A democracy is simply a system of government where the citizens directly exercise their power and have the right to elect government representatives who collectively create a government body for the entire nation (like a parliament). Democracy, derived from the Greek term “demos” or “people,” is a form of government in which the people have the authority to deliberate and decide legislation (“direct democracy“), or to choose governing officials to do so (“representative democracy“). In a democratic society, the population has generally increased over time. However, who is regarded as “the people” and how power is distributed among or delegated by the people has evolved through time and at different rates in different countries. Another way to state the same idea is to say that it is a system of governance in which members of society, or citizens, rule. People have certain fundamental rights under a democratic government, and these rights are safeguarded and acknowledged on an international level.
Democracy is a system of values that prioritizes freedom. It may be viewed as the institutionalization of liberty. Democracy encompasses a number of freedom-related ideas and tenets. But in addition to all of this, democracy also comprises rules, policies, procedures, and practices that have undergone extensive historical change and testing.
Democracy may be viewed as the institutionalization of liberty. But in addition to all of this, democracy also comprises rules, policies, procedures, and practices that have undergone extensive historical change and testing. The principles of democracy, as stated in the preamble to the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights, are:
In the Democratic setup, the highest power is given to the people to form the government.
Rule of law, legal equality, freedom of speech and assembly, inclusivity, voting rights, consent, and the right to life, as well as minority rights and political freedom, are just a few of democracy’s core values.
Democracy is the government ‘of the People, by the people, and for the people.
What are The Characteristics Of Democracy?
1. Citizenship Law
Adult citizens have the right to choose their representatives in a democracy. In order to ensure that important offices are regularly up for election, it also specifies clear criteria for election cycles and term limitations. Citizens frequently have the option to appoint or fire their representatives through the voting process.
2. Majority Rights and Minority Rule
A crucial component of the democratic system is the majority rule rule. Election results are governed by the majority, but local, decentralized government organizations uphold individual rights. In a democracy, the people should have access to and representation at all levels of government.
3. Individual Rights
Individual rights are respected in democracies. The word freedom is identical with democracy when referring to the rights granted to each citizen under this form of governance. The Bill of Rights in the United States serves as a compendium of personal freedoms. Individual rights that are available in a democracy include the freedom of speech and religion, the right to be unarmed, and protection against arbitrary search and seizure. In a democratic society, everyone is guaranteed equal treatment in the eyes of the law.
4. Elections that are Free and Fair
The election process is crucial to the democratic process. Representatives at all levels of government are chosen in regularly spaced-out free and fair elections. All adult citizens have the right to vote in a free, democratic election, which in theory assures that the will of the people is conveyed.
6. Popular Sovereignty
In a democracy, adult citizens have the right to freely elect their representatives. Democracy’s fundamental principle is popular sovereignty. The populace grants the government its authority. People have the power to completely alter the government through elections.
Using their direct votes or the assistance of their representatives who were duly elected, the adult people of the nation exert power and civic responsibility within the democratic system.
6. Citizen Involvement
In a democracy, people not only have the right to vote but also a duty to do so. In a democracy, informed participation is essential. The maintenance of the democratic process is ensured when the people elect their representatives. An active citizenry is crucial to a strong democracy.
7. Cooperation and Compromise
Democracies also value cooperation and compromise to protect individual rights. To adequately safeguard diversity, and accurately represent all communities, a democracy must protect the right to be different. Anti-discrimination is at the heart of a true democracy. The freedom to assemble and voice opinion drives government accountability to ensure that underrepresented people have the same rights as the majority.
‘Recognition of the inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace in the world.’
8. Free and Fair Elections
All adult citizens have the right to vote for their representatives. The election process is free and fair and is held at regular intervals.
In a democracy, elections should be held at regular intervals. They should follow a well-accepted and trusted procedure. It is the process through which the citizens elect their leaders (representatives) for the next 4 to 5 years.
Every state within a democracy provides efficient and independent (of any tampering) machinery for each election cycle.
Voting has to be accessible to the citizens of the legal voting age.
Key Features of Democratic Elections
- Opposition parties and candidates need to enjoy the freedom of assembly, speech, and movement
- Elections need to be periodic in a democracy
- Democratic elections should be inclusive, and voter should be large enough to include all the adult population
- Voters in democracy cast their ballots in secret for neutralizing the chances of intimidation
- Democracy needs to have a loyal opposition
9. The right to run for office
In addition, those who are of the appropriate age should be permitted to run for office. Democracies set a minimum voting age after which any person meeting certain requirements may vote.
The idea of justice is centered on the idea that no two people are created equally.
There is no discrimination; everyone is treated equally. Political equality and social equality are the pillars of democracy.
In a democracy, everyone is entitled to the same political rights, legal equality, and opportunity equality.
11. Freedom and Fundamental Rights
Every person has the freedom and fundamental rights in a democracy.
All of these rights are safeguarded by the legal system. An independent judicial system that prioritizes defending the freedom and rights of the people is a key component of democracy.
Freedom comprises the right to free speech, the ability to assemble peacefully, access to the press, the ability to create associations without being arbitrarily detained, and the ability to cherish family life.
The judiciary is revered as the defender and watchdog of the Constitution and the citizens’ basic rights. It serves as the same’s interpreter as well.
For it to function effectively and without interference, it must be kept out of the legislative and executive control structures.
The judiciary also has the authority to veto executive or legislative actions or laws that it deems to be unlawful.
13. Transparency of a Government
A democratically elected administration should be open and transparent.
It ought to be receptive to populist demands. It should also operate in accordance with popular sentiment and constantly strive for the best outcomes for both the nation and its people. Government actions are still subject to accountability.
The parliament is a reflection of popular sentiment.
Any policy the government attempts to enact must first receive approval from the parliament. The representatives chosen by the people make up the parliament.
A democracy does not have a single center of power. Instead, it is kept decentralized by a sizable population.
It is ensured that the power is not abused via a system of internet checks and balances. With the aid of political, social, and economic checks and balances, it is further maintained under control.
15. Pluralism and Democratic Society
Having a government that serves as a connecting thread for a range of public and private institutions, organizations, political parties, groups, and legal forums is a fundamental feature of democracy.
It is also accepted that each component of a democratic society has its own existence, validity, and authority outside of the government.
16. Religious Freedom and Tolerance
Democracy allows all the citizens to opt for their conscience when it comes to their religious faith. Religious freedom comprises-
- Freedom to Worship Alone
- Freedom to Worship with others in private or in public
- Freedom to not worship at all
- Freedom to participate in religious teaching, practice, and observance
- Freedom to not participate in any religious activities
While opting for their preferred ethical choices, citizens should never have any fear of persecution from the government or any other group of society.
17. Citizen Responsibilities
Active, peaceful, and purposeful participation of citizens in their country or community is one of democracy’s core tenets.
Democracy is not static; it is evolutionary, according to Diane Ravitch’s interpretation, an educational historian and policy analyst. All residents must be tolerant, willing to make concessions, and cooperative. In a democracy, freedom does not imply an absence of obligations; rather, freedom is innately linked to accountability.
One of the most crucial aspects of democracy is the ability to accept that “those who are different from you also have comparable rights as you do.”
Overall, democracy and rights and obligations are strongly related.
The essential duties and restrictions on state power are spelled forth in the constitution. The Constitution is crucial in determining the goals and aspirations for safeguarding the welfare of all citizens.
The two forms of government are federalism and unitary governments. Federalism distributes authority among local, regional, state, and federal levels.
What are the forms of democracy
The main forms of democracy we have:
- Direct democracy
- Representative democracy
- Presidential democracy
- Parliamentary democracy
- Authoritarian democracy
- Participatory democracy
1. Presidential Democracy
In a presidential democracy, the head of state has substantial influence over the executive branch. He or she is directly or indirectly chosen by state residents.
Although they are not accountable to the legislature, the president and the executive branch of the government are not allowed to completely dissolve the legislature in most cases. Similarly, barring extraordinary circumstances, the legislature cannot depose the president from office. A bill may be overturned by the president with a veto to stop it from becoming law. The legislature can, however, overrule the president’s veto if there are enough votes.
The head of state also serves as the head of government in a presidential democracy. This type of democracy is practiced in nations like the USA, Argentina, and Sudan.
2. Parliamentary Democracy
A parliamentary democracy is one that grants the legislature more authority. Only the legislature, or parliament, may confer democratic legitimacy on the executive branch. The prime minister is chosen by the elected legislature (parliament), which also has the power to oust him or her at any moment by passing a vote of no confidence.
The president is the head of state, while the prime minister is the head of government. Both have various levels of authority. However, the president is typically either a ceremonial head or a weak monarch (such as in the United Kingdom) (e.g. India).
3. Authoritarian Democracy
At this point, the parliamentary process is only utilized by the elites. The state’s citizens are permitted to cast ballots for the candidates of their choice, but “ordinary people” are barred from voting. Therefore, in the end, the different interests of the state’s population are only decided upon by the ruling class. Vladimir Putin’s Russia of today is a prime illustration of this style of government. In most cases, Hong Kong also fits under this group.
4. Participatory Democracy
Widespread participation in the political process is the main goal of a participatory democracy. The objective is to have as many people participate in politics as possible. Instead than being chosen by elected representatives, laws and other problems are decided by direct voting.
Participatory democracy was not preferred by the founding fathers. They didn’t believe the general populace could make wise political choices. In a huge, complicated community, it would also be too laborious for everyone to offer their viewpoint on every topic.
The American Constitution did not include the model of participatory democracy. On the other hand, it is employed in municipal elections, referendums, and initiatives where voters directly participate in the decision-making process.
It is important to note that participatory democracy is not a direct democracy. There are similarities, but in a direct democracy, citizens vote directly on important government decisions, while in a participatory democracy, political leaders still have an ultimate say.
Referendums and ballot initiatives are two instances of participatory democracy. Voters will examine a measure that residents place on the ballot through ballot initiatives. Voter-approved initiatives are new legislation proposed by regular people. A referendum is a vote by the public on a specific matter (usually a yes or no question). However, in the United States, the Constitution states that state-level referendums are permitted but federal-level referendums are not permitted.