where is the chapter challenges to democracy?? i want to have notes of it..!!

Possible questions :

• What do you mean by a challenge ? What are the major challenges that democracy faces ??

A challenge is a difficulty that carries within it an opportunity for progress. Once we overcome a challenge we go up to a higher level than before.

FOUNDATION CHALLENGE :

 At least one fourth of the globe is still not under democratic government. The challenge for democracy in these parts of the world is very stark.These countries face the foundational challenge of making the transition to democracy and then instituting democratic government. This involves bringing down the existing non-democratic regime, keeping military away from controlling government and establishing a sovereign and functional state.

CHALLENGE OF EXPANSION :

Most of the established democracies face the challenge of expansion. This involves applying the basic principle of democratic government across all the regions, different social groups and various institutions. Ensuring greater power to local governments, extension of federal principle to all the units of the federation, inclusion of women and minority groups, etc., falls under this challenge. This also means that less and less decisions should remain outside the arena of democratic control.

DEEPENING OF DEMOCRACY:

The third challenge of deepening of democracy is faced by every democracy in one form or another. This involves strengthening of the institutions and practices of democracy.In general terms, it usually means strengthening those institutions that help people’s participation and control. This requires an attempt to bring down the control and influence of the rich and powerful people in making governmental decision.

• Explain the term democratic reform (politicl reform) ?

Generally all the suggestions or proposals about overcoming various challenges to democracy are called ‘democracy reform’ or ‘political reform’.

The real challenge of reforms may not lie at the national level. Some of the crucial questions need to be thought at the State or local level.

1.law has an important role to play in political reform. Carefully devised changes in law can help to discourage wrong political practices and encourage good ones. But legal-constitutional changes by themselves cannot overcome challenges to democracy.

Similarly, democratic reforms are to be carried out mainly by political activists, parties, movements and politically conscious citizens.

2.Any legal change must carefully look at what results it will have on politics. Sometimes the results may be counter-productive.The best laws are those which empower people to carry out democratic reforms. The Right to Information Act is a good example of a law that empowers the people to find out what is happening in government and act as watchdogs of democracy. Such a law helps to control corruption and supplements the existing laws that banned corruption and imposed strict penalties.

3.Democratic reforms are to be brought about principally through political practice. Therefore, the main focus of political reforms should be on ways to strengthen democratic practice.the most important concern should be to increase and improve the quality of political participation by ordinary citizens.

4.Any proposal for political reforms should think not only about what is a good solution but also about who will implement it and how. It is not very wise to think that the legislatures will pass legislations that go against the interest of all the political parties and MPs. But measures that rely on democratic movements, citizens’ organisations and the media are likely to succeed.

• Redefine democracy by adding any 4 qualifications .

1. the rulers elected by the people must take all the major decisions;

2. elections must offer a choice and fair opportunity to the people to change the current rulers;

3. this choice and opportunity should be available to all the people on an equal basis; and

4. the exercise of this choice must lead to a  government limited by basic rules of the constitution and citizens’ rights.

• Discuss the expanded scope of democracy in the modern world ?

1.Democratic rights are not limited to the right vote stand in elections and form political organisations.some social and economic rights that a democracy should offer to its citizens.

2.power sharing as the spirit of democracy ,power sharing between governments and social groups is necessary in a democracy.

3.democracy cannot be the brute rule of majority but a respect for minority voice is necessary for democracy.

4. democracy has gone beyond the government and its activities. eliminating discrimination based on caste, religion and gender is important in a democracy.