Voter Awareness Campaign by Mass for Awareness
Democracy is a form of government in which power is held by “the people" under a free electoral system. It is derived from the Greek δημοκρατία (dimokratia), "popular government" which was coined from δήμος (dēmos), "people" and κράτος (kratos), "rule, strength" in the middle of the 5th-4th century BC to denote the political systems then existing in some Greek city-states, notably Athens following a popular uprising in 508 BC.
When we talk about democracy, the popular phrase of Abraham Lincoln comes in mind that “Democracy is of the people, for the people and by the people”. This really is the ideal way of looking at the democratic system but being the biggest democracy in the world we can understand that level of participation and sense of ownership among people are not so high.
India is a democratic country . What is meant by democracy? Is it merely a system of government? According to the opinion of J.W Garner, the great political scientist "Democracy has been variously conceived as a political status, an ethical concept, and a social condition." Democracy is a system of living on the basis of certain social values. What are the peculiar values of democracy?
• Freedom
• Equality
• Fraternity
• Fundamental rights
• Social justice
• Independence of judiciary
Let us examine certain circumstances that put these values into practice
• All get opportunities
• Share responsibilities
• Opinions are expressed freely
• Respect the opinion of others
• Accept the opinion of the majority
• Ensure peoples’ participation
• Every one waits for his/her turn
What is democracy in its total sense?.“Democracy is not just a form of government, but also a way of life”. In a democratic system where people choose their representatives and sent them to legislative assembly / council or to parliament, election is the only medium through which voters can decide future of the political waves as well as