A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY
A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY
An open, democratic society offers many benefits to its citizens. It gives them freedom to make choices about their lives, to develop their potential as human beings and to live free from fear, harassment and discrimination. It gives them protection under the law and the right to elect legislators of their choice and to remove them if they do not perform to their satisfaction. It guarantees freedom of speech, religion and assembly. It ensures an independent judiciary. Through the principle of the rule of law it guarantees universality of the scope of the law and equality before the law for all citizens.
What is democracy?
Democracy (basically meaning “power of people”) is a political regime based on the method of collective decision-making with equal contribution of participants on the outcome of the process or on its significant stages.
MAIN FEATURES OF DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY
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.
(vi) Organized opposition party:
Another important characteristic of democracy is the presence of organized 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 criticizing 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.
CONCLUSION
A strong democracy encourages an active and outspoken civil society and robust public debate including dissent and disagreement with government. Such a democracy gives its members many opportunities to participate in public life. A properly functioning democracy also has moral responsibilities to non-citizens, refugees, visitors and other nations. Many of these responsibilities are enshrined in international covenants and agreements.
REFERENCE
Stephanie Obasanho (2017) Democracy
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