What is democracy?
“…What is democracy? What is democracy? It got something to do with young men killing each other …”
One, Metallica
Until recently, I believed that there was an absolute definition of this term – Democracy is where the government is chosen from the people, for the people and by the people. But people seem to apply the above suiting their specific needs. People of Uganda feel that they need democracy to form political organizations. Bahrainians believe that they do not have democracy as it would have allowed them to question the ministers (appointed by the king) on their actions. But a common thread runs across all the above – Democracy is a well-defined process which is at a different level of implementation in different countries.
The above thoughts on democracy led me to another question – At what level of democratization process is India at? And I committed a mistake by linking it with Reservation. Consider the following hypothetical scenario. A country is divided into majority and minority on a particular issue. If the process of democracy is working perfectly and assuming politics and policies are governed by voting, the minority would feel that they stand to loose as it violates that it works “for” the people. To curb this situation if we allow some special concession for the minority like reservation, it violates “by” the people for the majority. They feel democracy is not working. Wait a minute. Democracy is now manifesting itself as a feeling. If everyone feels that whatever is done is democratic, we have democracy.
Confused, I turn to seek help. But who can help? Maybe policymakers of US of A. They have led the beacon of democracy. They have believed that democracy works for good and their experience with it can be applied to improve the well being of humankind. And that they would go any limit to get it endorsed. Multi-party system, elections, separate central bank, method of checks and balances. But is it the way it can be achieved? Surely they say, they have experienced it. Yes, now democracy is the experience that has worked.
Maybe Metallica was not as foolish as I thought. Remember Mandal Commission, Invasion (oops democratization) of Iraq etc etc. Democracy surely has something to do with young people killing each other...
One, Metallica
Until recently, I believed that there was an absolute definition of this term – Democracy is where the government is chosen from the people, for the people and by the people. But people seem to apply the above suiting their specific needs. People of Uganda feel that they need democracy to form political organizations. Bahrainians believe that they do not have democracy as it would have allowed them to question the ministers (appointed by the king) on their actions. But a common thread runs across all the above – Democracy is a well-defined process which is at a different level of implementation in different countries.
The above thoughts on democracy led me to another question – At what level of democratization process is India at? And I committed a mistake by linking it with Reservation. Consider the following hypothetical scenario. A country is divided into majority and minority on a particular issue. If the process of democracy is working perfectly and assuming politics and policies are governed by voting, the minority would feel that they stand to loose as it violates that it works “for” the people. To curb this situation if we allow some special concession for the minority like reservation, it violates “by” the people for the majority. They feel democracy is not working. Wait a minute. Democracy is now manifesting itself as a feeling. If everyone feels that whatever is done is democratic, we have democracy.
Confused, I turn to seek help. But who can help? Maybe policymakers of US of A. They have led the beacon of democracy. They have believed that democracy works for good and their experience with it can be applied to improve the well being of humankind. And that they would go any limit to get it endorsed. Multi-party system, elections, separate central bank, method of checks and balances. But is it the way it can be achieved? Surely they say, they have experienced it. Yes, now democracy is the experience that has worked.
Maybe Metallica was not as foolish as I thought. Remember Mandal Commission, Invasion (oops democratization) of Iraq etc etc. Democracy surely has something to do with young people killing each other...
Comments
In case of reservation, its the right of minorities to want reservation, majority to oppose it, and some intermediate state being reached with time, benefiting all.
Democracy assumes that system will filer out the corruption. Problem arises when the system became prone to the changes at will of indivisuals. Now the situation is same as that of communism, the people in power can alter the system that might have filtered their personal quest for power.
The reservation myth is the manifestation of this quest - and indian contitution is again helplessly raped!
Democracy assumes that system will filer out the corruption. Problem arises when the system became prone to the changes at will of indivisuals. Now the situation is same as that of communism, the people in power can alter the system that might have filtered their personal quest for power.
The reservation myth is the manifestation of this quest - and indian contitution is again helplessly raped!
I also have my own blog page but unfortunately it is in Turkish language.
I'd be very glad if you answer me. I don't know how to write private message (if there's something like that in bloggers) I just know how to post comment, sorry :)
Best Regards