Challenges to Democracy

Democracy has no ChallengerBut

Has Challenges

What is a Challenge?

A difficulty that carries within it an opportunity for progress.

The Challenges

1. Foundational Challenge2. Challenge of Expansion3. Challenge of Deepening

The Foundational Challenge

It’s found in those countries where Democracy is not there

How to overcome this Challenge?1.Bring down non Democratic Form of

Govt.2.Keep the Military away

3.Establish a sovereign and functional state

The Challenge of ExpansionMost Democracies face this Challenge

How to overcome this Challenge?

The Challenge of ExpansionHow to overcome this Challenge?

Less and less decision should remain outside the areas of democratic control.

In essence, this challenge can be overcome if Democracy becomes more

inclusive.

The Challenge of ExpansionVisible steps taken in India

Division of Power between the Central Government and the State Govts.

Reserved seats for SCs/STs and OBCsPoverty Alleviation Programmes

The Challenge of DeepeningAll Democracies face this Challenge

How to Overcome this Challenge?

Strengthening the Institutions and practice of Democracy

People should be able to realise their expectations

Bring down the control of the Rich and the Powerful in Decision making Process

The Challenge of DeepeningWhy is it difficult to overcome?

People have different expectationsExpectations vary from country to country

Also varies from time to timeThe best way is to strengthen those institutions of Democracy that help People’s participation and Control

The Challenge of DeepeningVisible steps taken in India

AAP consulted people in Delhi before forming the Government

RTI and RTELokpal

Political Reforms/Democracy Reforms

There cannot be a ready made solution

Challenges vary with Space and Time

What is a relevant solution can become

obsolete tomorrow

Solution for one Democracy may not

apply to another

Political Reforms/Democracy Reforms

Some Broad Suggestions

1. Legal Constitutional Changes

2. Quality of Political Practice

3. Role of Pressure Groups, Movements,

Media and Citizens

Political Reforms/Democracy Reforms

Legal Constitutional Changes

1. It’s tempting to think about these

changes.

2. Should be carefully designed to

encourage Good practice and

discourage Bad practice

Political Reforms/Democracy Reforms

Legal Constitutional Changes

3. If not carefully thought of, it can become

counter productive

Examples:

a) LBW has improved the quality of Cricket

playing because the law was accepted

by all stake holders –Players, Coaches

and Administrators.

Political Reforms/Democracy Reforms

Legal Constitutional ChangesExamples:b) RTI is one such carefully thought of Legal

change.c) Some states banned persons having

more than 2 children from contesting elections. This was carefully thought. It snatched away the basic Right to Represent

Political Reforms/Democracy Reforms

Quality of Political Practice The principle way to reform Politics is to

strengthen Democratic Practice. There is a need to increase and improve

the quality of political practice by ordinary citizens

Political Reforms/Democracy Reforms

1. Role of Pressure Groups, Movements,

Media and Citizens

Political parties don’t pass laws that go against their interest.

So, its necessary to think not only of good solution but also who implements them.

Hence, citizens organisations, political movements and media are likely to succeed.

That’s it. The rest in the Class