Chapter-8 Challanges to Democracy

1. Each of these cartoons represents a challenge to democracy. Please describe what that challenge is. Also place it in one of the three categories mentioned in the first section.

A)

 

B)

(C) 

(D)

Explanation:

(A) This exemplifies the impact of wealthy and powerful individuals on the democratic electoral process.

Challenge – Deepening of democracy.

(B)This illustrates the existence of authoritarian governments around the globe. It aims to demonstrate that democracy cannot be achieved through the use of force.

Challenge : Foundational challenge.

(C) This illustrates how, despite our discourse about gender equality, male dominance still prevails in democracies.

Challenge – Challenge of expansion.

(D)This exemplifies how wealthy and influential individuals utilise money to sway democratic decision-making.

2.In the following cases and context (as given in the Textbook page 104) give description of the challenges for democracy in that situation.

Explanation:

 

Case and Context

 

Features Your description of the challenges for democracy in that situation

Mexico: Second free election after the defeat of PRI in 2000; defeated candidates allege rigging.

Challenge of Deepening of democracy -To hold free, transparent, and error-free elections.

China: While implementing economic reforms, the Communist party nevertheless holds a monopoly on political authority.

Challenge of Deepening of democracy -To conduct free and fair multiparty elections

Pakistan: Referendum held by General Musharraf amid claims of voter list fraud.

Foundational challenge -To eradicate election and referendum fraud techniques.

Iraq: widespread sectarian bloodshed as the new administration struggles to assert its power.

Challenge of Deepening of democracy -To stop the killings motivated by sect.

South Africa: After stepping down from active politics, Mandela put pressure on Mbeki, his successor, to reverse some concessions made to the white minority.

Challenge of Deepening of democracy -To avoid the majority community dominating the minority group.

US, Guantanamo Bay: This is a violation of international law, according to the UN Secretary General: The US declined to comment.

Foundational challenge -To avoid influential, wealthy, and strong nations like the USA dominating global organisations like the UN.

Saudi Arabia: No women were allowed to participate in public events, and the minority was not allowed to practise their faith freely.

Challenge of Expansion of democracy -The freedom to practise one's own religion and the idea of universal adult franchise.

Yugoslavia: In Kosovo, there is increasing interethnic conflict between Serbs and Albanians; Yugoslavia has broken up.

Challenge of Expansion of democracy -Decrease social divides and differences, and develop the shared power idea.

Belgium: The Dutch-speaking people are not happy with the first round of constitutional changes; they want more autonomy.

Challenge of Deepening of democracy -To grant the Dutch and French speaking communities equal political rights.

Sri Lanka: Government and LTTE peace negotiations fail, leading to further outbreaks of violence.

Challenge of Expansion of democracy -Should accept federal principles and stop the violent, state-supported brutality against the minority sectarian group.

US, Civil Rights: Despite having equal rights, black people continue to be disadvantaged, undereducated, and unemployed.

Challenge of Deepening of democracy -To create economic equality and give everyone, particularly people of colour, access to equal opportunities in health and education.

Northern Ireland: Catholics and Protestants still need to build confidence after the civil war.

Challenge of Expansion of democracy -To grant both communities equal political, religious, and economic independence.

Nepal: Unrest in Terai regions; the Constituent Assembly is set to be elected; and the Maoists have not given up their weapons.

Foundational Challenge -To develop and bolster democracy, as well as to stop acts of violence that would endanger its forces.

Bolivia: MNCs threaten to flee the country when Morales, a backer of the water battle, is elected prime minister.

Challenge of Deepening of democracy -To establish democratic values that are advantageous to every segment of society.


3. Now that you have noted down all these challenges, let us group these together into some broad categories. Given below are some spheres or sites of democratic politics. You may place against each of these the specific challenges that you noted for one or more countries or cartoons in the previous section. In addition to that write one item for India for each of these spheres. In case you find that some challenges do not fit into any of the categories given below, you can create new categories and put some items under that.

Explanation:

 

 

Constitutional design

Of the constitution and granting individuals freedom and rights. for instance, Saudi Arabia, China, Belgium, Iraq, and Burma.

 

 

 

Democratic rights

To grant individuals their fundamental freedoms and rights. for instance, China, Poland, Guantanamo Bay, Saudi Arabia, etc. Lower castes are discriminated against in India.

 

 

 

Working of institutions

Establishing an efficient judicial system and administration. for instance, Mexico, Myanmar, and Chile. the prevention of deaths in custody in India.

 

 

Elections

To conduct fair and free elections. Poland, Pakistan, Mexico, Chile, etc. putting safeguards in place to prevent election manipulation in India.

 

 

Federalism, decentralization

To develop local democratic institutions like the government and courts. such as Ghana, Belgium, and Yugoslavia. increasing the local administrations' authority and resources in India.

 

 

Accommodation of diversity

To address societal problems based on race, linguistics, etc., such as those in Ireland, Yugoslavia, Belgium, and Sri Lanka. Conflicts resulting from caste and communal disparities in India constitute a threat to democracy.

 

 

Political Organisation

To democratically transform organisations within nations, such as Ghana, Ireland, Saudi Arabia, and Myanmar. Political party corruption in India is a problem.

 

 

Any other category - Religious equality

To make religions equally welcome in nations. e.g. Saudi Arabia, Mayanmar, Iran. People from lower castes face religious, social, and economic discrimination in India.

 

 

4. Let us group these again, this time by the nature of these challenges as per the classification suggested in the first section. For each of these categories, find at least one example from India as well.

Explanation:


Foundational Challenge

Iraq, Pakistan, Poland, Myanmar, Nepal, Chile, China, and Saudi Arabia.

The insurgency and Naxal crisis in the North-Eastern states of India is an example.


Challenge of Expansion

Yugoslavia, Ghana, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Mexico, and Iraq.

Give local governments like municipal corporations and village panchayats more authority, as in India.


Challenge of deepening

Guantanamo Bay, the US, Bolivia, Pakistan, South Africa, and Belgium.

To expand the number of women in state and federal legislatures, like in India.


5.Now let us think only about India. Think of all the challenges that democracy faces in contemporary India. List those five that should be addressed first of all. The listing should be in order of priority, i.e, the challenge you find most important or pressing should be mentioned at number 1, and so on. Give one example of that challenge and your reasons for assigning it the priority.

Explanation:

Priority

Challenges to democracy

Example

Reasons for preference

1.

 

Challenge of Deepening

 

Corruption among public servants

Democracy's ability to work is weakened as a result of people's declining faith in it.

2.

 

Challenge of Expansion

 

Women's representation in politics

Women should participate fairly in activities because they make up half of the population.

3.

 

Foundational Challenge

 

Justice from courts is delayed

Democracy's foundations deteriorate as a result of people losing faith in it.

4.

 

Foundational Challenge

 

Rising poverty and inflation

This issue has a significant impact on a big segment of the population.

5.

 

Challenge of Expansion

 

Women's low literacy rates

When a substantial portion of our people is undereducated and underutilised, the growth of the nation is hampered.

 

6. Here are some challenges that require political reforms. Discuss these challenges in detail. Study the reform options offered here and give your preferred solution with reasons. Remember that none of the options offered here is ‘right’ or ‘wrong’. You can opt for a mix of more than one options, or come up with something that is not offered here. But you must give your solution in detail and offer reasons for your choice.


Explanation:

(A) Doctor’s absenteeism:

By including a few guidelines in their terms and conditions, doctors' absences can be reduced. The doctors should be required to reside in the village where they are posted. They should not be allowed to practise medicine privately. They ought to receive some financial rewards. These requirements must be scrupulously fulfilled, and the department should conduct surprise audits. The department should discipline the negligent doctors.

(B) Political funding :

The first of the two recommendations, i.e., auditing of political party accounts and state funding, is excellent since these reforms will provide openness to the political parties' finances. The flow of money into elections distorts the entire essence of democracy. Election expenses will be reduced thanks to state support. Less money will play a role in elections, and less wealthy candidates will have a chance to run.

 

7.Any other problem of your choice.

Explanation:

Criminalisation of Politics Challenge:

The number of criminals involved in politics is rising daily. As of 2019, 43% of MPs have a criminal history. Individuals with criminal histories can be nominated to run in both the national and state elections. Concern is raised over how the elections turned out. Such candidates frequently win elections by buying votes or giving out bribes to elect them.

Reform proposals:

  • ·       Election contestants should not be allowed if they are facing significant criminal accusations.
  • ·       Fast courts should be established, as recommended by the Supreme Court, for the trial of convicted MPs and MLAs.
  • ·  Any distribution of money or other goods intended to sway voters should be outlawed.

 

8. Here is your space for writing your own definition of good democracy.

Explanation:

Definition of good democracy :

A healthy democracy is one in which the people's representatives make important choices within the parameters of the Constitution to carry out their wishes, but they are subject to recall if they fall short of those expectations.

Features:

  • ·       People should have the opportunity to call the representatives back before the scheduled time if they do not perform.
  • ·       Those who have been found guilty of breaching the law ought to be prohibited from running in elections.
  • ·       To reduce economic inequality between citizens, socioeconomic issues should be handled similarly.
  • ·       In a democracy, there should be adequate representation for the underprivileged and minority groups.
  • ·       The elected officials ought to uphold certain moral standards.

 

9. Is it democratic for someone to dictate to us what a good democracy is?

Explanation:

No, it is not democratic for someone to tell us what constitutes an effective democracy. Because democracy is a way of life, people choose their political leaders by using their right to vote. Any useful definition of democracy should be made public by qualified individuals, such as educators, government officials, and attorneys. In a democracy, everyone must have access to equal rights and opportunities. The public's conscience will choose whether or not to embrace that notion of democracy.