What are the features of indian democratic government?
Answers
Answered by
0
This remark was a reflection of the democracy in India, with some of its unique features:
1. Ethnic diversity:
John Stuart Mill, the great British philosopher and political economist, once noted that a radically diverse country would seem incapable of democracy because there is no fellow feeling among its constituents.
India, with 1/6th of humanity within its boundaries, is the largest democracy in the world. There are more than 2000 ethnic groups and 1652 languages and dialects in India. This makes it linguistically diverse than the whole of Europe. In fact, only the continent of Africa exceeds the linguistic, genetic and cultural diversity of India.
2. Religious diversity:
There are 8 major religions in India and a number of other religions with smaller following. Combined with the radically diverse ethnic diversity, this diversity in religion further adds complexity to the Indian democracy. India is a secular republic and the right to freedom of religion is a Fundamental Right as per the constitution. Thus, India does not have official state religion.
3. Low-income democracy:
The traditional view of democracy has linked democratic societies with high level of income. However, India is an astonishing myth buster on this aspect. India, with a per capita income of $1200 p.a. is ranked 142nd in the world. 32% of the population lives below the international poverty line. Given that democratic societies haven't lasted in low-income countries, it is a unique feature of India that democracy has sustained in spite of the low income levels.
4. Panchayati Raj: the 3rd level of Government:
About 72% of the Indian population lives in about 638,000 villages. Thus, in addition to the Centre and the State, the Panchayati Raj forms the 3rd level of Indian Government. It is a form of local governance that exists mainly within the Indian sub-continent. It is also the oldest form of local governance in the sub-continent.
The Panchayati Raj comprises of 3 levels - Gram Panchayat( the basic level - the village level), Janpad (the block level comprising of tehsils and talukas) and the Zila Parishad (the district level).
5. Parliamentary Sovereignty and Independent Judiciary:
In India, the Legislative body (Parliament) has parliamentary supremacy. The Executive body (consisting of the President, VP and Cabinet) works with the legislature. All members of the Cabinet and the President are members of the Parliament. Unlike the U.S., there is no clear distinction and independence between the Executive and Legislative branches. However, Judiciary has been kept independent of the other two branches, thus making India a model of both Parliamentary Sovereignty and Separation of powers.
6. Caste and gender (in)equality:
A strong guiding principle of democracy is political equality. The Indian society is inherently entrenched with inequality in terms of caste and gender. The caste system, invented centuries ago, is still a major pillar of the Indian society. The caste system is also highly varied at its branch level. To give a little perspective, Other Backward Classes (OBCs), which form 52% of India's population, covers more than 3000 castes according to the Mandal Commission. Scheduled castes (SCs), which form 16% of India's population, covers about 1200 castes.
Thus, to achieve political equality, caste based reservation and politics is a very important and unique feature of Indian democracy. The other important factor in India is the traditional inequality between men and women, thus making gender based reservation and politics another important factor of our democracy.
7. Culmination of all: Stability:
An often talked about feature of Indian democracy with awe and curiosity has been its stability in spite of the wide ethnic, religious, cultural and social diversity. Add to that a number of other factors such as corruption, criminalization of politics and student politics, it is an unique aspect of Indian democracy that it has survived for 65+ years.
In spite of all the ethnic and religious diversities, the coexistence of the feelings of nationalism and sub-nationalism is unique in India. India is built on the concept of a state-nation, rather than a nation-state, A state-nation does not seek a coherent, unitary national identity and instead, recognizes and nurtures the existing diversity. This accommodating and tolerant nature of India's democratic structure, combined with "power brokers" at different levels are among the prime factors for this stability.
i hope so its helpful to you.
1. Ethnic diversity:
John Stuart Mill, the great British philosopher and political economist, once noted that a radically diverse country would seem incapable of democracy because there is no fellow feeling among its constituents.
India, with 1/6th of humanity within its boundaries, is the largest democracy in the world. There are more than 2000 ethnic groups and 1652 languages and dialects in India. This makes it linguistically diverse than the whole of Europe. In fact, only the continent of Africa exceeds the linguistic, genetic and cultural diversity of India.
2. Religious diversity:
There are 8 major religions in India and a number of other religions with smaller following. Combined with the radically diverse ethnic diversity, this diversity in religion further adds complexity to the Indian democracy. India is a secular republic and the right to freedom of religion is a Fundamental Right as per the constitution. Thus, India does not have official state religion.
3. Low-income democracy:
The traditional view of democracy has linked democratic societies with high level of income. However, India is an astonishing myth buster on this aspect. India, with a per capita income of $1200 p.a. is ranked 142nd in the world. 32% of the population lives below the international poverty line. Given that democratic societies haven't lasted in low-income countries, it is a unique feature of India that democracy has sustained in spite of the low income levels.
4. Panchayati Raj: the 3rd level of Government:
About 72% of the Indian population lives in about 638,000 villages. Thus, in addition to the Centre and the State, the Panchayati Raj forms the 3rd level of Indian Government. It is a form of local governance that exists mainly within the Indian sub-continent. It is also the oldest form of local governance in the sub-continent.
The Panchayati Raj comprises of 3 levels - Gram Panchayat( the basic level - the village level), Janpad (the block level comprising of tehsils and talukas) and the Zila Parishad (the district level).
5. Parliamentary Sovereignty and Independent Judiciary:
In India, the Legislative body (Parliament) has parliamentary supremacy. The Executive body (consisting of the President, VP and Cabinet) works with the legislature. All members of the Cabinet and the President are members of the Parliament. Unlike the U.S., there is no clear distinction and independence between the Executive and Legislative branches. However, Judiciary has been kept independent of the other two branches, thus making India a model of both Parliamentary Sovereignty and Separation of powers.
6. Caste and gender (in)equality:
A strong guiding principle of democracy is political equality. The Indian society is inherently entrenched with inequality in terms of caste and gender. The caste system, invented centuries ago, is still a major pillar of the Indian society. The caste system is also highly varied at its branch level. To give a little perspective, Other Backward Classes (OBCs), which form 52% of India's population, covers more than 3000 castes according to the Mandal Commission. Scheduled castes (SCs), which form 16% of India's population, covers about 1200 castes.
Thus, to achieve political equality, caste based reservation and politics is a very important and unique feature of Indian democracy. The other important factor in India is the traditional inequality between men and women, thus making gender based reservation and politics another important factor of our democracy.
7. Culmination of all: Stability:
An often talked about feature of Indian democracy with awe and curiosity has been its stability in spite of the wide ethnic, religious, cultural and social diversity. Add to that a number of other factors such as corruption, criminalization of politics and student politics, it is an unique aspect of Indian democracy that it has survived for 65+ years.
In spite of all the ethnic and religious diversities, the coexistence of the feelings of nationalism and sub-nationalism is unique in India. India is built on the concept of a state-nation, rather than a nation-state, A state-nation does not seek a coherent, unitary national identity and instead, recognizes and nurtures the existing diversity. This accommodating and tolerant nature of India's democratic structure, combined with "power brokers" at different levels are among the prime factors for this stability.
i hope so its helpful to you.
Answered by
1
Democracy- The democracy is a government of the people by the people and for the people.
It means the room by the people.
It is a form of government in which the rulers are elected by the people.
Features of Democracy :
a) Major decisions by Elected Leaders :
In a democratic government the major decisions are taken by the leaders who are elected by the people of that country. These elected leaders represent the whole country so in this way the need of all people are satisfied.
b) Free and Fair Electoral Competition :
A democracy is based on a free and fair election where does currently in power have a fair chance of losing.
c) One Person, One Vote , One Value :
In a democratic country each and every adult is provided a single word which is having equal value. It means each what must have one value then that of other.
d) Rule of Law and Respect of Rights :
In democracy a country can be rule only within limits set by constitutional law and citizens' rights.
It means the room by the people.
It is a form of government in which the rulers are elected by the people.
Features of Democracy :
a) Major decisions by Elected Leaders :
In a democratic government the major decisions are taken by the leaders who are elected by the people of that country. These elected leaders represent the whole country so in this way the need of all people are satisfied.
b) Free and Fair Electoral Competition :
A democracy is based on a free and fair election where does currently in power have a fair chance of losing.
c) One Person, One Vote , One Value :
In a democratic country each and every adult is provided a single word which is having equal value. It means each what must have one value then that of other.
d) Rule of Law and Respect of Rights :
In democracy a country can be rule only within limits set by constitutional law and citizens' rights.
Similar questions