POLITICAL SCIENCE(X)
CHAPTER 06&07
MEANING OF CHALLENGE:
A challenge
is not just any problem. We usually call only those difficulties a ‘challenge’
which are significant and which can be overcome. A challenge is a difficulty
that carries within it an opportunity for progress. Once we overcome a
challenge we go up to a higher level than before.
FOUNDATIONAL
CHALLENGE:
Different countries face different kinds of challenges. At least
one fourth of the globe is still not under democratic government. The challenge
for democracy in these parts of the world is very stark. These countries face
the foundational challenge of making the transition to democracy and then
instituting democratic government. This involves bringing down the existing
non-democratic regime, keeping military away from controlling government and
establishing a sovereign and functional state. For example, Nepal was under
Monarchy till recent times. Now Nepal has changed to a democratic system.
Certain mind-sets and systems will take years to change as they have taken
years to develop. Nepal is a very good example of foundational challenge of
democracy.
CHALLENGE OF EXPANSION:
Most of the established democracies face the challenge of
expansion. This involves applying the basic principle of democratic government
across all the regions, different social groups and various institutions.
Ensuring greater power to local governments, extension of federal principle to
all the units of the federation, inclusion of women and minority groups, etc.,
falls under this challenge. This also means that less and less decisions should
remain outside the arena of democratic control. Most countries including India
and other democracies like the US face this challenge. In India certain
socio-economically backward groups have yet to get the political powers.
Additionally, some north-eastern states have not yet fully integrated with the
mainstream India. These are examples of challenge of expansion of democracy.
DEEPENING OF DEMOCRACY
The third challenge of deepening of democracy is faced by every
democracy in one form or another. This involves strengthening of the
institutions and practices of democracy. This should happen in such a way that
people can realise their expectations of democracy. But ordinary people have
different expectations from democracy in different societies. In the early
nineties, when T N Sheshan became the Chief Election Commissioner, he brought
about a revolutionary change of disciplining political parties. This in turn
ensured fairer elections. This is an example of strengthening a particular
political institution.
From above descriptions it is clear that different country face
different kinds of challenges to democracy. These challenges depend on what
stage of social development the country is. Solutions to these challenges also
depend on a particular country’s unique situation. It can be said that there is
no pre-prescribed method to tackle the challenge faced by a democracy.
OUTCOMES OF DEMOCRACY
ACCOUNTABLE, RESPONSIVE AND
LEGITIMATE GOVERNMENT
The most basic outcome of democracy is that it produces a
government that is accountable to the citizens, and responsive to the needs and
expectations of the citizens.
Democratic government can apparently be less efficient than a
non-democratic government. This happens because a non-democratic government
does not need to arrive at consensus among a diverse set of people. Democracy
functions on the basis of deliberation and negotiation and hence decisions are
often delayed. But this does not mean that a democratic government is less
efficient.
A
non-democratic government may be able to take decisions in non-time. But one
needs to assess if those decisions are acceptable to the masses or are they
really solving people’s problems.
A democratic
government is more transparent than a non-democratic government. A citizen has
the right to know the processes which were followed while taking a decision in
a democratic government. Thus, a democratic government is more accountable and
responsive to its citizens.
A democratic
government is legitimate government because it is elected by the people. This
is the reason that democratic governments are thriving in most of the
countries.
ECONOMIC
GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT:
Data for the
fifty years between 1950 and 2000 suggests that dictatorships have slightly
higher economic growth. In most of the democracies, the economic growth is
somewhat slower. But there are many democratic countries which are among the
economic superpowers of the world. This shows that economic growth does not
depend on the form of government only. Other factors also decide the trend of
economic growth; like population size, global situation, cooperation from other
countries, economic priorities of the country, etc.
When we look
at several other positive outcomes; along with a reasonable economic growth;
then democracy is always better than dictatorship.
REDUCTION OF INEQUALITY AND POVERTY:
Economic
inequality has been increasing all over the world. In India, a larger portion
of the population is poor and the number of rich people is less. Moreover,
there is a large difference in the income of rich and the poor. In most of the
countries, democracy has failed in reducing economic inequalities.
Accommodation
of social diversity:
Every society
is full of diversities and conflicts are bound to happen among various
sections. It is impossible to fully rule out the possibility of conflicts. But democracy normally develops a procedure by which there can be a healthy
competition among different sections of the society. People can learn to
respect the differences and learn to resolve conflicts in an amicable manner.
In most of the democratic countries, social diversity is accommodated
peacefully. There can be some examples where social diversity is still a big
problem; like in case of Sri Lanka.
Dignity and freedom of the citizens:
Democracy has
succeeded in ensuring the dignity and freedom of its citizens. Let us take
example of India. There are many social groups which had faced a long history
of oppression. Due to democratic process, a size able portion of these people
have been able to move up the social ladder and are in a position to assert
themselves
Equality of
Women
Because of
democracy, women could be able to wage a struggle for staking their claim to
equality. In most of the democratic countries, women have succeeded in getting
equal status in the society. This is not the case in most of the autocracies.
Caste
Inequalities
Caste based
inequalities had been quite predominant in India. But thanks to the democratic
process, such cases have reduced to a bare minimum. People from all castes can
be seen in every sphere of life
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