question_answer

Examine the features of democracy.

Answer:

The features of democracy can be categorised in the form of questions followed by sub-headings and classification of each feature like:

(i) Who are the Rulers in the Democracy?

- Major decisions are taken by elected leaders.

(ii) What kind of Election constitutes a Democratic Election?

- Free and fair electoral competition.

(iii) Who are the people who can elect the rulers?

- One person, one vote and one value.

(iv) What kind of a form of government is democracy?

- Rule of law and respect for rights.

Features in detail

(i) Major Decisions by Elected Leaders: In a democracy the final decision making power must rest with those elected by the people. Some countries like Pakistan and Russia have formally an elected Parliament and government but the real power is with those who are not elected. But this cannot be called a good democracy or people's rule.

(ii) Free and Fair electoral Competition: Democracy does not mean holding of any kind of election. But the elections must offer a real choice between political alternatives. And it should be possible for people to use this choice to remove the existing rulers if they wish so.

(iii) One Person, One Vote, one Value: As democracy is based on the fundamental principles of political equality so, in a good democracy, each adult citizen must have one vote and each vote must have one value.

In other words-democracy guarantees universal adult franchise. Unlike Saudi Arabia' women do not have right to vote, in Fiji right to vote is very much confined to indigenous Fijis. This is not the example of a good and sound democracy.

(iv) Rule of Law and Respect for Rights: A democratic government cannot do whatever it likes, simply because it had won an election. It has to respect some basic rules. In particular it has to respect some guarantees to the minorities. Every major decision has to go through a series of consultations and every office bearer has certain rights and responsibilities assigned by the Constitution and the law.

Therefore, a good democratic government rules within limits set by constitutional law and citizens rights.