By - Anubhav Jaiswal

Democracy in Athens

The earliest democracy in the world began in Athens, Greece, in 510 BC. Initially, Athens was a monarchy. Later, soldiers handpicked a new leader and put him in power. The leader would do what was best for himself and the soldiers. This system, which is known as a tyranny,was quite often unjust and oppressive.

Athens

By 800 BC, another form of government was established in Athens. It was the rule by a few rich and powerful families, and this system, known as an oligarchy, was not fair either. The Athenians decided that they wanted a just and fair means of

Oligarchy

government, and so, democracy was born.

In Athens, democracy meant that the administration was in the hands of the many and not the few, with equal justice given to all. Each year, 500 names were drawn from all the citizens of Athens. Those 500 citizens had to serve for oneyear as the law makers of ancient Athens.

All the citizens of Athens were required to vote on any new law that this body of 500 citizens created. Each man had one vote, and the majority ruled. However, women, children and slaves were not citizens, and thus, could not vote.

Direct Democracy

Direct democracy is a form of government in which the citizens make policies and laws themselves. All citizens are required to vote on any new law. This was the system followed in ancient Athens.

Need for the Transition from Direct Democracy to Indirect Democracy

In a state, especially one having high population, it is not possible for each and every citizen to get involved in this law making process each time. The process would become very time consuming and hence governance will become inefficient.

So it became necessary to elect some representatives which can take care of the issues citizens.

Indirect Democracy

Indirect democracy is a form of government in which the citizens elect representatives to make laws and policies on their behalf, but the ultimate power lies with the citizens. Elections are held after a fixed number of years to elect the representatives. Most of the democracies in the world today follow indirect democracy.However, when the opinion of all the citizens is required for some key issue, a referendum is held.

Referendum

A direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal is known as a referendum. This may be the adoption of a new constitution, a law or a specific governmental policy.

For example, in 1975, a referendum, the first of its kind, was held asking the electorate whether Britain should be part of the Common Market.

In other words, though democratic nations are now adopting indirect democracy to be more efficient in providing effective governance, direct democracy in form of referendum is used to get the opinion of all citizens as and when required.

American Revolution

The American Revolution (1775-1783) was the struggle of thirteen American colonies against Great Britain which laid the foundation of the largest democracy in the world today. Its major causes were:

1- The Stamp Act (1765): It was the first serious attempt to assert British authority over the thirteen American colonies by granting and applying certain stamp duties in the British occupied colonies.

2- The Townshend Acts: The Townshend Acts were a series of acts passed in January 1767, by the British Parliament. The sole purpose of these acts was to raise the revenue in American colonies and establish the precedent that the British Parliament had the right to tax them. The Townshend Acts met with a huge resistance from the colonies, thus prompting the occupation of Boston, by British troops in 1768.

3- The Tea Act and the Boston Tea Party: The Boston Tea Party was an outcome of the Tea Act imposed by British Parliament to restore the East India Company's full refund on the 25% duty imposed for importing tea into Britain. It also permitted the company to export tea to the American colonies on its own account and led to a number of protests from the colonies. On December 16, 1773, a group of colonists boarded the three shiploads of taxed tea in Boston and destroyed the tea by throwing it into Boston Harbor. The event became famously known as the Boston Tea Party.

This Revolution led to the end of British rule in the thirteen American colonies. They declared independence and established a democratic form of government. There was a division of power within the government between the legislative, executive and judiciary. The American constitution was documented and it guaranteed individual rights to its citizens. This model of governance was later adopted by many countries of the world.

French RevolutionThe French Revolution (1787-1799) is an example of a country which was ruled monarchs for centuries. The oppressed public finally revolted and adopted democracy. The three major causes of this revolution are:

1- Social cause: The French society was divided into three estates , the first two consisted of clergy and nobility respectively and the third estate consisted of merchants, businessmen, lawyers and peasants. The third estate was exploited by the other two estates who enjoyed many privileges, such as not paying taxes.

2- Economic cause: The third estate had to pay all the taxes imposed by the king as the other estates were exempted from it. The prices of bread rose which was the main staple diet of the people and there was subsistence crisis.

3- Immediate cause: Rumors spread that the king will order his troops to attack Paris (as the people were revolting), therefore, 4000 - 5000 people gathered and formed people's militia.

The French Revolution led to the end of monarchy in France. The society was no longer based on privileges. The declaration of the Rights of Man brought about the idea of equality and freedom to France and a democratic form of government inspired by the American Revolution was established.

Russian RevolutionThe Russian Revolution is another example where

the exploited working class revolted against the rulers are brought in a democratic system in their country. This revolution started due to three major factors:

1- The Czar Nicholas II was an absolute ruler who was not trained to be Czar (ruler). When there was a friendly protest by the common people in 1905, his subordinates had the army shoot them all. He resisted the creation of a representative government made from the aristocracy, angering them as well.

2- The industrial revolution did not come to Russia as soon as it came to other countries and there was no economic development. There was an emergence of the middle class. The rich landowners profited by renting the land to the peasants and demanding for high interests. So the peasants and labourers were exploited.

3- Russia was at war with Germany due to a treaty they had signed to protect the Serbians. Many Russian soldiers were killed and the military began deserting and returning to Russia. The revolution arose from all these groups. The communists, called the Bolsheviks were a part of the revolution.

All this led to the coming of socialism in Russia, and forced Tsar Nicholas II to give up power. The Bolsheviks took power and founded the Soviet Union, with Lenin as the leader.

Democracy: Most Desirable Form of Government

There are many factors why more and more nations are now preferring democractic form of government. The factors which contribute in making democracy the most favourable form of government are:

• Democracy is a more accountable form of government

• The government works for the welfare of the majority

• Fundamental rights are guaranteed to each and every citizen

• Government is responsible to the people• Government is elected by the people• Democracy ensures liberty and equality• Government is usually stable• Democracy improves the quality of decision

making• Democracy provides a method to deal with

differences and conflicts• Democracy guarantees freedom to all citizens

Democracy: Political, Social and Economic Dimensions

In order to be a democracy, a State must ensure political, social and economic equality.

Political Equality

Political equality refers to granting equal citizenship to all members of the state. Equal citizenship brings with it certain basic rights such as the right to vote, freedom of expression, movement and association and freedom of belief. These rights are necessary to enable citizens to develop themselves and participate in the affairs of the state.

Social Equality

Social equality ensures that each citizen gets equal opportunities, irrespective of caste, gender, religion etc. For this, it is necessary to minimize the effects of social and economic inequalities and guarantee certain minimum conditions of life to all the citizens, such as adequate health care, opportunity for proper education, adequate nourishment and a minimum wage.

Economic Equality

Economic inequality exists in a society if there are significant differences in wealth, property or income between individuals or classes. Most democracies try to make equal opportunities available to people with the belief that this would give those who have talent and determination the chance to improve their condition. This would reduce the gap between the rich and the poor.

Case Study: India

Why did India Choose to be a Democracy?

The long experience of authoritarian rule under the colonial state convinced Indians that free India should be a democracy in which everyone should be treated equally and be allowed to participate in government. They should not be forced to obey rules/laws that they have very little role in making.

Key Concerns while Adopting a Democratic form of Government

India is a nation where people from various cultures and religions reside. They have different lifestyles and speak different languages. Thus the constitution had to be formed in such a way that there is unity among all citizens, and each citizen is represented, with no discrimination whatsoever.

Key Features of the Indian Democracy

1- Federalism – This refers to the existence of more than one level of government in the country. In India, we have governments at the local level, state level and at the centre. This is done so that issues of local, state and national level can be countered and the needs of the people of various regions are looked after.

2- Parliamentary Form of Government – People in India have a direct role in electing representatives. Elections are based on Universal Adult Franchise, i.e. every citizen of India above the age of 18 has the right to vote, irrespective of caste, gender, religion etc.

3- Separation of Powers – According to the Constitution, there are three levels of state. These are the legislature (law makers), the executive (those who implement the laws) and the judiciary (system of courts). In order to prevent the misuse of power by one branch of the State, each organ exercises different powers. Thus each organ acts as a check on the other organs of the State, ensuring the balance of power between all three.

4- Fundamental Rights – They are the rights given to each and every citizen of India which help to protect citizens from the arbitrary and absolute exercise of power by the State or other citizens.

5- Secularism – This ensures that India does not officially promote any one religion as the State religion. This helps in avoiding discrimination on the basis of religion. However, India intervenes in religious matters in order to end a social practice that violates the fundamental rights of citizens such as untouchability, unequal distribution of inherited property between sons and daughters, child marriage etc.

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