3. INTRODUCTION
Democracy was established itself as a major ideal in the 20th
century. It has been most inspearing for te people living under c donial
powers. Democracy is the most valued of all political terms in the
modern world. Democracy, or democratic government is a system of
government in which all the people of a state or polity are involved in
making decisions about its affairs, typically by voting to elect
representatives to a parliament.
Democracy is further defind as;
a) Government by the people; especially rule of the majority.
b) A government in which the supreme power is vested in the people
and exercised by them direcly or indirecly through a system of
representations.
According to political scientist Larry Diamond, it consist of four
key elements:
1. A political system for choosing and replacing the government
through free and fair elections.
4. 2. The active participation of the people, as citizens in politics
and civic life.
3. Protection of the human rights of all citizens.
4. A rule of law, in which the laws and procedures apply equally
to all citizens.
Meanig and definition of Democracy
Democracy is atransaction of the Greek word Democratia -
It is Greek word is a compination of two Greek words ‘demos’
which means ‘people’ nd critia which means ‘power’.
It simply means the power of the people or peoples power
Definitions
l According to ‘Abraham Linkon’ “Democracy is the
government of the people by the people and for the people.”
l According to ‘Selly’ “ Democracy is a Government in which
every one has a share.”
l According to A.B. Dicey, A.B. Dicey describes “ Democracy
as a form of government, in which the governing body it is a
coparitively large faction of internation.”
5. There are two types of democracy
1. Direct or pure democracy
2. Indirect or representative democracy
Direct or Pure Democracy
When the people directevely participate in there own affair
practice in the formation of policies, The type of government is called
pure or Directive democracy.
According to Hearnshaw, “Ademocratic form of government
in the strict sense is on the in which the community as whole, Directely
or immeditely, without agenes of reprasentive performs the function
of sovernighty.
Directive democracy is possible only in small states. where
the people can as simple at on place to express their will. It was
being practiced in Greek, city, state and today is being practicised on
only for cantons of Switzerland.
The different forms of direct Democracy are;
l Recall
6. l Referndum
l Initative
l Plebiscite
Indirect or Representive Democracy
In modern states of large size and large population, pure
Democracy can not succeeding have, therefor opted fore representative
or indirect democracy. In direct democracy the will of the state is
formulated and expressed not directevely by the people themselves, but
why there representives to whome they deligated the power of delibration
and division making.
Basic Principles of Democracy
An analyses of the concept of democracy leads to the formal
condition of the following principles of democracy are:-
1) People the suprime and central theme.
It implaise that the government of a country mustbe in the hands
of her own people and that this government must reflect the will of the
people.
7. 2) Liberty
The main basis of democracy is liberty. The people enjoy
maximum liberty because critisism of the people is not only tolirated
but also encouraged in this system.
3) Equality
Special empisize is laid of equality in democracy. There is
low difference among the people under the causes of caste, creed ,
vast, religion and possition or status eg: untouchability has been
abolished in India.
4) The people as ultimate force of soverignty
In a democracy people are the ultimate force of soverignty.
The government derivase its power from the people.
5. Fundamental Rights
The people in a democratic state must posses fundamental or
basis rights. These rights include, right to equality, freedom,
education, Religion and sequrity against arbitatry arrest and
impresonment freedom or assembly and association.
8. 6. Rule of law and Independent judiciary
A preequisited of democracy is that there shoule be rule of law
and judiciary should be absulutely independent. The rule of law inside
that all should be treated as equals.
7. Welfare States
Democracy is a welfare states in it special attention is paid to
the welfare of the people as a whole and not to a particular class.
Democracy contrasts with form of government where power is
either held by and individual, as in an absolute monarchy, or where
power is held by a small of individuals, as in an oligurchy Neverthelesss,
these oppositions, in herited from Greek philosophy, are now
ambiguous because contemporary governments have mixed democratic,
oligarchic and monarchic elements.
Merits of the Democracy
l It is a government of the peoples representatives
l It stance for the welfare of all
l It is a responsible and responsive government
9. l It enshurance peaceful change of government
l It based on rule of law
Demerits of the Democracy
l IT virtually function as and oligarchy
l It is not a stable form of government
l It is a very expensive system
l It gives undue importance to quality ratherthan quantity.
l It becomes a government of Rich
Several Variants or democracy exist, but there are two basis
forms, both of which concern how the whole body of all eligible
citizens executes its will. One form of democracy is direct, in which
all eligible citizens have direct and active participation in the political
decision making.
10. CONCLUSION
The term “ democracy” first appeared in ancient Greek
political and philosophical thought in the city - state ofAthens during
classical antiquity while representative democracy is sometimes
equated with the republican form of government, the term “ republic”
classically has encompassed both democracies and aristocracies.
Several variants of democracy exist, but there are two basic forms,
both of which concern how the whole body of al eligible citizens
executesits will. one form of democracy is direct democracy, in which
all eligible citizens have direct and active participation in the political
decision making. In 2010 the united Nations declared september
15th International day of Democracy.
