Question

which challenges of democracy involves bringing down the control and influence of the rich and powerful people in making governmental decision?​

Answer 1

These countries face the foundational challenge of

making the transition to democracy and then instituting

democratic government. This involves bringing down

the existing non-democratic regime, keeping military

away from controlling government and establishing a

sovereign and functional state.

Most of the established democracies face the

challenge of expansion. This involves applying the

basic principle of democratic government across all

the regions, different social groups and various

institutions. Ensuring greater power to local

governments, extension of federal principle to all the

units of the federation, inclusion of women and

minority groups, etc., falls under this challenge. This

also means that less and less decisions should remain

outside the arena of democratic control. Most

countries including India and other democracies like

the US face this challenge.

The third challenge of deepening of democracy

is faced by every democracy in one form or another.

This involves strengthening of the institutions and

practices of democracy. This should happen in such a

way that people can realise their expectations of

democracy. But ordinary people have different

expectations from democracy in different societies.

Therefore, this challenge takes different meanings and

paths in different parts of the world. In general terms,

it usually means strengthening those institutions

that help people’s participation and control.

This requires an attempt to bring down the

control and influence of the rich and

powerful people in making governmental

decision.