Question

write any five good features of democracy

Answer 1

The five main characteristics of democracy are as under:
(i) Elected representative:
In democracy representatives elected by the people make laws and frame policies of the government.
(ii) Elections are held to elect the representatives:
All adult citizens have the right to participate (vote) in .the elections. Elections should be free and fair and must be held at regular intervals. Citizens who have reached a certain age (in India, it is 25 years for election to Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies) are allowed to contest elections.
(iii) Civil liberties:
An important characteristic of democracy is that it grants top civil liberties to the citizens. They enjoy freedoms of speech, expression, and information. Citizens have a right to form, join or quit an association. It includes the right to form political party.
(iv) Rule of law:
Another characteristic of democracy is that it ensures rule of law. Law is supreme and all the citizens are equal in the eyes of law. No one is above law.
(v) Independent judiciary:
Independence of Judiciary is an essential characteristic of democracy. Judiciary must be free from any control of the executive or the legislature. Judges must be honest and should deliver justice impartially.

here take an extra

(vi) Organised opposition party:

Another important characteristic of democracy is the presence of organised opposition party or parties in the state. Majority party forms the government and party with a minority in the legislature forms the opposition party.

The opposition party keeps an eye on the policies and working of the government. By criticising the wrong policies of the government, it forces the government to make laws and frame policies for the welfare of the people. It prevents the government from being dictatorial.

Answer 2

Basic features of democracy include:

1. Political freedom

This means a freedom of choice, social order and form of government. It refers to the right of people to determine and change constitutional order and ensure the protection of human rights.

2. Equality of citizenship

This means equality of all people before the law, equal responsibility for any committed offense and the right to equal protection before court. Equality is guaranteed for all citizens: there can be no privileges or restrictions on the grounds of race, color, political beliefs, religious or other convictions, ethnic or social origin, property status, residence, linguistic or other grounds. The most important aspect is the equality of rights and freedoms of men and women who have the same opportunities for their implementation.

. Selectivity of state bodies

This implies formation of authorities and local government through the people's will. It ensures their replaceability, control and equal opportunity to exercise electoral rights for everybody. In a democratic state, the same people should not permanently occupy positions in government bodies for a long time: this causes distrust of citizens and leads to a loss of legitimacy of these bodies.

4. Separation of powers

This means interdependence and mutual restrictions are imposed on different branches of power: legislative, executive, judicial. It serves as an obstacle to the transformation of power into a means of suppressing freedom and equality;

5. Decision-making by the will of the majority with the mandatory observance of the rights of the minority

This feature means combination of the will of the majority with guarantees of the rights of the individual who act as a part of minority - ethnic, religious or political. It also means the absence of discrimination, suppression of rights of an individual who is not a part of the majority in decision-making activities;.