All suggestions or proposals about overcoming various challenges to democracy are called democratic reform or political reform. Broad guidelines for devising political reforms in India are: Legal Ways of reforming politics. The Right to Information Act. Reforms through political practice, Implementation reforms.
Any legal change must carefully look at the results it will have on politics. Sometimes, the results can be counterproductive. For example, many states have banned people who have more than two children from contesting panchayat elections. This has resulted in the denial of democratic opportunity to many poor men and women, which was not…
There is absence of democracy in Myanmar as the legitimately elected leader Suu Kyi has been under house arrest for more than 15 years. She has been released recently. The army is in power in Myanmar and a democratically elected government is not allowed to function. The country faces the challenge of making a transition…
The guidelines to be kept in mind while adopting political reforms also include: Involving political parties, political activists and people in bringing about reforms rather than imposing reforms through laws. Legal measures should be positive, more like incentives. Improving the quality of political practices by increasing people’s participation. Laws being considered may meet with resistance…
It is true that different countries face different kinds of challenges: Non-democratic countries face foundational challenges. This involves bringing down the existing non-democratic regime, keeping military away from controlling government and establishing a sovereign and functional state. Example: In Myanmar, military rule should be challenged. Suu Kyi should be freed and should be elected as…
A ‘challenge’ is a difficulty which carries within it an opportunity for progress. Three major challenge are: Foundational Challenge is about making the transition to democracy and then instituting a democratic government. This involves bringing down the existing non-democratic regime, keeping military away from controlling the government and establishing a sovereign and functional state. Example:…
Transparency is the most important feature of democracy it ensures that decision-making will be based on certain norms and procedures. So, a citizen who wants to know if a decision was taken through correct procedures can find this out. The citizen has the right and the means to examine the process of decision-making. This is…
A public expression of dissatisfaction with democracy shows the success of democratic project as: It shows that people have developed awareness and the ability to expect. People look critically at power holders. They want to make democracy better. They come up with expressions and complaints. They value their democratic rights.
The role of citizens in a democracy are as follows: Citizens exercise their rights and freedoms and get benefited from democratic set-up. They must be aware of their rights and duties. They should be aware of the issues and problems the country is facing. They must cooperate in maintaining law and order. People must consider…