The document defines democracy and provides definitions from various prominent figures. It discusses key principles of democracy such as popular sovereignty, political equality, and majority rule. It also outlines several features of Indian democracy like its federal system and collective ministerial responsibility. Both benefits and criticisms of democracy are presented. Benefits include stability, political education of citizens, and reduced chance of revolt due to representation. Criticisms include that it emphasizes quantity over quality, can lead to rule by the incompetent, is based on an unnatural concept of equality, and may ignore minority views.

1. • TRILOCHANA PANDAY ST: DEMOCRACY, LITERALLY, RULE
BY THE PEOPLE. THE TERM IS DERIVED FROM
THE GREEK WORD DĒMOKRATIĀ, WHICH WAS COINED
FROM DĒMOS (“PEOPLE”) AND KRATOS (“RULE”)
• DEMOCRACY IS GOVERNMENT IN WHICH POWER AND
CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY ARE EXERCISED BY ALL ADULT
CITI- ZENS, DIRECTLY, OR THROUGH THEIR FREELY
ELECTED REP- RESENTATIVES. DEMOCRACY RESTS UPON
THE PRINCIPLES OF MAJORITY RULE AND INDIVIDUAL
RIGHTS.

2. DEFINATIONS OF DEMOCRACY :-
 -According to Abraham Lincoln, "Democracy is a government of the people, by the
people, and for the people.“
 Gandhi: “Democracy, based on the idea that I do, should provide the same
opportunities weaker than stronger. Only nonviolence can achieve this goal ”
 Aristotle: “Democracy means government of the poor or those less fortunate”
 – Henry Ford: “The democracy that I favor is one that gives everyone the same
chance of success, depending on the capacity of each. The one that I reject is that
which claims to provide the number the authority which belongs to merit ”
 Churchill: “Democracy is the worst political system, with the exception of all
others”

3.  1. Popular Sovereignty:Democracy is based on sovereignty. People can exercise their
power in democracy. They elect their representatives. The government remains
responsible to the common mass for its every omission and commission.
 2. Political Equality:Democracy is based on political equality. It means all citizens
irrespective of caste, creed, religion, race or sex are considered to be equal before law
and enjoy equal political rights. Political equality gives the right to vote to every
citizen.
 3. Majority Rules:In a democratic set-up actual government is carried out with the
help of the party which obtains the majority of votes. Support of majority is accepted
by all.
 4. Federal:It is another feature of Indian democracy. The Article 1 of Indian
Constitution describes India as a union of states. According to our Constitution, the
states are autonomous. They have full freedom in certain matters, and in some other
matters they are dependent on centre.
 5. Collective Responsibility:In the Indian democracy, the Council of Ministers both in
states and centre are collectively responsible to their respective legislatives. No
minister is alone responsible for any act of the government. The entire council of
ministers are responsible for all the activities.

4.  • Stability and responsibility in administration:Democracy is known for its
stability, firmness and efficiency. Tenure of the elected representatives is fixed and
they form a stable government because it is based on public support. The
administration is conducted with a sense of responsibility. In representative
democracy, people's representatives discuss matters more thoroughly and take
reasonable decision.
 Political education to the people:Another argument given in favour of democracy
is that it serves as a training school for citizens. People get impetus to take part in
the affairs of the state. At the time of elections political parties propose their
policy and programme in support of their candidates. All means of propaganda-
public meetings, posters, radio, television and speeches by important leaders of
the parties- are used to win public favour. It creates political consciousness among
the people.

5. Based on public opinion:Democratic administration is based on public will, public opinion lends
it strength. It is not based on fear of authority. Gettel is of opinion that democracy stands on
consensus, not on power; it admits the existence of state for individual, not individual for the
state. It lends development and progress to individual and arouses his interest in social
activities. Individuals readily take active part in such a government. And this is because of the
eminence, devotion and conviction in man found in the nature of democracy itself.[21/9/2020,
12:30 pm] Trilochana Panday St: Demerits of Democracy
Little chance of revolt:Since democracy is based on public will, there is no chance of public
revolt. Representatives elected by the people conduct the affairs of the state with public
support. If they don't work efficiently or don't come up to the expectations of their masters i.e.,
the public, they are thrown in the dustbin of history when elections are held again. Gilchrist
opines that democracy or popular governments always function with consensus and therefore
question of revolt or revolution does not arise.

6.  • More emphasis on quantity than on quality:It is not based upon the quality but on
quantity. Majority party holds the reigns of government. Inefficient and corrupt
persons get themselves elected. They have neither intelligence, nor vision, nor
strength of character to steer through the ship of the state to its destinations.
 • Rule of the incompetent:Democracies are run by incompetent persons. It is
government by amateurs. In it, every citizen is allowed to take part, whereas
everybody is not fit for it. Locke calls it the act of running administration by the
ignorant. He says that history records the fact that a few are intelligent. Universal
adult franchise grants right to vote to everybody.
 • Based on unnatural equality:The concept of equality is enshrined in democracy. It is
against the law of nature. Nature has not endowed every individual with intelligence
and wisdom. Men's talents differ. Some are courageous, other are cowards. Some
healthy, others not so healthy. Some are intelligent, others are not. Critics are of
opinion that "it is against the law of nature to grant equal status to everybody."

7. Voters do not take interest in election:Voters do not cast their vote in a spirit of duty as
democracy requires them to do. Contestants of election persuade them. Even then, it is
generally found that turn out comes to 50 to 60 percent only. This forefeits the very tall claim
of holding elections.
Lowers the moral standard:The only aim of the candidates becomes to win election. They
often employ under-hand practices, foul means to get elected. Character assassination is
openly practised, unethical ways are generally adopted. Muscle power and money power
work hand-in-hand to ensure success to him. Thus, morality is the first casualty in election.
It is a big loss for 'when character is lost, everything is lost' becomes explicit in due course.
Misuse of public funds and time:Democracy is a huge waste of time and resources. It takes
much time in the formulation of laws. A lot of money is spent during the elections. Ministers
are proving white elephants. They are a heavy burden on public exchequer as they waste
public money on their tours and recreations.
Views of only majority:Democracy is criticised because it establishes dictatorship of majority.
The majority is required to safeguard the interests of minority but in actual practice it does
not. Majority after gaining success at the polls forms its ministry and conducts the affairs of
the state by its own sweet will. It ignores the minority altogether; the minority is oppressed.