"Democracy stands much superior to any other form of government in promoting dignity and freedom of the individual." Justify this statement.
Answers
Answer:
“Democracy stands much superior in promoting dignity and freedom to the citizens”:
(i) Every individual wants to receive respect from fellow beings.
(ii) The passion for respect and freedom is the basis of any democracy.
(iii) Democracies throughout the world have recognized this. It has been achieved in various degrees in various democracies.
(iv) Long struggles by women have got them respect and equal treatment.
(v) In many democracies, women were deprived of their right to vote for a long time, which they have achieved now.
(vi) In India 1/3rd of seats have been reserved for women in local bodies.
(vii) Democracy has strengthened the claims of the disadvantaged and discriminated castes for equal status and equal opportunity.
Answer:
Democracy is a form of government in which the rulers are elected by the people. It also implies the fact of "by the people, for the people and of the people."
Democracy promotes dignity and freedom of the individual. Every individual wants to receive respect from fellow beings. Democracies have achieved this to a certain degree in many countries.
Long struggles by women have got the respect and equal treatment. In many democracies, women were deprived of their right to vote for a long time which they have achieved now. Women can now wage a struggle against what is now unacceptable legally and morally. In a non-democratic set-up, women would not have a legal basis to fight for equality.
People now look critically at the work of those who hold power, the rich, the powerful. They express their dissatisfaction loudly. It shows they are no longer subjects but citizens of a democratic country. In a democratic country like India, the constitution provides provisions for the protection of our fundamental rights.
It also stands superior because:
- Every individual wants to receive respect from fellow beings
- The passion for respect and freedom is the basis of democracy
- It provides methods to resolve conflicts
- Democracy strengthened the claims of underprivileged groups for equal status and opportunities.