Write a short note on 'Democracy'
Answers
Explanation:
Many definitions of 'Democracy' have been given by eminent authorities on this subject. The term 'Democracy' was coined in ancient Athens in the 5th century BC. It originated from the Greek word 'Demokratia'. Demo means 'the people'; kratia means 'to rule'. The term democracy means the rule by the people.
Democracy in Athens is the earliest example of a system which corresponds to nome of the modern ideas about democratic rule. In Athens, all the people could vote irrespective of whether they were rich or poor. They were free to vote and free speak in the Assembly.
In a democracy the people should have control over the government ruling over them. This can be achieved by implementing a system of voting in which the majority of the people rule, either directly or indirectly, through the elected representatives. Elections are necessary for democracy. A famous political philosopher Reinhold Neibuhr has stated, "Man's capacity for justice makes democracy possible and man's capacity for injustice makes democracy necessary."
It is obvious that democracy has been accepted all over the world.
Abraham Lincoln defined democracy as the "Government of the people, by the people and for the people." This definition is considered to be very apt. In monarchies and aristocracies, all power is concentrated in the hands of a group of people within society, who govern the country. They are not the representatives of the people. A dictator like Hitler and Mussolini may be elected by the people at some stage, but once they are in power and formulate policies that are not meant for the welfare of the people, the government ceases to be democratic.
The simple definition that democracy is a form of government in which the rulers are elected by the people raises many questions:
Who are the rulers? What kind of election constitutes a democracy election? What conditions must be fulfilled for an election to be considered democratic?
Who are the people who can elect the rulers? Does it include every citizen on an equal basis?
Finally, what kind of a form of government is democracy? Can elected members do whatever they want in a democracy? Or does it function within some limits?