Democracy as a Way of Life
If a class monitor is chosen only by voting and then nobody’s opinion is heard, the class does not run democratically. Democracy is needed in daily behaviour too.
Democracy is a continuous living process. Mere adoption of democracy does not bring it into practice; alert and conscious efforts are needed to sustain it.
Key idea 1 : Challenges at the global level — Today every country in the world claims to be democratic, but very few countries have a true democracy that protects people’s rights and freedom and gives priority to welfare of people. Many democracies face the challenge of military takeover. Spread of democratic values at the global level and adoption of true democracy by all countries is a major challenge at the global level. Think which democratic institutions should be established while moving from a non-democratic system to democracy.
Key idea 2 : Making democracy deep-rooted — Democratic values appear weak even in countries where democracy seems deep-rooted. In countries like India democracy appears in the form of voting, elections, governmental structure and judiciary, but this is only the political form of democracy. To become a way of life democracy must be practised in every aspect of social life. For this, measures such as inclusion of all social components, autonomy to social institutions, empowerment of citizens and protection of human values must be adopted. Values of freedom, equality, fraternity, justice, peace, development and humanitarianism must be practised at all levels of society and mass support for this can be gathered only by democratic means.
Key idea 3 : Is power really in citizens’ hands? — To make democracy more meaningful the Government of India decentralised power and adopted the policy of reservation for women and weaker sections. But we should think whether such measures really put power in the hands of citizens. In democracy political parties contest elections; but whether they hold internal elections in their own organisation is also a question to ask. It is necessary that parties hold elections at the organisational level.
- Easy : Democracy of only elections and voting — which form? — Political form.
- Medium : Democracy as a way of life means? — Democratic practice in every aspect of social life.
- Exam-type : One global challenge? — Military takeover.
In the figure: Democracy is not only a political form but a way of life.
In 2023 Parliament passed the Constitution (106th Amendment) Act, the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, which provides 33% of seats in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies for women, but it will apply after delimitation. (Lok Sabha 20 September 2023, 454 to 2; Rajya Sabha 21 September 2023, 214 to 0) (as per several sources; the book does not mention it; check with the book).
Political-Life-Include-Empower.
Adopting democracy does not mean it takes root automatically; continuous effort is needed.
Memory clue: Democracy = process + values + participation. Memory clue: "Not just adopting, living".
Spot the difference
| Point | Political democracy | Democracy as way of life |
|---|---|---|
| Form | Voting, elections, government | Practice in all social life |
| Values | Legal framework | Equality, fraternity, justice |
| Expectation | Regular elections | Participation and empowerment of all |
Practice questions
- 1Explain that democracy is a living process.
- 2What challenges does democracy face at the global level?
- 3How does democracy become a way of life?
- 4Which values should be practised to make democracy deep-rooted?
- 5Write your opinion on whether decentralisation and reservation really gave power.
- 6Why should political parties hold internal elections?
- 7Which institutions are needed while moving from non-democracy to democracy?
- 8Write three ways of democratic practice in your class.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1It must be sustained by constant alert efforts; mere adoption is not enough.
- 2Military takeover and lack of true democracy.
- 3By practising it in every aspect of social life.
- 4Freedom, equality, fraternity, justice, peace, development, humanitarianism.
- 5Student gives own opinion with reasons.
- 6Democracy should exist inside parties and workers should get a chance.
- 7Independent elections, justice and other democratic institutions.
- 8Listening to all, equal chance, following rules and so on.
Communalism, Terrorism and Naxalism
If two groups keep fighting in a class, both study and games suffer. When hatred and violence increase in society, people cannot participate in democracy without fear.
Religious conflict, terrorism and violent left extremism (Naxalism) are considered major challenges to security and social stability before democracy.
Key idea 1 : Communalism and terrorism — As per the textbook religious conflict and the terrorism arising from it is a major challenge before Indian democracy. Social stability is disturbed due to increasing religious hostility. Terrorism greatly reduces people’s participation in the democratic process. Therefore respect for all religions, languages and groups, dialogue and equal enforcement of law are the democratic answer.
Key idea 2 : Left extremism: Naxalism — As per the textbook Naxalism is a major problem in India. It began as a movement to remove injustice against landless farmers and tribal people. But today it has become a violent struggle; the importance of the problems of farmers and tribal people has reduced and violent measures to oppose government policies, attacks on police forces are used. In democracy the ways to solve problems are dialogue, legal means and development, not violence.
Key idea 3 : Effect on democratic process — Because of these challenges people may stay away from voting and other democratic actions out of fear. Without social harmony and peace, development work also stops. It is necessary to identify threats to democracy in time and handle them in a democratic manner. Removing the causes at the root, that is reducing injustice and inequality, is also a step.
- Easy : If religious hostility increases, what is disturbed? — Social stability.
- Medium : How did Naxalism begin? — From a movement against injustice to landless farmers and tribals.
- Exam-type : Effect of terrorism on participation? — Participation reduces.
In the figure: Effect of violence and hostility on democratic participation.
What happened before the 26/11 attacks? On the evening of 26 November 2008 a group of armed attackers reached Mumbai by sea in a hijacked Indian fishing boat and landed near Colaba.
What happened after the 26/11 attacks? The attacks lasted about three days. In December 2008 Parliament passed the NIA Act to create the National Investigation Agency, a central anti-terror investigation agency. The only attacker caught alive, Ajmal Kasab, was tried and hanged in November 2012.
Hostility-Fear-Participation-Answer.
Not all agitations are violent; democracy gives the right to peaceful and legal protest.
Memory clue: Less violence = more participation. Memory clue: "Fear gone, participation came".
Spot the difference
| Challenge | Nature | Effect on democracy |
|---|---|---|
| Communalism | Religious hostility | Social stability disturbed |
| Terrorism | Violence and fear | Participation falls |
| Naxalism | Violent left extremism | Original issues recede |
Practice questions
- 1Why are communalism and terrorism challenges?
- 2What is Naxalism? How did it begin?
- 3What form does the book say Naxalism has taken today?
- 4What effect does terrorism have on public participation?
- 5State democratic ways to reduce religious hostility.
- 6What are the ways to solve problems instead of violence?
- 7Why is social harmony necessary for democracy?
- 8Write information on one example of peaceful protest.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Social stability is disturbed and participation reduces.
- 2A movement against injustice to landless farmers and tribals; today violent struggle.
- 3Violent struggle; original issues lose importance.
- 4People’s participation reduces greatly.
- 5Dialogue, respect for all groups, equal enforcement of law.
- 6Dialogue, legal means, development.
- 7Without peace development and participation stop.
- 8Student finds own example.
Corruption, Criminalisation and Social Challenges
If someone gets first rank by copying in an exam, others’ trust in the education system reduces. Likewise corruption reduces trust in democracy.
Corruption is misuse of public power for illegal gain. Increasing participation of people with criminal background in politics is criminalisation of politics.
Key idea 1 : Corruption — As per the textbook the extent of corruption in the public sector in India is said to be very high. Corruption at political and administrative levels reduces the government’s working capacity. Delay in government work, poor public services and financial irregularities create distrust and dissatisfaction among people about the entire governmental system. Corruption in elections, bogus voting, bribing voters and abducting voters reduces confidence in the democratic process.
Key idea 2 : Criminalisation and family monopoly — Increased participation of criminals in the electoral process is a serious problem before the democratic system. Sometimes parties give candidature to people with criminal background and allegations of crime and corruption. This increases the role of money and muscle power in politics and may also lead to violence in elections. The textbook also mentions family monopoly in politics; it says monopoly of one family reduces democratic space and common people find it hard to participate; students should think about this on their own.
Key idea 3 : Social challenges — Apart from the above challenges Indian democracy faces social challenges too. Unemployment, unequal distribution of resources, increasing gap between rich and poor and caste-based issues need to be resolved. Democracy is not meaningful until all citizens get a chance to live with dignity.
- Easy : Bribing voters — example of what? — Corruption in elections.
- Medium : Candidature to those facing criminal allegations — which problem? — Criminalisation of politics.
- Exam-type : Widening rich-poor gap — which challenge? — Social challenge.
In the figure: Some internal challenges before democracy.
What happened before Anna Hazare’s fast for the Lokpal (April 2011)? In 2010–11 big scandals such as the Commonwealth Games and 2G spectrum cases were in the news, and many people were angry about corruption.
What happened after Anna Hazare’s fast for the Lokpal (April 2011)? Anna Hazare of Ralegan Siddhi fasted at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, and crowds joined across India. Parliament passed the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act in December 2013, and the first Lokpal was appointed in March 2019.
Co-Cr-Fa-So.
Not all candidates or officials are corrupt; but corruption reduces trust.
Memory clue: Corruption → distrust → less participation. Memory clue: "Money-muscle-family-inequality".
Spot the difference
| Challenge | Nature | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Corruption | Misuse of power, bribery | Distrust, lower efficiency |
| Criminalisation | Candidature to those with criminal background | More money and muscle power |
| Social | Unemployment, inequality, caste issues | Equal opportunity not available |
Practice questions
- 1Write the effects of corruption on democracy.
- 2Give examples of corruption in elections.
- 3What is criminalisation of politics?
- 4What dangers arise from criminalisation?
- 5What points does the textbook make about family monopoly?
- 6What are the social challenges before democracy?
- 7What can citizens do to reduce corruption?
- 8Discuss one of these challenges in class and write conclusions.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Efficiency falls, distrust and dissatisfaction increase.
- 2Bogus voting, bribery, abduction of voters.
- 3Increased participation of people with criminal background in politics.
- 4Use of money and muscle power, violence in elections.
- 5The book says one family’s monopoly reduces democratic space.
- 6Unemployment, unequal distribution, rich-poor gap, caste issues.
- 7Aware voting, using right to information, complaining.
- 8Students write conclusions from discussion.
Steps to Make Democracy Successful
For a class to run well, the teacher’s efforts are not enough; it works only when every student follows rules and cooperates. It is the same with democracy.
Making democracy successful means government, administration, judiciary and every citizen together making efforts so that all get participation, equal opportunity and justice.
Key idea 1 : Majority and interests of minorities — In democracy majority has importance; the party getting majority comes to power and Parliament decides by majority. But if too much importance is given to majority, injustice may be done to the marginalised and minorities. Though democracy is a government of the majority, minorities should also be included in decision-making and it is the duty of the government to consider their interests. In short, in a democratic government everyone’s opinion should be considered important; also a government of the majority is not a government of the majority community. All religious, linguistic, ethnic and caste groups should get equal opportunity to participate in decision-making.
Key idea 2 : Efforts of judiciary, government and society — The Indian judiciary is seen to be making conscious efforts to make the political process transparent; to prevent criminalisation of politics it has adopted measures like strict punishment to criminals and prohibiting them from taking part in the political process. But to make democracy successful efforts of government, administration and judiciary alone are not enough; everyone at the social and individual level should make conscious efforts. Projects like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Gram Samruddhi Yojana, self-help groups and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme are undertaken at the level of government and administration. To increase women’s political participation 50% seats are reserved in local self-governing institutions.
Key idea 3 : Public participation and values — To make Indian democracy truly successful it is essential to increase participation of people at all levels; if participation increases especially at the level of government it helps in changing public policies. Public policies are made through interaction with people and interaction with those not in power is also important for the success of democracy. The values of equality, liberty, social justice and secularism should be respected and implemented in our personal life too. For the success of democracy everyone should keep in mind that we are responsible citizens of this country.
- Easy : Majority government and minorities — duty of government? — Consider their interests.
- Medium : Seats reserved for women in local bodies — how much per the book? — 50%.
- Exam-type : Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan is an example of? — Government project.
In the figure: Four steps to make democracy successful.
Majority-Justice-Efforts-Participation.
Majority government does not mean government of the majority community; all groups need equal opportunity.
Memory clue: Successful democracy = everyone’s participation + justice + practising values. Memory clue: "Majority rules, minority protected".
Spot the difference
| Whose efforts | What | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Judiciary | Making political process transparent | Strict punishment, prohibition |
| Government-administration | Welfare projects | Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan |
| Citizens | Participation and practising values | Equality, justice, secularism |
Practice questions
- 1Why does majority matter in democracy and what is the risk?
- 2How should the government protect minority interests?
- 3What measures did the judiciary take to prevent criminalisation?
- 4Write names of four projects undertaken by government.
- 5What has been done to increase women’s political participation?
- 6What effect does increased public participation have on policies?
- 7Which democratic values should be followed in personal life?
- 8What five efforts will you make to make Indian democracy successful?
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Government forms by majority; risk of injustice to the marginalised and minorities.
- 2By including them in decision-making and considering their interests.
- 3Strict punishment and prohibiting criminals from political process.
- 4Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Gram Samruddhi Yojana, MGNREGA.
- 550% seats reserved in local bodies; (see the 2023 law in the earlier note).
- 6Public policies can be changed.
- 7Equality, liberty, social justice, secularism.
- 8Student writes own five efforts.