DEMOCRACY IN INDIA

In late 18th century Benjamin Franklin characterized Democracy as ‘Rising Sun’. Two hundred years later it remains very much in the ascendant. People all over the world are pinning their hopes and aspirations on a life based on freedom and dignity. In recent times the idea of Democracy has had a very powerful influence in Asia, Africa, Latin America, Central and Eastern Europe. Many countries are currently addressing to the difficult challenges inherent in freedom. Democracy is a much talked about subject today. A number of debates and discourses are emerging. We find both optimists and pessimists of Democracy. The conceptions of Abraham Lincoln, Rousseau, and Plato are characterized by fantasy and romanticism. As an ‘Ideal’ Democracy is wonderful. As a practice, it remains imperfect still, individuals and societies strive for it.

Out of nearly two hundred countries of the world nearly one hundred and thirty are democratic countries. Robert Dhal opines that the non-democratic countries are trying to make a transition to Democracy. The newly Democratic countries are aiming at strengthening Democratic practices and institutions. The older democracies are facing the challenge of perfecting and deepening their Democracy. 

It was in Classical Greece and Rome around 500 BC that systems of Government providing for popular participation by a number of citizens were first established. These became the foundations and endured for centuries.

 

It was the Greeks probably the Athenians who coined, the term ‘Democracy’ or ‘Dernokratia’ from Greek word ‘Demos’ the people and ‘Kratos’ to rule. At the same time the Romans choose to call their system a ‘Republic’ from ‘Res’ meaning ‘thing’ or ‘affair’ in Latin and ‘publicus’ meaning something which belonged to the people.

            Let us take a look at state to Democracy. Hegel said, “State is a march of God on earth”. Thomas Hobbes in his ‘Leviathan’ talks about ‘Bad Kings Anarchy’. In Mahabharatha King was made absolute. The result was dictatorship, life, freedom and property being endangered by the king. Then came Democracy, popular will, people will, sovereignty. In England, ‘King vs State’ debate is still continuing. Sartori an Italian Writer in his book ‘Democratic Theory’ calls Democracy as ‘Government by check and balance, Government by consensus, mutual discussion and consultation’. Sartori defines Democracy as “All Power To None”. Communists hated market. But now they want the State. Idea of Democracy is fast spreading its importance.

            Plato said, “All existing Governments are rotten”. So good Government is possible when “A philosopher becomes a King” as he believed that knowledge of philosophy and virtue is important. But the problem was to find a philosopher. So Plato found a “Prince”. But he was not a philosopher. So he gave importance to Democratic State. In the case of the Roman Empire State became the bloody business of the sword. As a result the Roman Empire fell. Then came St. Augustine who spoke of ‘Die Sevista’ the city of God. Adam Smith spoke of the wealth of nations and Laissez Affaire State.