Free and Fair Electoral Competition

China to elect members for the country’s parliament called Quanguo Renmin Daibiao Dahui
(National People’s Congress) election is held every 5 years.

What is Democracy
Candidate needs to be a member of the Chinese Communist Party or 8 of its allies to contest elections in 2002-03.

The communist party used to form the government.

Why Democracy Since its independence in 1930 Mexico holds elections after every six years to elect its President the country has never
been under a military or dictator’s rule But until 2000 every election was won by a party called PRI
(Institutional Revolutionary Party).

Examples of Democracy – India and the United States etc.

1. WHAT IS DEMOCRACY One person, one vote, one value

• Political equality the basis of democracy.

Definition of Democracy A form of government where rulers are elected by the choice of people
• Few instances where equal rights are denied have been observed

Examples of non-democratic
Until 2015, in Saudi Arabia women In Estonia, citizen rules made it very much difficult for people from Russian minorities to
governments did not have the right to vote. gain the right to vote.
Myanmar
the army controller
Saudi Arabia
becomes the ruler Fiji’s electoral system gave more value to indigenous Fiji than Indian-Fijian.
the representatives
people have no role
are from royal families
to play in electing their
representative. • These are some examples which contradict the basis of democracy where an adult citizen must have one vote with equal value.

Rule of Law and Respect for Rights

2. FEATURES OF DEMOCRACY
In 1980, Zimbabwe President Mugabe Only the verdicts of Harassment was
gained independence. used malpractices in the ruling party were done to the
The leader Robert elections so that presented by TV and independent journalist
Mugabe of the ZANU-PF ZANU-PF always won. Radios since a law who talked against
party, which led for the existed that restricted the government.
Few questions for democracy freedom struggle, ruled the right to criticize the
the country. President.

Who are going What kind of Who are the What is the form Is it necessary for
to be elected as election people who can of a democratic a democracy to
rulers and what constitutes a elect the rulers or government? What respect some
kind of decisions democratic get elected as are the limitations rights of the Hence, in a democratic government
need to be taken election? rulers? Should this and freedoms of a citizens?
by non-elected include every decision making
officials? citizen on an equal by the
basis? Can a representative
democracy deny who is elected? Major decisions were Equal opportunity to all Government’s power is
Fair choice of people in
some citizens this taken by the rulers the citizens in choosing limited by the basic rules
changing rulers.
right? elected by the people. their representative of the constitution.

Major Decision by the Elected Leaders

In October 1999 Pakistani General Pervez Musharraf led the military and overthrew a democratic government
the ‘Chief Executive’.
declared he
3. WHY DEMOCRACY?
In 2002 changed his designation to President
Arguments against Democracy
In August 2002 passed the ‘Legal Framework Order’ stated that the President can dismiss the national and provincial
assemblies. A B C D E

After elections, elected candidates vested some powers, the final power rested with military officers and General Musharraf. Political competition Delay in decision Lack of knowledge Democracy is based People electing their
It shows that it is not a democratic country. and power-play can making because in the public interest on electoral representative may be
take the dominance of multiple can result in wrong competition, it brings unaware of their
over morality. consultations decision making. corruption wellbeing
 Arguments in Favour of Democracy

A democratic government is always a better government since it is an accountable form of government.

Improves decision making quality

Gives a method to deal with differences and conflicts.

Enhances citizens' dignity

Better compared to other forms of government since it allows us to correct its own mistakes.

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4. Broader Meaning of Democracy

Under representative democracy Understanding democracy can

everyone does not rule The help people to identify the
elected representative takes a weakness of existing democracy
decision on behalf of their people: and can differentiate between
minimal and good democracy.
Modern democracies are
characterized by huge
populations makes it impossible
for them to make the right decision

The citizen does not have the

time, the desire or the skills to
take part in all the decisions