Question

Relationship between education and democracy in india

Answer 1

Radhakrishnan Commission ( 1948-49 ) said, "Education is the great instrument of social emancipation, by which democracy establishes, maintains and protects the spirit of equality among its members".It is crystal clear that democracy can function properly only if all its citizens are properly/well educated.

Answer 2

It is an admitted fact that there is an intimate relationship between democracy and education. In a democracy, education is given primacy, for it is pre-requisite for the survival and success of the former. Similarly, education fosters a democratic temper in the minds of people.

Democratic values like liberty, equality, fraternity justice, dignity of individual, co-operation, sharing of responsibility etc. are applied to education to make it more effective, meaningful, relevant and useful.

Democracy in order to be a reality and a way of life has to be introduced from the very beginning of education and its values need to be practiced in educational institutions. Before a thorough discussion on the inalienable relationship between the two-democracy and education, it is essential to unfold the meaning of democracy.

Democracy is a form of government in which there prevails the rule of majority. It is government of the people, by the people and for the people. This is a political connotation of the term democracy. Economically, it is a system where no one is exploited, where everybody is assured a fair standard of living, where there is equal opportunity for work according to abilities and capacities, where economic organization is based on collective or co-operative basis and where economic projects are geared for the benefit of the community at large but not for any private bodies.

Socially, it connotes absence of all distractions based on class, caste, creed, birth, religion, language or possession of money. Everyone is guaranteed fundamental rights, and equality of opportunities is given for the fullest development of personality.

Thus, it is social justice which is central to the understanding of democracy. Dignity of individual is accorded a primacy in it. In other words, there exists a paramount faith in the worth of the common man. There is no domination of any individual or group over another.

There prevails a sense of co-operation, fellow-felineness, fraternity, liberty, responsibility, understanding and justice. Therefore, democracy has been construed as a way of life, a way of doing things and a way of seeing and knowing. John Dewey says, “A democracy is more than a form of government, it is primarily a mode of associated living, of conjoint communicated experiences”.

Democracy is a way of life where problems are solved through argument, discussion, deliberation, persuasion and transaction of views instead of dictation, coercion, violence, distrust and conflict. It is an order of social relationships among individuals dedicated to the promotion of the individual’s well being keeping personal interests in abeyance.

It is an order in which every individual gets limitless opportunities to blossom according to his/her potentialities and in which power and responsibilities are shared on a mutual basis without any confrontation and conflict.

According to Prof. Seeley, “Democracy is a form of government in which everyone has a share.” Therefore in the business of government everybody is equally an actor or player. The will of people is well recognized and given primacy.