press also exists to maximum extent. Therefore, in democracy common people become aware about policy programme, success, and failure of government. Thus, it creates awareness among the citizen. Democracy is the best system to secure national integration in a plural society like India, because in a plural society. Parliament acts as a forum, where various identity are represented and their veiws are expressed and accommodated in the decision making process. This acts as psychological basis for national integration. Democracy is system which has tendency to become mobocracy. This type of future course of democracy is prevalent in Indian societies these days. As we know that democracy operates on the basis of universal adult franchise and majority rule. Therefore, in democracy number prevails over quality as a result of this, democracy becomes an inefficient system. Women don’t feel themselves to be safe in India.
Well, this is such a matter of grave concern matter for democratic government in India. Minorities are also being threatened in India by some fringe groups which are politically motivated. This will lead into regionalism, civil war within the four walls of the country. One of the biggest challenge in front of the Indian democracy is the average type of people who are ruling at the different levels. In India, democracy is an average type of rule where excellence is ignored. Apart from this unrest occurring in different states also possess a very biggest threat to Indian democracy, especially in Kashmir where none of the mainstream political parties are ready to be in the battle field. If we want our democracy to survive, we should be much more vigilant and the people should be more educated to realise the importance of democratic values. We must enlighten the masses so that they may be in a position to assert their democracy in real sense of the term.
(The author is a freelancer. His views are personal)
