1. Democracy JYOTI Assistant Professor Department of Political Science
PGGC-11
Chandigarh

2. Democracy is the most popular and the most talked about form of the modern era.
Dicey, “Democracy is the form of government in which governing body is comparatively a large fraction of the entire nation.”
Abraham Lincoln, “Democracy is a government of the people, for the people and by the people.”

3. Various Aspects of Democracy
Democratic Government
Democratic State
Democratic Society
Democratic Economic Order

4. Kinds Direct or Pure Democracy Indirect or Representative Democracy
Communist or People’s Democracy
Capitalist or Liberal Democracy

5. Main Features Sovereignty lies with the people
Belief in the rationality of man
Representative government
Universal adult franchise
Government based on people’s consent
people’s participation
Rights and civil liberties
Equality
Limited and constitutional government
Common good of the people

6. Rule of law
Independent and impartial judiciary
Open competition for political power
Independent mass media
Periodic elections
Separation of powers
Decentralization of power
Accountability of executive
Rule of majority
Peaceful means
Pluralist society

7. Merits It is based on the consent of people
It promotes the welfare of all
It protects the rights and liberties of the people
It is based on equality and fraternity
It gives political education to the people
It leads to development of personality
It promotes sense of patriotism and loyality towards the state
It ensures efficiency of the government
It ensures stability and responsibility of the government

8. It promotes respect for law
It works for unity among the people
There is less possibility of the revolutions
It creates proper atmosphere for social, economic and political reform
It is form of government by public criticism
Democracy stands for peace.

9. Demerits It is cult of incompetence
It lays more emphasis in equality rather than quality
It is very low in working
This form of government is very expensive
It is not a stable form of government
It is weak in the time of war and emergency
Corruption
It is a government of rich people

10. It is not a responsible government
Indifference of voters
Bad effect of political parties
Politics become a profession
It establishes tyranny of the majority
Democracy is a myth

11. Conditions for the Success
Strong desire
Educated and intelligent citizens
Eternal vigilance
Free and honest press
Economic prosperity
Good constitution
Good leadership
High moral character

12. Local Self-Government
Well organised party system
Fundamental rights
Independent judiciary
Separation of power
Peace and security
Tolerance and cooperation