The document discusses democracy in Chile. It notes that Pinochet's military dictatorship ended in 1988 after a referendum rejected his rule, restoring political freedom. Since then, Chile has held four presidential elections where different political parties have participated. The role of the army in government has been slowly eliminated.
4. Restoration of democracy
• Pinochet;s military dictatorship came to an end after he decided to hold a
referendum in 1988. Referendum was rejected by people and this led to lose
political and military power. Political freedom was restored. Since Chile held
4 presidential elections in which different political parties have
participated.
Slowly the army role in the country‘s govt. has been eliminated.
• President Michelle Bachelet
addressing her supporters
after her victory in the
presidential election in
January 2006 >>>>>>>>>>>
5.
6.
7.
8. Democracy is the most popular form of
government in present age. Two-third
of the population of the world is under
the influence of this system.
There are different types of democracy
such as Liberal democracy, Socialist
democracy & Pluralistic democracy.
9. The word democracy is combination of two Greek
words = “Demos” + “Kratos”
Demos means “The People”
Kratos means “Power”
Democracy is reaction against the “Divine Rights of
the Kings”
ORIGIN OF WORD DEMOCRACY
10.
According to Lord Bryce, “Democracy is that form of the govt. in
which ruling power of the state is vested not in the particular class
or classes but in the member of the community as a whole.”
According to Hall, “Democracy is a form of political organization
in which public opinion has control.”
According to J.S. Mill, “Democracy is the form of government in
which the whole people or some numerous portion of them
exercise the governing power through deputies periodically
elected by them.”
According to Abraham Lincoin, “Democracy is a form of
government of the people, for the people and by the people.
DEFINITION OF
DEMOCRACY
11. FEATURES OF DEMOCRACY
EXAMPLE
Democracy is the form of government in which rulers are elected by the people.
In Pakistan, General Pervez Musharraf led a
military coup in October 1999. He overthrew a
democratically elected government
and declared himself the ‘Chief Executive’ of the
country. Later he changed his designation to
President and in 2002 held a referendum in the
country that granted him a five year extension.
Pakistani media, human rights organizations and
democracy activists said that the referendum was
based on decisions. The power to take final
decision rests with army officials and
with General Musharraf, and none of them are
elected by the people. This happens in many
Dictatorships and monarchies. They formally have an
elected parliament and government but the real power
Is with those who are not elected.
12. 1. In a democracy the final decision making power is vested with those elected
by people.
2. A democracy must be based on free and fair elections where those currently
in power have a fair of chance losing. Eg China has a one party system.
3. In a democracy, each adult citizen must have one vote and each vote must
have one value. e.g. In Saudi Arabia women do not have the right to vote.
Estonia has made its citizenship rules in such a way that people belonging
to Russian minority find it difficult to get the right to vote.
In Fiji, the electoral system is such that the vote of an indigenous Fiji has
more value than that of an Indian-Fijian.
Democracy is based on a fundamental principle of political equality.
A democratic government rules within limits set by constitutional law and
citizens’ rights.
13. WHY DEMOCRACY
Against Democracy
Leaders keep on changing in democracy. This leads to instability in.
Democracy is all about political competition and power play. There is no scope
for morality
So many people have to be consulted in a democracy that it leads to delays.
Elected leaders do not know the best interest of people. It leads to bad
decisions.
Democracy leads to corruption for it is based on electoral competition.
Ordinary people don’t know what is good for them, they should not decide
anything.
Clearly democracy is not a magical solution for all the problems. Democracy as
form of government only ensures that people take their own decisions. This
doesn’t guarantee that their decision will be good. Involving people in these
decisions does lead to delays in decision making.
14. In favor of Democracy
A democratic government is a better government because it is a more
accountable form of government.
Democracy improves the quality of decision making.
Democracy provides a method to deal with differences and conflict.
Democracy enhances the dignity of citizens.
It is a better form of government because it allows us to correct its own
mistakes.
15.
16.
17. • Sovereignty with the people
• State and government are considered means
• Faith in rationality of Man
• Provision of Fundamental Rights
• Independent and Impartial Judiciary
• Rule of majority
• Respect of Public Opinion
• Faith in peaceful and constitutional methods
• Freedom to form opposition parties
• Open competition for political power
• Periodic Elections
• Independent means of propaganda
• Rule of law
• Decentralization of powers
• Pluralistic character of society
• Responsibility of the Government
21. MERITS OF
DIRECT
DEMOCRACY
Based on
popular
Sovereignty Best
method to
know public
opinion
Close
relation
b/w voters
and
legislature
People get
political
education
Laws are
better
obeyed
Check over
legislature
Best
method to
resolve
deadlock
b/w houses
Proper
protection
of interest
of people
Minimizes
the bad
effect of
political
parties
No fear of
revolution
22. DEMERITS
OF DIRECT
DEMOCRACY
Lowers
prestige of
Legislature
Common man
incompetent
to make laws
Hindrance in
way of
progressive
Legislation
It is an
expensive
system
Causes delay
in passing of
the laws
Referendum
is not sound
way for
public opinion
Defects of
political
parties
Indifferent
attitude of
people
23. 2.INDIRECT DEMOCRACY
• Present age democracy is age of indirect
democracy. This is also called representative
democracy.
• People elect their representatives on the basis of
universal adult franchise and these
representatives run the govt.
• Representatives are responsible to the people of
their power. In India, England, America, indirect
democracy is prevalent
24. COMMUNISTIC OR PEOPLES
DEMOCRACY
O In 20th century, a new form of the democracy came into existence which
is called Communistic or Peoples Democracy
O E.g. China North Korea
O In these countries, the means of production are under the control of
society and profit is used for welfare of society. Personal property is given
no imp in this form of democracy.
O In these countries, economic security and equality are given prominence,
which are considered the base of Socialist Democracy.
O In both communist countries, political liberties are not given much
importance. Communist Party has sole control over political power and
it does not tolerate any opposition.
O People can neither express their views independently nor criticize the
govt. All these factors are against the basic principles of democracy.
25.
26.
This is the oldest form of democracy. This form is prevalent in
England, Canada, America, Japan etc.
Means of production are under private control. Economic liberty civil
liberty and political liberty, rule of law, independent judiciary are
some of the characteristics of liberal democracy.
In capitalist and liberal democracy, though people enjoy political
liberty but they do not enjoy economic security. Apart from this, the
political institutions like Legislatures, Political parties etc. are under
control of rich people and they use the political power for their own
interests. But now liberal democratic countries are giving special
attention to economic welfare and the governments of England,
America and French are its example.
CAPITALIST OR LIBERAL
DEMOCRACY