KERALA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OFTEACHER EDCUATION

KOLLAM – 691 009

Web: www. Kucte.org

SEMESTER – II

ONLINE ASSIGnMENT

EDU 09.10: THEORITICAL BASE OF

SOCIAL SCIENCE EDUCATION.

2

KERALA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OFTEACHER EDCUATION

KOLLAM – 691 009

Web: www. Kucte.org

SEMESTER – II

ONLINE ASSIGnMENT

Name of Trainee: PRAJEESH RAJ.P Subject: SOCIAL SCIENCE

Candidate Code: 13973019 Year : 2013-2014

Certified Bonafide Record:

Date:17/9/2014 . Assistant ProfessorPlace: Kollam.

3

TOPIC:-

THE CHALLENGES

FACED BY INDIAN

DEMOCRACY

INDEX

SL. NO

CONTENT PAGE NO.

1. Introduction 1

2. Data of the study 2-11

3. Conclusion 12

4. Suggestion 13

5. References 14

1

Introduction

The term democracy is derived from ‘demos’ and ‘Cratia’

which respectively mean people and power; thus democracy means

“Power in the hands of the people”. Democracy is a form of

government where sovereignty belongs to the people; the

government is representative of the people and responsible to them;

the purpose of the state is welfare of the people which includes the

development of personalities of the citizens. It is thus not only a

form of government but also a type of state as well as an order of

society. According to Bassett, Democracy is essentially a matter of

political method. Democracy is not a particular kind of civilization. It

is rather a civilized way of taking political action. Democracy

reconciles freedom with the need for laws and its enforcement. It

may be defined as “a political method by which every citizen has the

opportunity of participating through discussion in an attempt to

reach voluntary agreements as to what shall be done for the good of

the community as whole”. In fact democracy is not only a form of

government, it is also a way of life.

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Data of the study

DEMOCRACY

Democracy is a form of government in which all eligible citizens are

meant to participate equally – either directly or, through elected

representatives, indirectly – in the proposal, development and

establishment of the laws by which their society is run. The term

originates from the Greek (demokratia) "Rule of the people", which

was found from (Demos) "people" and (kratos) "power" or "rule" in

the 5th century BCE to denote the political systems then existing in

Greek city-states, notably Athens; the term is an antonym to

(aristokratia) "Rule of an elite". While theoretically these definitions

are in opposition, in practice the distinction has been blurred

historically. The political system of Classical Athens, for example,

granted democratic citizenship to an elite class of free men and

excluded slaves and women from political participation. In virtually

all democratic governments throughout ancient and modern history,

democratic citizenship consisted of an elite class until full

enfranchisement was won for all adult citizens in most modern

democracies through the suffrage movements of the 19th and 20th

centuries. The English word dates to the 16th century, from the

older Middle French and Middle Latin equivalents.

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Democracy contrasts with forms of government where

power is either held by an individual, as in an absolute monarchy, or

where power is held by a small number of individuals, as in an

oligarchy. Nevertheless, these oppositions, inherited from Greek

philosophy, are now ambiguous because contemporary

governments have mixed democratic, oligarchic, and monarchic

elements. Karl Popper defined democracy in contrast to dictatorship

or tyranny, thus focusing on opportunities for the people to control

their leaders and to oust them without the need for a revolution.

Several variants of democracy exist, but there are two basic forms,

both of which concern how the whole body of all eligible citizens

executes its will. One form of democracy is direct democracy, in

which all eligible citizens have direct and active participation in the

political decision making. In most modern democracies, the whole

body of eligible citizens remains the sovereign power but political

power is exercised indirectly through elected representatives; this is

called a representative democracy or democratic republic.

INDIAN DEMOCRACY

India is the seventh largest (by area) and the second most populous

country in the world, with roughly one-sixth of its population, of

about a billion and a quarter. It is the world's largest democracy by

electorate. It is one of the world's oldest civilizations, yet a very

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young nation. This is due to the fact that it was under Moghul

control for much of its history until its colonization by European

powers, before finally gaining its freedom in 1947 after a long

independence movement initiated by individuals such as Mahatma

Gandhi. Elections to its Parliament are held once every 5 years.

Currently, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Damodardas Modi is the

head of the government, enjoying a majority in the Parliament, while

President Pranab Mukherjee, is the head of state. India is a

constitutional republic governed under the world's longest written

constitution, federally consisting of 29 states and seven centrally

administered union territories, with New Delhi as the nation's

capital. The country has six main national parties: the Indian

National Congress (INC), BhartiyaJanta Party (BJP), Communist Party

of India (CPI) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)),

BahujanSamaj Party (BSP) and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

At the level of its states, many regional parties stand for elections to

state legislatures, every five years.Inrajyasabha elections will be

held for every 6 years.

Factors affecting democracy

The Indian democracy is the best understood by focusing on how

power is divided. The earliest forms of Republics and Kingdoms in

India were called Jana and Mahajanapada.

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Regions

India is very densely populated. Some advocate splitting some

twenty nine states and seven union territories. It is the 2nd-most

populated country in the world.

Other factors

Factors such as education, corruption, women's issues, student

politics, leadership strategies and the design of political institutions

affect national and local politics. Some other factors such as the

caste issue, environment policy, new long-term investment in the

economy by foreigners etc., also have a bearing. Factors such as

education, corruption, women's issues, student politics, and

criminalization of politics, leadership strategies and the design of

political institutions affect national and local politics. Some other

factors such as the caste issue, environment policy, new long-term

investment in the economy by foreigners etc., also have a bearing.

Challenges of Indian Democracy

No Political system work in vacuum. Every political system has

to work in particular and historical factors of the concerned society.

It is no fact that every political system is conditioned by the

environment in which it operates. Indian democracy can’t be an

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exception to this universal rule and it is undoubtedly conditioned by

a number of social and economic factors. Which are proving

alarming challenges to Indian democracy.

Impact of Social Inequalities of Indian democracy

Social inequality indispensable for the success of democracy.

Social equality means that there should be no discrimination against

citizens on the basis of caste, class, colour, creed, sex and language.

But in practice social inequalities exist in India. Castism is the main

reason for social inequality. Society is divided into higher and lower

castes each hating the other.

In Indian democracy ultimate power is vested with the marses.

But majority of the people in India are poor. Efficient people keep on

acquiring more and more wealth and poverty. While the poor

continue to get poorer. Poverty is the root cause of various evils.

The poor people do not think about the elections even. He can’t

even use his right to vote independently. During the elections the

rich distribute blankets, Cycles, serving machines and other things

among the poor. So that they can get the vote of the poor.

The attitude of the people has become narrow because of

social inequality. Every class thinks in terms of its own interest and

not national interest. The upper castes have their monopoly

established in the administration. Majority of the people remains in

different to political activities because of social in equality. Thus

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establishment of social equality is essential for successful

democracy.

Impact of Illiteracy on Democracy

Education is the very basis of good life and it is all dark in the

absence of democracy. Democracy survives on the basis of the

support from national minded citizens and national minded

intelligent citizens are prepared through education. An uneducated

person lacks confidence and possesses no capacity to understand

and solve the problems facing the country. An illiterate person has a

narrow outlook towards life and believes in castism, communication

and religiolism.

In India, healthy public opinion can’t be developed because of

illiteracy. So the masses in India should be literate and alert for the

success of Democracy.

Impact of violence on Democracy

Violence is becoming a dominant aspect of political life of our

country. In extreme form violence may cause death of individuals.

There are several forms of violence in evidence in India.

1. Inter communal violence.

2. Political violence

3. Electoral violence

4. Violence by terrorist organization

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Violence is becoming a dominant aspect of political life of our

country. People report to violence for different purpose and with

different motives.

The following steps would minimize the Role of violence in

Indian politics.

1. The factors which give rise to violence must be clearly

identified and dealt without their proper identification the

use of violence can hardly be checked.

2. Religious fundamentalism must not be encouraged,

Religious freedom must be allowed but religious

fundamentalism should be tolerate in any way.

3. Political parties based on religious and casts must be

banned because their activities often become responsible

for communal and caste roots.

In order to such violence during election a magistrate should

be designated in every constituency. He should have the

responsibility of dialing with case of electoral violence before

and during the time of polling.

Necessary Conditions

There is no doubt that democracy, as it exists today

suffer from various defects. There are some political

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philosophers suggest some remedies to cure the present ills is

democracy. The necessary conditions are:-

1. Education: - Democracy will be success in a state where

people are educated. Lack of commonsense is dangerous in

a democracy. This defect can be remedied by universal

education and wide dissemination of knowledge.

2. Vigilance: - Alertness of the people is essential condition

without which the true idea of democracy can’t be realized.

Constant vigilance is the price of liberty.

3. Civil Sense: - The citizens should possess a high degree of

civic sense. They should take a living and healthy interest in

the public life of their country.

4. Peace and order: - Democracy is a success is a society

where peace and order prevail.

5. Spirit of Toleration: - A keen spirit of toleration is

essential for constructive criticism and healthy discussion.

6. Well organized party system:- Democracy and party

system go hand in hand. Every political party has a clear

policy and programs.

7. Effective opposition: - A strong and effective opposition is

necessary for the success of democracy.

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8. Freedom of speech, Association and Press: -Individual

liberty is the core of democracy. These freedoms allow a

free scope for the proper expansion of human personality.

9. Absence of poverty:- In a society where the majority are

living in poverty democracy can’t be a success.

10. Removal of gross inequalities of wealth: - Extreme

wealth impacts the success of democracy to a great extent.

Strength of Indian Democracy

1. Common Welfare: -Only in a democratic society, common

welfare can be promoted. The government will respond to the

needs of all, since power of sovereignty vested in all.

2. Rule of law: - It is only in a democracy that the rule of

persons and classes is replaced by the “rule of law”, where

fundamental rights are guaranteed and treated as limitations

upon the government.

3. Develops the spirit of patriotism:- Democracy strengthens

the love of country because citizens feel that the government

is their own creation and rules are their servants rather than

masters.”

4. Stable Government: - Democracy serves as a training school

for citizenship; it strengthens patriotism and there by minimize

the possibilities of discontent and revolution.

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5. Self-government:- Democracy is a self-government. It is a

government of the people, by the people, for the people.

Weakness of Indian Democracy

1. Inefficiency: -The political leaders are more busy in forming

political alliances and there by maintaining their position rather

than looking after the administration.

2. Expensive: - It is very expensive type of government

parliaments, cabinets, election, machinery are all a costly

affaires and a burden on the tax payers.

3. Wrong political Education: - Democracy provides political

education, but the type of education it provides is wrong on

certain occasions.

4. Can’t meet emergencies: - It is pointed out that

democracies are unfit to meet emergencies like economic

depression. The government had to assume dictatorial powers

in democratic states.

5. Based on quantity: - Democracy is not concerned with the

quality of the voter, his ability, standard of education and his

interest in politics. It only considers the number of votes cast.

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CONCLUSION

To conclude, the future of Indian democracy hangs in the

balance. It is standing on cross round, leading to people’s

democracy. There is no denying fact that the political democracy as

it exists is most of the capitalistic states of the world today, suffers

from various drawbacks. But democracy itself is not at fault. The

defect is laid on the socio economic system in which it is made to fit.

It will take time to remove all the challenges in Indian democracy.

The new generations bear the responsibility laid upon them by the

fathers of the constitution to make this experiment a success. The

whole world is watching India’s experiment in democracy.

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SUGGESTIONS

1. Political parties based on religious and caste must be banned

because their activities often become responsible for

communal and caste riots.

2. Establishment of social equality

3. By executing the plans successfully, by developing our

economy rapidly, that employment will be possible and

comfortable economic life for all assumed.

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REFERENCES

S.L. Kalely, ‘Political science theory’.

Prof. T.R. Kuttikrishnan, ‘Political Science’.

Khatri, Naresh, ‘Anatomy of Indian Brand of Crony Capitalism’, 2013.

Kohli, Suresh, ‘Corruption in India: The Growing Evil’, 1975.

Dwivedy, Surendranath, ‘Political Corruption in India’, 1967.

Gupta, K. N., ‘Corruption in India’, 2001.

Halayya, M., ‘Corruption in India,’ 1985.

Somiah, C.G, ‘The honest always stand-alone’, 2010.