Challenges to Democracy

What is Democracy?

• Democracy is defined as the government of the people, by the people and for the people
• In a democracy, the people form the government and the government is run by the elected representatives
• It is the most popular form of government that is followed by a number of countries worldwide
• There are majorly two types of democracy; Direct democracy and Representative democracy
• A representative democracy is a form of government in which citizens elect representatives to vote on laws on their behalf
•  A direct democracy is one in which citizens vote on every issue themselves
•  The key distinction between the two systems is who votes on laws: elected officials or citizens

Challenges faced by different countries

Even though it is the most popular form of government, Democracy faces a number of challenges differing from country to country. Some challenges faced by Democracy are as follows:

Foundational challenge

• At least ¼ the of the globe is as yet not under Democratic government. These nations are confronting troubles in the face of establishing a Democratic Government
• Foundational challenge is the challenge faced by countries that have not had any democratic form of government till date
• These countries have to face the challenge of transitioning the current government to democracy and then to set up  democratic government 
• This involves bringing down the existing non-democratic government, restricting the interference of the military  in controlling the Government and establishing a Sovereign and Functional state

Challenge of Expansion

• It is faced by most established democracies and involves applying the basic principle of Democratic Government across all the regions, different social groups and various institutions
• These principles include ensuring higher power to Local Governments, extension of Federal principle to all the units of the Federation, involvement of Women and Minority groups, etc
• This additionally implies that fewer and fewer choices ought to stay outside the extent of Democratic control. Most nations including India and US & they are dealing with a similar issue and facing the same challenges

Deepening of Democracy

• It is faced by every Democracy in some way and involves strengthening of the Institutions and practices of Democracy. This should happen in such a way that people can acquire their expectations of democracy
• It generally means empowering those institutions that help people’s participation and control
• This requires an attempt to pull down the control and influence of the rich and powerful people in influencing Governmental decisions and policies
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Political Reforms

• For the most part, every one of the ideas or recommendations about defeating different hindrances to a majority rule system are called ‘Popular government change’ or ‘Political reforms ‘
• Political reform entails making laws and constitutions more in line with public expectations. ‘Public expectations’ include the expectations of all segments of society
• Political reform entails developing an electoral system that allows gentility to be empowered within the state apparatus
• The need for political reforms is necessary in order to strengthen democracy and remove undue influence over elections and their outcomes
• Political reforms help in the fair conduction of elections and lead to proper governance

Guidelines to devise ways and means for Political Reforms in India

Overcoming resistance in bringing Legal changes

• Law has an important role to play in political reform and painstakingly, contrived changes in law can assist with debilitating incorrect political practices and support good ones. In any case, legitimate or sacred changes without anyone else can’t overcome obstacles to Democracy
• Democratic reforms are to be carried out mainly by political campaigners, parties, movements, and politically conscious citizens
• Carefully analysing results from any legal change
• Results of legal change may be counterproductive. For example, many states have banned people who have more than two children from contesting Panchayat elections which has resulted in denial of Democratic opportunity to many poor and women
• Laws that give political persons some incentives to do good work have more chances of working
• The best laws are those which strengthen the people to carry out democratic reforms. For example, the Right to Information Act empowers the people to find out what is happening in Government and act as a watchdog of democracy
• Increase Political Participation
• The primary focal point of Political changes ought to be on ways of reinforcing Democratic practice
• The most important concern should be to enhance and improve the quality of political participation by ordinary citizens
• Promotion of Democratic movements, Citizens’ organizations, and Media: It is not very wise to think that the legislatures will pass legislation that goes against the interest of all the Political parties and Members of Parliament. But measures that rely on Democratic movements, Citizens’ organizations, and Media are likely to succeed