What is Democracy? Why Democracy?

A form of government in which the rulers are elected by the people.

In 1999, Gen Pervez Musharraf led a military coup. He declared himself Chief Executive and later President. He held a referendum in 2002 essentially based on fraud. This shows that in a non-democracy, people may not really elect their rulers.

Elections must offer a real choice between political alternatives. A dominant party (like PRI in Mexico or CCP in China) winning every time by fraud/coercion is not democratic.

In a democracy, each adult citizen must have one vote and each vote must have one value. (Contrast with Fiji where indigenous vote > Indian-Fijian vote).

A democratic government rules within limits set by constitutional law and citizens' rights. Opposition parties must be allowed to function freely.

1. Safer than dictatorship (Accountability). 2. Improves quality of decision making (Consultation). 3. Provides a method to deal with differences/conflicts. 4. Enhances dignity of citizens. 5. allows us to correct mistakes.

1. Leaders change (Instability). 2. Delay in decisions. 3. Corruption (Electoral competition). 4. Ordinary people don't know what is good for them.

People do not rule directly but through their elected representatives. It is necessary in large countries.

Citizens directly participate in decision making (e.g., Gram Sabha in India, or Ancient Greece).

President of Chile (Socialist). He was overthrown and killed in a military coup led by Pinochet in 1973.

Daughter of a tortured general, she became the first woman President of Chile in 2006 (Restoration of democracy).

Lech Walesa led the Solidarity trade union against the communist government. Poland became a democracy in 1990.

A direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to accept or reject a particular proposal.

Right of every adult citizen to vote.

Institutional Revolutionary Party of Mexico. It used dirty tricks to win elections for decades.

Because only members of the Communist Party can contest elections. The government is always formed by the Communist Party.

Robert Mugabe (ZANU-PF) ruled since independence (1980). He used unfair practices to stay in power.

To question government policies and keep them in check.

No. It doesn't end poverty instantly. But it ensures people's voice is heard.

It is a principle that can be applied to any sphere of life (family, classroom) where decisions are taken through consultation.

Democracy comes from Greek 'Demokratia'.

Demos = People, Kratia = Rule.

Abraham Lincoln: 'Of the people, by the people, for the people'.

Musharraf led a coup in Oct 1999.

China's parliament: National People's Congress.

Mexico holds elections every 6 years.

Saudi Arabia: Women didn't have vote (till 2015).

Estonia: Russian minority finds it hard to vote.

Fiji: Vote value differs.

Robert Mugabe ruled Zimbabwe.

Democracy improves dignity.

Democracy allows correcting mistakes.

Famine of 1958-61 in China killed millions (India didn't face such famine due to democracy).

Pinochet was a military dictator.

Solidarity (Poland) was first independent trade union in communist bloc.

Myanmar is struggling for democracy (Aung San Suu Kyi).

UN is not a democratic body (Veto power).

IMF/World Bank dominated by rich countries.

Iraq war was launched by US/UK without UN approval.

Gana/Sangha were early democracies in India.

Vaisali was a republic.

Democracy requires active citizenship.

Musharraf's Coup

Zimbabwe Independence

Poland becomes democratic

Bachelet becomes Chile President