Democratic System In India
Democratic System
Now that the recent elections have concluded in various provinces in India & results are out some pertinent questions came up in my mind.I always had a doubt about the system because it only reflects the majority mandate. Is it then the people’s choice as we call it? It is of course the majority choice even if the margin of victory is very small no doubt about it whatsoever.Now the minority will have to accept defeat and abide by the rule of the people who won in spite of having an ideological difference. So will the people be happy with the rule & policies of the ruling government. Of course not is the answer for those who supported the opposition party.Now as I see it there is a flaw as many are not happy with the decision but will have to accept it. This predicament made me wonder if this system the best after all.Democracy is defined as “Rule of the people for the people, by the people” In democracy many times people vote for who they want not what they want. But is this the right system? I think not. The main thing that makes democracy wrong is that it doesn’t seek out what is best for its citizens but does what majority wants so what about the voice of those minorities who did not agree or lost out in the vote. I do agree democracy is the good system in the face of earth at the moment but it needs a lot of changes to make it the best system. It needs to inculcate the best from other systems to gain acceptance by people world over. Democracy transcends boundaries laid down by religions in the name of freedom of speech. I think man should limit himself of his freedom if it is likely to offend others choice. These laws should be in harmony. The real democracy will be when the government is able to satisfy all the people under its umbrella that is those in their side & those in the opposition by consensus. I feel a lot more refined democracy will be the answer & the world will be a peaceful place if all embrace that.
Ahsan ghori
Now that the recent elections have concluded in various provinces in India & results are out some pertinent questions came up in my mind.I always had a doubt about the system because it only reflects the majority mandate. Is it then the people’s choice as we call it? It is of course the majority choice even if the margin of victory is very small no doubt about it whatsoever.Now the minority will have to accept defeat and abide by the rule of the people who won in spite of having an ideological difference. So will the people be happy with the rule & policies of the ruling government. Of course not is the answer for those who supported the opposition party.Now as I see it there is a flaw as many are not happy with the decision but will have to accept it. This predicament made me wonder if this system the best after all.Democracy is defined as “Rule of the people for the people, by the people” In democracy many times people vote for who they want not what they want. But is this the right system? I think not. The main thing that makes democracy wrong is that it doesn’t seek out what is best for its citizens but does what majority wants so what about the voice of those minorities who did not agree or lost out in the vote. I do agree democracy is the good system in the face of earth at the moment but it needs a lot of changes to make it the best system. It needs to inculcate the best from other systems to gain acceptance by people world over. Democracy transcends boundaries laid down by religions in the name of freedom of speech. I think man should limit himself of his freedom if it is likely to offend others choice. These laws should be in harmony. The real democracy will be when the government is able to satisfy all the people under its umbrella that is those in their side & those in the opposition by consensus. I feel a lot more refined democracy will be the answer & the world will be a peaceful place if all embrace that.
Ahsan ghori
posted by AHSAN GHORI @ 10:18 AM
8 Comments:
At 10:23 AM,
Anonymous said…
YOU'RE SOOO RIGHT!!!
Of course, the workings of democracy depend on lot of things. Participation, awareness and education. To be exact. The voting public must have awareness of the issues, at hand. They must participate and actually vote, or else the results will be distorted and allow for the minority to rule (look at USA). Also the voter must be educated at least on the basics of governance in order to seriously vote for his/her best interest.
Example: I lived in the Philippines for 10 years. They are stuck in a sort of feudal system of governance, though in form democracy - In reality feudal allegiance. Before every election a candidate vould prepare envelopes with pre-filled voting ballots and ~500 (more or less) Philippine pesos for select supporters in a district (sworn opponents would not be thus enticed). For the most part, the electorate will vote for the one who offered the biggest dowry... Excuse the comparison. Hehe!
Thus they will ensure yet another corrupt candidate to take the office! On the other hand, anyone not paying doesn't stand a chance. Defeating corruption and advancing true democracy starts with self. Educate the voter! Of course, actual penalties for the cheaters is also recommended...
In Greece, voting is mandatory. Anyone not voting will be fined or even jailed, will not get a passport etc. Heavy penalties. It is all too easy to fall into apathy and think one's vote doesn't count. We need the stick, as well as the carrot, at times. In fact, Greek police will actually come to pick you up at home and bring you to the voting-station, if ya haven't managed to vote in time! I recommend this to all nations. Participation kills apathy!
Awareness is the most important thing. Once drawn into the voting-cycle most people will give thought at whom to vote. So there! Problem solved (almost).
Of course, there must be protections to the minorities. Such as a minimum number of seats in the parliament/congress/senate/duma etc. There also must be rules to stifle certain fancies, after all we humans are erratic, at best. For example 75% majority requirement to change constitution or 2/3 requirement for any changes with human right legistlation etc. etc. This is to safeguard against any episodes of national, superiority-complex, insanity (such as Germans with Hitler during the 1930's and Americans now) and other ill-conceived idealism. Well, it works if at least 26% or 37% of the nation has managed to retain a degree of their sanity. Of course, if there is a considerably higher propensity of lunacy in the nation the required percentages could be higher. Yet, one must keep in mind to keep these within reasonable limits as this power can also be abused and a minority could use this to blackmail the majority, even on rather mundane and harmless issues.
After all, we must keep in mind that at least 10% - 20% of our fellow citizens could be convinced on almost any insane idea one might come up with (consider the sk. "white man's burden", "earth is flat", "Santa Claus", and so and so on, so long's it says it makes "us" better than "them" and so long's it's constantly advertized and propagated to keep us comfortable. Hell, read yahoo's "Odd news" column to make sure. So with such a large proportion of populace susceptible to almost any fraud and lunacy some caution with the minority rules is imperative. Yet they have to be in place.
Democracy can never mean imposing your will on others by means of force! Be that political or actual (military coercion), it only works by voluntary means. Therefore, recogniton of minorities interersts and their basic right to exist is an essential part of democracy (be that as part of our community or separately, if they will).
The seeds of every human conflict on earth have been sewn because of the lack of this. Recognition, of the rights of others. We all recognize our own, yet while pointing out the faults of the other remain completely blind to our own greed and malice (eh, follow the USA - Iran row and you'll get the point). Be that preference due to denial, "patriotism" or some other pointless fad or fancy, it is nevertheless unexcusable.
Democracy, as any other system of goverment is therefore susceptible to human error and requires set rules and principles to follow. If those guidelines are poor or not followed the system will not work. If the rules are well thought-of and actually followed at all times (instead of, only-when-it-benefits-me) the system will also work.
Most important maybe, would be to remember that no plan is perfect. "A plan/rule that cannot be changed is a poor plan" someone once mentioned. Yet, a plan should not be changed for idle reasons upon a fad, fancy or momentary gain (minority rules).
Hence, at all times, prudent council will be needed. Crucial, in fact
At 10:24 AM,
Anonymous said…
Man, you shouldn't have gotten me started on this....
Anyways, if you think of it logically. Any system of government is only as good as the people who make it. Therefore, a "good" dictator might actually benefit a nation better than a poorly constructed democracy?!
The difference might lie with the numbers....
While it is possible to find one man/woman to govern any land with panache. We must also consider that the ultimate power DOES corrupt whomever it belongs to, if not restrained somehow. Thus, regular, uncorrupted elections will be necessary (to curb the power of one - Ruler. To benefit the many - Nation).
Yet, if ultimate power is given to anyone. They inevitably will use it to retain it and to strengthen their hold on power itself, only one man ever has resisted this temptation. Emperor Diolectianus I of ancient Rome, who retired and became a cabbage-farmer (albeit a rich one).
Therefore we move on to "Oligarkhy" or the "rule of the few", whereby a few rich well-off families rule the land with nepotism and the inevitable corruption that follows. Well, look to the Russian revolution of 1917 to see what follows of such practice. Nearly the entire ruling-class was murdered or exiled!!! Not a lasting form of government. Tempting, maybe for it favors the rich at the expense of others. All one's gotta do is to enrich a little to have a go at the goodies...
However, it is an exclusive club at the top. Who rule at their own right without regard for others, without regard even - For their own nation! For they are free to move to another country if troubles begin and take their wealth for their own benefit thus robbing the poor and the middle, even their own soldiers and police of their benefit. These people regard nothing but themselves! No good government can result of it (look at the Philippines).
Therefore the only choice left will be democracy. It is not perfect. Yet, offers the best hope for with such a large number of people involved there's gotta be one, maybe two or more sensible people in the group to govern the land.
With a Dictator, our chances are 50% - 50%, I reckon. Maybe smaller, for he/she has to egocentric anyways.
With Oligarkhy, the chances may be none. For it is a profiteering society, where the ruling class rips off the land knowing, it might have to exile one day. So they secure their allegiance future elsewhere.
With Democracy (true democracy), the chances might the best of all. Or at the least, we will be slow to commit to those horrendous mistakes....
Dunno, just a thought.... Ce est la vie!
At 10:24 AM,
Anonymous said…
HE! Stupid me. To make a long story short, democracy is not a "miracle-cure" it needs proper testing and regulation to work, just like any other medicine. Lest' you might risk some unexpected "side-effects"...
At 10:28 AM,
Anonymous said…
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
At 11:16 AM,
Anonymous said…
Absolutely!!! Great ideas here!! Yhough I doubt we could get any politician to vote for them... True, there must be penalties both ways. Also, methinks. Why should politicians be able to decide their own salary? Make it by popular vote, the parliamantarians, congressmen etc. can propose any salary. But to make it effectice there must be a popular vote on it! Have they deserved it?
Accountability begins when one recognizes where the payment is coming from. From the people - By the people! Right?
At 11:33 AM,
Anonymous said…
Lakshmi K said... 9:24 AM | 19/May/06 | |
Yes Ahsan, these politician get away with whatever they want...they don''t at all represent the ppl...all they think is just filling their own pockets n nothing else.
At 5:44 PM,
Anonymous said…
hello, i've read ur blog n wt u said is vry right abt evry topic of urs n i must say u have a keen knoweledge of the world around u. its nice 2 know tht the younger generation is interested in the country's burning economic & political issues. do carry on with ur work. all the best
kareena sood
At 6:31 AM,
Anonymous said…
Super color scheme, I like it! Good job. Go on.
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