DEMOCRATIC POLITICS CLASS-IX

CHAPTER 1 What is Democracy? Why Democracy?

Democratic government
-Each adult citizen has a vote
-Each vote has one value
-Free and fair elections are held.

Non-democratic government
-Election do not offer a choice and fair opportunity
-Rulers are not elected by the people
-The rulers have unlimited power.
Why define democracy?
Before we proceed further, let us first take note of an objection by Merry. She
does not like this way of defining democracy and wants to ask some basic
questions. Her teacher Matilda Lyngdoh responds to her questions, as other
classmates join the discussion:

Merry: Ma’am, I don’t like this idea. First, we spend time discussing democracy
and then we want to find out the meaning of democracy. I mean logically
shouldn’t we have approached it the other way round? Shouldn’t the meaning
have come first and then the example?

Lyngdoh Madam: I can see your point. But that is not how we reason in everyday
life. We use words like pen, rain or love. Do we wait to have a definition of these
words before we use them? Come to think of it, do we have clear definition of
these words? It is only by using a word that we understand its meaning.
Merry: But then why do we need definitions at all?

Lyngdoh Madam: We need a definition only when we come across a difficulty in the use
of a word. We need a definition of rain only when we wish to distinguish it from, say,
drizzle or cloudburst. The same is true for democracy. We need a clear definition only
because people use it for different purposes, because very different kinds of governments
call themselves democracy.

Ribiang: But why do we need to work on a definition? The other day you quoted
Abraham Lincoln to us: “Democracy is government of the people, by the people and for
the people”. We in Meghalaya always ruled ourselves. That is accepted by everyone. Why
do we need to change that?

Lyngdoh Madam: I am not saying we need to change it. I too find this definition very
beautiful. But we don’t know if this is the best way of defining unless we think about it
ourselves. We must not accept something just because it is famous, just because
everyone accepts it.
Yolanda: Ma’am, can I suggest something? We don’t need to look for any definition. I
read somewhere that the word democracy comes from a Greek word ‘Demokratia’. In
Greek ‘demos’ means people and ‘kratia’ means rule. Originally, democracy is rule by the
people. This is the correct meaning. Where is the need to debate?

Lyngdoh Madam: That is also a very helpful way of thinking about this matter. I would
just say that this does not always work. A word does not remain tied to its origin. Just
think of computers. Originally, they were used for computing, that is to say calculating,
very difficult mathematical sums. These were very powerful calculators. But nowadays
very few people use computers for computing sums. They use it for writing, for designing,
for listening to music and for watching films. Words remain the same but their meaning
can change with time. In that case it is not very useful to look at the origins of a word.

Merry: Ma’am, so basically what you are saying is that there is no shortcut to our thinking
about the matter ourselves. We have to think about its meaning and evolve a definition.
Lyngdoh Madam: You got me right. Let us get on with it now.
A simple definition of democracy
Democracy is a form of government in which the rulers are elected by the
people.

Features of Democracy
1. Majority Rule -Decisions are made based on majority opinion. The party with
the majority forms the government.

2. Free and Fair Elections- Elections are held at regular intervals. People have the
right to choose their representatives. Elections should be free from corruption,
manipulation, and unfair practices.

3. Universal Adult Franchise - Every adult citizen (usually 18 years and above)
has the right to vote. No discrimination based on caste, religion, gender, or
economic status.
4. Rule of Law - Everyone is equal before the law, including leaders. Laws apply
equally to all citizens.

5. Rights and Freedoms- Citizens enjoy fundamental rights like freedom of speech,
expression, religion, and equality. The government is expected to protect these rights.

6. Accountable Government- The government is responsible to the people. Citizens

can question and criticize the government. Transparency and accountability are key
elements.

7. Separation of Powers- Democracy works on the principle of the division of power

among Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary.

8. Respect for Diversity- Democracy respects different languages, cultures, religions,

and communities. It promotes harmony and peaceful coexistence.
1st feature of democracy - Major decisions by elected leaders
I. Case Study: General Pervez Musharraf in Pakistan

What Happened:
In October 1999, General Pervez Musharraf, the army chief of Pakistan, led a
military coup and overthrew the elected government.
(Military coup means taking over the existing leadership of government in any
country by military. The new government is established and run by military)

He declared himself the ‘Chief Executive’ (head) of the country and later became
the President of Pakistan in 2002.

In 2002, he held a referendum (direct vote in which all the people are asked to
vote for a particular candidate) that gave him extended powers for 5 years, but
the process was considered neither free nor fair.
Legal Changes:
In 2002, General Musharraf issued a Legal Framework Order - an order issued by the
General Pervez Musharraf which amended the constitution of Pakistan. According to this
order, the President could dismiss the national or provincial assemblies.

The elected representatives had limited power, and the real authority remained with the
military and the President.

Was this a Democracy?

No, Even though elections were held, the ultimate power remained with an unelected
military leader.

The judiciary and media were under control, and opposition voices were suppressed.

This case shows that just holding elections does not make a country democratic unless
people have real power to choose and change their leaders.
General Pervez Musharraf
 2nd feature of democracy - Free and fair elections
II. Case Study: Are Elections in China Free and Fair?
The Situation:
•China holds elections every 5 years to elect the country’s Parliament called Quanguo
Renmin Daibiao Dahui or National People’s Congress (NPC).
•The NPC is the highest body that makes laws and decisions and has the power to appoint
the President of the country.
•It has around 3,000 members, mostly elected from all over China.

The Reality:
Only candidates approved by the Chinese Communist Party are allowed to contest
elections.
•There is only one political party – the Communist Party of China which forms the
government.
•People cannot freely choose their leaders because there is no real opposition or
competition.
•Independent candidates are not allowed to contest freely.
Conclusion:
•Although elections are held, they are not free and fair.
•Citizens have no real choice.
•Therefore, China is not considered a true democracy.

What Makes an Election Free and Fair (Which China Lacks):

[Link] political parties
[Link] choice for voters
[Link] election commission
[Link] chance for all candidates
III. Case Study: Mexico – Elections without Real Choice
Background:
•Mexico became independent in 1930.
•Elections were held every six years to elect its President.
•At first glance, it looked like a democracy – regular elections, citizens voting,
and a constitution.

The Problem:
For more than 70 years (1930 to 2000), only one political party ruled:
•PRI – Institutional Revolutionary Party (Partido Revolucionario Institucional)
•Opposition parties contested elections but didn’t manage to win . The PRI was
known to use many dirty tricks to win elections. All those who were employed in
government offices had to attend its party meetings. Teachers of government schools
used to force parents to vote for the PRI. Media largely ignored the activities of
opposition political parties
How PRI Controlled Power:

[Link] elections:
[Link] the media.
[Link] government resources to campaign.
[Link] or forced people to vote for them.
[Link] PRI spent a large sum of money in the campaign for its candidates.

[Link] Opposition:
[Link] other parties to contest, but created unfair rules.
[Link] results.

[Link] of Real Choice:

[Link] could vote, but all real power stayed with the PRI.
[Link], citizens had no real alternative.
MEXICO
PRI – Institutional Revolutionary Party
In Mexico, people seemed to really have a choice but in practice they had no
choice. There was no way the ruling party could be defeated, even if people
were against it. These are not fair elections

3rd feature of democracy

One person, one vote, one value
• Until 2015, in Saudi Arabia women did not have the right to vote.
- SAUDI ARABIA IS ABSOLUTE MONARCHY where the King is both the head of
state and government.
- Mohammed bin Salman is the current king for Saudi Arabia.

Elections in Saudi Arabia are rare. Municipal elections were last held in 2015
which have limited decision making power on local issues such as rubbish
collection and street maintenance.
Mohammed bin Salman
• Estonia has made its citizenship rules in such a way that people belonging to
Russian minority find it difficult to get the right to vote.

• In Fiji, the electoral system is such that the vote of an indigenous Fiji has
more value than that of an Indian-Fijian.

• Democracy is based on a fundamental principle of political equality.

Zimbabwe – A Country with Elections but Not Democratic
Background:
•Zimbabwe is a country in Africa.
•It became independent in 1980.
•Robert Mugabe ruled Zimbabwe from 1980 to 2017.
•He was elected several times, but his rule became increasingly undemocratic.

Problems with Democracy in Zimbabwe:

THE PARTY OF ROBERT MUGAMBE WAS ALSO KNOWN AS ZANU PF.
1. Elections were not free and fair:
Opposition parties were often harassed.
Government used violence against opponents.
Election results were often manipulated.

2. No real choice for voters:

Opposition parties could not campaign freely.
Voters were threatened to vote for Mugabe.
3. Suppression of human rights:
Freedom of speech was denied.
Newspapers and TV stations were controlled by the government.
People who criticized the government were often arrested.

4. Judiciary was not independent:

Judges who opposed government decisions were removed.
Courts were influenced by the ruling party.

5. Misuse of power:
Land was taken away from white farmers without proper planning.
Corruption and mismanagement were widespread.
Zimbabwe had regular elections but did not follow democratic principles like
freedom, fairness, and equality. Thus, it was a country with elections but
without real democracy.

Elections held, but not free and fair.

Opposition parties oppressed.
No freedom of speech or independent judiciary.
Example of how holding elections alone is not enough for true democracy.
ROBERT MUGAMBE
Arguments Against Democracy:

1. Leads to Instability: Frequent changes in leadership due to elections can

cause political instability.

2. Delays Decision Making: Democracy involves long discussions and debates

before decisions are made, which slows down the process.

3. Based on Political Competition: Sometimes political parties focus more on

winning elections than on good governance.

4. Gives Power to Uninformed People: Every citizen has one vote, even if they
are not aware of important issues.
5. Can Lead to Bad Decisions: Elected leaders may make decisions to please
people rather than for the country's long-term good.

6. Corruption: Democracy can sometimes encourage corruption because leaders

may use unfair means to win votes.

Arguments in favour of Democracy:

1. Better than Other Forms of Government: It is more accountable to the people
than any other form.

2. Promotes Equality: Democracy is based on the idea of political equality —

every person has one vote and one value.

3. Enhances Dignity of the Individual: Every citizen is respected and valued;

people's opinions are important.
4. Improves Decision Making: Decisions are taken after consultations and
discussions, which usually leads to better decisions.

5. Allows for Corrections: If mistakes are made, democracy allows leaders to be

changed through elections.

6. Peaceful Solution to Conflicts: Democracy provides a peaceful way to resolve

differences among people.
Broader Meaning of Democracy:
Democracy is not just about elections or choosing rulers.
It means that the people have the power to make decisions about how they are
governed.

It is a form of government where people rule themselves through institutions like

parliaments, courts, and elections.

It guarantees rights and freedoms (like freedom of speech, religion, and equality).

Every citizen has equal participation in decision-making processes, not just during
elections but also after.

Democracy is based on the idea of consultation and negotiation — leaders must

listen to the people's opinions and needs.
It focuses on achieving the welfare of all people (not just a few privileged ones).

It includes respect for minority rights, and ensures that the majority cannot just
impose its will unfairly.
Thank you