CHAPTER - 04 KEY ELEMENTS OF A DEMOCRATIC GOVT.

 

KEY ELEMENTS OF A DEMOCRATIC GOVT. VIDEO LINK


NOTES

It is generally perceived that democracy is the best form of government as it grants several rights to people. 

Ending of Racial Discrimination:

(i) For over nearly six decades in late 20th century, Africa was under the illicit practice of apartheid or racial discrimination. 

(ii) Majority of South African population was black (Negroid race). The white settlers (Caucasian race) pursued a policy of ruthless suppression towards the blacks or Negroids.

(iii) The discrimination was so apparent that everyone could see it. 

(iv)Hospitals were separate and so were ambulances. An ambulance for white people would always be in good condition whereas the one for black people was not.

(v) Trains and buses were separate for white and black people. Even the bus stops were different for black and white people.

(vi) Non-whites were not permitted to vote.

(vii) The best land of South Africa was reserved for the white people and non-whites had to settle down at the worst land. There was a township for black people caled Soweto.

(viii) After several decades of prolonged struggle, the policy of racial discrimination towards blacks came to an end in 1994 when Nelson Mandela was put into power as a President.

(ix) Finally, South Africa became a democratic country in which people of all races were considered equal.

Participation:

(i) For a successful democracy, it is essential for people to participate in its governance.

(ii) People participate in government through their representatives. These representatives take decisions on behalf of the people. While taking decisions, they keep in mind the interests and voices of the people. In India, the governments are elected for a fixed period of five years. If they want to continue to be in power, then they have to be re-elected by the people. This is a moment when people can sense their power in a democracy. In this way, the power of the government gets limited by regular elections.

(iii) This participation takes place through voting in elections and taking interest in working of government and criticise it whenever required .

(iv) People criticise government in form of dharnas, rallies, strikes, signature campaigns and other form of protests.Wrong and unjust decisions are also brought forward through newspapers, magazines and TV.These play an important role in discussing issues and responsibilities of the government. 

(v) In a democracy, everyone can raise their voices but some sections of people are actually not able to do so. People sometimes organise themselves into social movements that seek to challenge the government and its functioning. Members of the minority community, dalits, adivasis, women and others participate in this manner.

(vi) Mass media like TV, newspapers, magazines and other agencies also play a vital role in highliting public issues and moulding public opinion. 

(vii) If a country's citizens are alert and interested in how the country is run, then the government of that country will be strionger.

Resolving Conflicts: Role of Government:

(i) Conflicts occur when people of different culture ,religion, region or economic background do not get along with one another .Conflict can lead to violence and death on many occasions.It occurs when one group decides that they can use force to prevent the other group from protesting.People sometimes use violent steps to settle their differences.This violence brings fear and tension among others who live in and around the area.

(ii) Religious processions and celebrations can sometimes , lead to conflicts .Suppose a religious procession takes the route of another community's locality,then someone may throw stones or try to disrupt the procession.

(iii) It is the government’s responsibility to resolve these conflicts.The government specially the police plays an important role in tackling such conflicts.They meet the representatives of the communities concerned and try to arrive at a solution. The police is responsible for ensuring that violence does not take place.

Rivers as a Source of Conflict ( Case Study)

(i) Sometimes, sharing of river water between different states becomes an issue or problem .

(ii) For example, Tamil Nadu would get water from River Kaweri only if Karnataka releases it. It happens only for downstream and upstream locations. Thus, neither of the two states gets enough water to meet their needs. This leads to conflict.

(iii) Conflict lead to creation of a tribunal . The Central Government plays a significant role here in ensuring that both states get fair distribution of water and no conflict arises in future.

Equality and Justice:

(i) It is responsibility of a democratic government to give impartial justice and ensure equality .(ii) Equality and Justice are two different sides of the same coin and are inseparable in democracy.
(iii) The practice of untouchability is now banned by law.In earlier times,this group of people were denied education,transport or medical facilities and prohibited from entering into the temples. Dr. B.R Ambedkar, waged a long struggle for getting rights to Dalits or untouchables. 
(iv) Laws are made to abolish untochability.
(v) In our society,there is a tendency to value the boy child more than the girl child.This means that the society does not value the girl and the boy child equally and this is injustice. In this environment the government takes steps to promote justice by providing special provisions that can enable girls to overcome the injustice that they are subjected to.The Hindu Marriage Act provides equal inheritance right to daughters in their father’s property.
(vi) Without justice and equality democracy would remain meaningless and directionless.

Exercise

Question 1. How would Maya's life be different in South Africa today?
Answer.  If Maya lived in South Africa today she will enjoy equal rights to participate in the affairs of the government. Now South Africa became a democratic country in which people of all races were considered equal. There is no discrimination now on the basis of color. 

Question 2. What were various ways in which people participate in the process of government?
Answer. The people in a democracy participate in the process of government in the following ways:

  1. By taking participate in dharnas, rallies, strikes, signature campaigns etc.
  2. Another way for people to participate is by organising themselves into social movements that seek to challenge the government and its functioning. Members of the minority community, Dalits, Adivasis, women, and others are often able to participate in this manner.
  3. Besides voting, people participate by taking an interest in the working of the government by asking questions, seeking explanations and criticising it, when required.
  4. People show an active interest in the functioning of the government by expressing a public opinion through the mass media. Newspapers, magazines, TV also play a role in discussing government issues and responsibilities.

Question 3. Why do you think we need the government to find solutions to many disputes or conflicts?
Answer. People may use violent means to settle their differences. This leads to fear and tension among others living in an area. The government is responsible for helping to resolve conflicts. Government is equally responsible or required to find solutions to conflicts. For example, religious processions and celebrations can sometimes lead to conflicts. The route a procession takes may lead to a conflict. The government, particularly the police, play an important role in getting representatives of concerned communities to meet and try and arrive at a solution. 

Question 4. What actions does the government take to ensure that all people are treated equally?
Answer. The government takes the following actions to ensure that all people are treated equally:

  1. Any act of discrimination against the untouchable is punishable according to the law. 
  2. All citizens are given equal rights on the basis of caste, religion, gender and economic status. 
  3. The government makes special provisions for the underprivileged people.
  4. The government takes steps to provide justice by providing special provisions to the girl child. e.g, the girl child suffers injustice at the hands of the parents and society. In order to overcome this injustice, fees of the girl in the school may be waived or lowered in government schools or colleges. 

Question 5. Read through the chapter and discuss some of the key ideas of a democratic government. Make a list. For example, all people are equal.
Answer. The key ideas of a democratic government are the following:

  1. The right of the people to vote in the elections.
  2. The re-election of the government, after a fixed period.
  3. The people carry out campaigns and rallies.
  4. Responsible government.
  5. Justice and equality to all.
  6. Abolition of discriminations.
  7. Opportunities for equal education to all.