Democracy In democracy supreme power is in the hands of people who exercise this power either directly or indirectly, thought the elected representatives who responsible to the people

Various aspects of democracy Democratic state Democratic state Democratic government Democratic government Democratic society Democratic society Democratic economic order Democratic economic order Democratic way of life Democratic way of life

Characteristics of democracy Sovereignty with the people Sovereignty with the people State and government are considered means State and government are considered means Faith in the rationality of man Faith in the rationality of man Liberty Liberty Equality Equality Fraternity Fraternity Provision of fundamental rights Provision of fundamental rights Independent and impartial judiciary Independent and impartial judiciary Rule of majority Rule of majority

Respect of public opinion Respect of public opinion Faith in peaceful and constitutional methods Faith in peaceful and constitutional methods Freedom to form opposition parties Freedom to form opposition parties Open competition for political power Open competition for political power Periodic elections Periodic elections Independent means of propaganda Independent means of propaganda Rule of law Rule of law Decentralization of power Decentralization of power Pluralistic character nof society Pluralistic character nof society

Kinds of democracy Direct democracy-: in direct democracy people take direct part in the administration of the state. In modern time direct democracy is prevalant only in five cantons of Switerzerland. But in other few states also there are some characteristics of direct democracy. Direct democracy-: in direct democracy people take direct part in the administration of the state. In modern time direct democracy is prevalant only in five cantons of Switerzerland. But in other few states also there are some characteristics of direct democracy.

Characteristics of direct democracy The primary assemblies or landsgemeinde The primary assemblies or landsgemeinde Referendum Referendum 1. Compulsory referendum 2. Optional; referendum Initiative Initiative 1. Formulated 2. Unformulated Plebiscite Plebiscite Right to recall Right to recall

Merits of direct democracy Based on popular sovereignty Based on popular sovereignty Best method to know public opinion Best method to know public opinion Close relationship between the voters and the legislature Close relationship between the voters and the legislature People get political education People get political education Laws are better obeyed Laws are better obeyed Check over legislatures Check over legislatures Best method to resolve the dead lock between two houses of legislature Best method to resolve the dead lock between two houses of legislature Proper protection of the interests of the people Proper protection of the interests of the people It minimise the bad effects of political parties It minimise the bad effects of political parties No fear of revolution No fear of revolution

Demerits of direct democracy It lowers the prestige of legislature It lowers the prestige of legislature Common man is not competent to make law Common man is not competent to make law Hindrance in the way of progressive legislation Hindrance in the way of progressive legislation It is an expensive system It is an expensive system Causes delay in the passing of laws Causes delay in the passing of laws Referendum is a not a sound way to know the public opinion Referendum is a not a sound way to know the public opinion Defect of political parties Defect of political parties Indifferent attitude of the people Indifferent attitude of the people

Merit of democracy Government is based on the will and consent of the people Government is based on the will and consent of the people The government seeks the welfare of all The government seeks the welfare of all Administration is good and responsible Administration is good and responsible People get political education People get political education Government is based on liberty, equality and fraternity Government is based on liberty, equality and fraternity In this government there is less possibility of revolution In this government there is less possibility of revolution

It promotes patriotism It promotes patriotism It bring efficiency in the administration It bring efficiency in the administration Social economic and political reforms Social economic and political reforms It brings the spirit of unity among the people It brings the spirit of unity among the people Proper opportunities for the development of man Proper opportunities for the development of man Protection of the rights and liberties of the people Protection of the rights and liberties of the people This government is based on public oppinion This government is based on public oppinion

Demerits of democracy More importance to quantity than quality More importance to quantity than quality It is based on the principle of unnatural equality It is based on the principle of unnatural equality It is cult of incompetence It is cult of incompetence Dominance of bureaucracy Dominance of bureaucracy It is expensive government It is expensive government Unstable government Unstable government Bad effects of political parties Bad effects of political parties

Dictatorship of the majority Dictatorship of the majority It lowers the moral standard of people It lowers the moral standard of people It is not government of all It is not government of all It is the government of rich It is the government of rich Weak government during emergency Weak government during emergency Politics becomes a profession Politics becomes a profession It weakens national unity It weakens national unity Indifferent attitude of voters Indifferent attitude of voters

Necessary conditions for the success of democracy Eternal vigilance Eternal vigilance Educated and intelligent citizens Educated and intelligent citizens High moral character of people High moral character of people Economic quality and prosperity Economic quality and prosperity Social equality Social equality Independent and impartial judiciary Independent and impartial judiciary Free and honest press Free and honest press Well-organised political parties Well-organised political parties Good constitution Good constitution

Able leadership Able leadership Peace and order Peace and order Co-operation and toleration Co-operation and toleration Local self government Local self government Decentralization of powers Decentralization of powers Free and fair elections Free and fair elections Rule of law and civil liberties Rule of law and civil liberties Public supremacy over military Public supremacy over military Proper representation to minorities Proper representation to minorities Honest and efficient bureaucracy Honest and efficient bureaucracy

References Aggarwal R.C., Principles of Political Science, S.Chand Company, New Delhi, Aggarwal R.C., Principles of Political Science, S.Chand Company, New Delhi, Badyal, J.S, Political Theory, Raj Publishers, 2012, Jalander. Badyal, J.S, Political Theory, Raj Publishers, 2012, Jalander. Garner James Wildford, Political Science and Government, The World Press Priviate LTD. Calcutta, Garner James Wildford, Political Science and Government, The World Press Priviate LTD. Calcutta, Gauba O.P, An Introduction to Political Theory, Macmillan Publisher, Delhi, Gauba O.P, An Introduction to Political Theory, Macmillan Publisher, Delhi, Heywood Andrew, Political Theory An Introduction, Palgrave Macmillan, New Yeork, Heywood Andrew, Political Theory An Introduction, Palgrave Macmillan, New Yeork, 2005.

Misra K.K & Iyengar Kalpana. M, Modern Political Theory, S.Chand Company, New Delhi, Misra K.K & Iyengar Kalpana. M, Modern Political Theory, S.Chand Company, New Delhi, Ray Amal, Political Theory Idess and Institutions, The World Press Priviate LTD. Calcutta, 1988 Ray Amal, Political Theory Idess and Institutions, The World Press Priviate LTD. Calcutta, 1988 Johari J.C, Principles of Modern Political Science, Sterling Publishers, New Delhi, Johari J.C, Principles of Modern Political Science, Sterling Publishers, New Delhi, 1989.

By By Dr. AMANDIP KAUR Dr. AMANDIP KAUR DEPTT. OF POLITICAL SCIENCE, DEPTT. OF POLITICAL SCIENCE, PGGCG, SEC. 11, CHANDIGARH PGGCG, SEC. 11, CHANDIGARH