Democracy

 History is replete with examples of golden era under various rulers around the world, who were compassionate, intelligent, provided for their subjects and were not democratic.

With numerous protests happening every day around the world against the democratically chosen dispensation, why do we still continue to believe in democracy?

What does democracy provide to the neglected and downtrodden communities and individuals that they still continue to vote without any distinguishable difference in their lives for so long?

A lot of had been written about the pitfalls of democracy to the term that  it has even been referred as “the worst form of government”.  Then why do we as common citizens yearn to establish it? 

Firstly, the idea of a prosperous life in a kingdom is solely dependent upon the capability and intention of the king. With every successor of throne the fate of populace becomes uncertain. The economic strength of the country is also hostage to the policies adopted by the ruler. An incompetent ruler can lead to social and economic fallout of the state and result in miserable conditions. Even today we have countries whose citizens are dejected because their rulers are not just corrupt but cruel and inhumane. The corrective action  towards these states, even in the present globalised world, is very difficult to implement.

The democracy, on the other hand, by choosing a charter to govern (constitution) or just some laws, removes this uncertainty associated with change of reins. These laws or constitution may be next only to holy scriptures, but these can be altered to suit contemporary and extraordinary circumstances. Thus the probability of blatant disregard of ethics and morality associated with humanity is lesser and never undisguised.

Secondly, and more importantly, USP of democracy is HOPE. It is the hope of a better future which has made us humans survive through most formidable times. Democracy is the belief or may be just a perception, that we are the ones who control our destiny and can make a difference to ourselves. The words, “Of the people, by the people, for the people”, are more than a doctrine. Democracy instils a confidence that all problems will get sorted out and policies can be beneficial across the strata. Even after repeated disappointments the subjects remain hopeful of participating in bringing positive changes in their life.

Thirdly, it is also only truly egalitarian institution, where everyone irrespective of religion, race, caste, profession and money, gets only one vote. Also, anyone who fulfils the basic requirements can compete to get elected. This makes all citizens who can vote and can get elected, uniformly important.

An important ingredient in a democracy is elections. Elections have been termed as festival on one end and a wasteful expenditure at the other. Nevertheless, fundamental to a democratic institution is the election of representatives. As we near an election, the common man gets the feeling of a consumer entering a Sunday market with cash in hand. All shopkeepers are trying to woo him to buy their product. Once in a while one may see a powerful and unapproachable person at the doorstep, standing humbly, with a begging bowl. The power of being important, regardless of how transient it may be, acts like a aphrodisiac. With four or more such events happening every few years, this idea is strengthened further. The gifts, cash and liquor are important motivators too, but that only hardens the belief in power of the recipient. This may be debated stating that it is the sense of duty and the fundamental rights which guide a person to the polling booth. But if this sense was so developed, then we won’t have had to run a massive campaign just to keep our public area clean. There may be an analogy to this behaviour of ours. I vote because I can, similarly, I litter because I can. One may not pride overtly about littering but surely takes pride in able to vote, especially when our neighbouring country which started this journey together, is still trying to experiment with democracy. 

Lastly, the democracy is not only about aspirations, promises and elections. It is also a mirror to the society. We may have a very high opinion of ourselves but it is finally whom we vote for in a secret ballot, defines us accurately. The true picture of an individual as well the group is showcased by the result of an election. The vote which is cast on the basis of religion, race, caste, money and liquor rather than honesty, integrity, qualification and intellect of a candidate signifies our concern to uphold the mantle of democracy . Therefore, before we start finding faults with democracy and expect it to work for us, we have to work on ourselves. The ethics and morals which are a bedrock of a society are for us to uphold and not just expectations from our elected leaders alone.