Democracy Essay । Characteristics of Democracy

What is Democracy? Characteristics of Democracy

What is Democracy? What are the Characteristics of Democracy? In this Democracy Essay, we will find the basics of Democracy. At the most primary level, the word Democracy formed from the Greek words demos (demos=people) and Kratos (kratos=rule). Unitedly it means a government that is ruled by the citizens or members of society. Secondly, what are the Characteristics of Democracy? I will discuss shortly democracy, characteristics, meaning and what is a democracy for kids.

What is Democracy?

Generally, politics deals with the process of government and institution. Politics is for man and hence man cannot remain indifferent about politics—both within his country and of the international politics. Naturally, the outward manifestation of politics like the political election, leadership struggles, legislative and executive actions, parties, pressure politics, group politics, all types of lobbying draw his attention. Democracy means the existence of political parties. All these parties stand between the electorate and the government. These are the two wings of democracy and political parties act as a bridge between the two. The essential base of a representative form of democracy or representative government is the political parties. Hence in formal democracy, political parties have special significance. Democracy means—as Abraham Lincoln said it "government of the people, by the people and for the people". Naturally, its ultimate strength lies with the people, the citizen of the state. Voltaire said "vox populi vox de," voice of the people is the voice of God. "With the extension of the adult franchise to the mass of citizens, the struggle for political power is institutionalized in the operation of political parties."

Characteristics of Democracy

Democracy is a decision-making process of government.

Active participation of people of the society.

A political system.

A rule of law, which applies equally to all citizen.

A political system which is operated by rules for choosing and replacing the government.

All changes will be made through free and fair elections.

Active participation of the people of the society.

Protection of the human rights of all people.

Systems in Democracy

In most of the Democracies of the world, there exists a multi-party system. Democracy can work successfully only in the multiparty or even in the bi-party system. Great Britain and the United States of America have a bi-party system. Whereas India experiences a multi-party system. In fact, most of the third world countries have a multiparty system. While France has about 15 parties we find seven and eight parties in Germany and Italy respectively. The multiparty system of Indian democracy essentially depends on the logic of democracy. "The multiparty system is the more elastic system. In this system "groups" as wrote MacIver, "can be freely organized, can unite and separate with every change of situation."

Role of Opposition

In both bi-party and multiparty system, one party holds the rein of the government while the others act as opposition. The voters reflect their opinion in the ballot boxes to which party they want to hand over the rein of administration. That party becomes the ruling party. But the parties who remain out of ruling power have equally great tasks to perform. They are watching out all the time and to act cautiously to voice popular grievances and to represent the main currents of public opinion. "For making government policies governments always follows the constitutional norms. However, the political parties provide the decision workshop in which the policy forms the basis of public administration".

The work of an opposition party is to keep the government under check and to keep a vigil watch on its day to day affairs. It is to attack and condemn the discriminatory works of the government. Its healthy criticism is always assets to the government as they point out the mistakes and loopholes of the rules. True oppositions often play the role of menders. But at the same time, they are always eager to discredit the government even in a foul and disgusting manner which eventually presents an unhealthy picture of the role of opposition. Very often the Parliament and Assembly houses are turning into noisy centers, devoid of any cultured dealings. Various factors are surely responsible for that. But at the same time, the opposition parties cannot shake off their responsibilities in up keeping the glorious norms of Democracy.

Finally

Unless the opposition parties become aware of their great role, like the Her Majesty's opposition in British Parliament, Democracy cannot thrive well and the ruling party will always try to act tyrannically denying the interest and voice of the people, which democracy actually means.

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