PRESENTED BYS. K. GUPTAT.G.T. (S.St. )K.V. No. 2,OFDR, PUNE

OBJECTIVES1. Introduction to the difficult question of evaluating

the functioning of democracy,2. Develop the skills of evaluating Indian democracy

on some key dimensions; development, security and dignity for the people.

3. Understand the causes for the continuation of democracy in India.

Why we prefer democracy We felt that

democracy is better because it

Promotes equality among citizens;

Enhances the dignity of the individual;

Improves the quality of decision making;

Provides a method to resolve conflicts; and

Allow room to correct mistakes.

EVALUTION OF THE WORKING OF PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY IN INDIA

1. Dominance of One Political Party (Congress) for a long time- from 1950 to 1977,1980-89, 1991-96,2004-contd. ;

2. Social and economic Inequality – Discrimination on the basis of religion, caste, creed and sex

3. Poverty – About 38% people live below the poverty line.4. Unemployment – Millions of people are either unemployed or under-employed.

They loses faith in democracy and starts indulging in bad activities like theft, robbery and even to sell their votes.

5. Casteism –Nomination of candidates by parties, voter cast their votes on caste lines, formation of Govt. caste factor play an important role.

6. 6. Communalism –Communalism –Leads to communal violence and riots which pose a great danger to national unity.

7. IlliteracyIlliteracy- India’s 40% people are illiterate .An illiterate person has no knowledge of his right and duties and so can not exercise them properly.

8. Multiple Party SystemMultiple Party System – 6 -National parties, 36 – regional parties , 612 non recognised p.

20 political parties – NDA – Sh. Atal Bihari Vajpayee 24 political parties – UPA - Mrs. Sonia Gandhi

EVALUTION OF THE WORKING OF PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY IN INDIA

.9. Election are very expensiveElection are very expensive -

10. Political Parties are not Organised on Healthy and Sound Political Parties are not Organised on Healthy and Sound PrinciplesPrinciples -

11. Defective Election SystemDefective Election System – in 1980, Lok Sabha-351 out of 525, but 42.6% vote- Congress partyCongress party, in1984, Congress party bagged 78.4% Seats but 49.3% votes.

12. Poor Quality of Legislators -Poor Quality of Legislators -13. Lack of Free and Honest Press –Lack of Free and Honest Press –14. Problem of Linguism, Regionalism and ProvincialismProblem of Linguism, Regionalism and Provincialism -22

recognised language in our Constitution.

15. Violence -_Violence -_ The two of our late Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Mr. Rajiv Gandhi became victims of political violence.

FACTORS STRENGTHENING FACTORS STRENGTHENING DEMOCRATIC DEMOCRATIC TRADITIONSTRADITIONS

The Preamble Fundamental Rights and

Directive Principle of state policy Responsible Government Universal Adult Franchise Provision for Election Commission Rule of Law

EXTRA – CONSTITUTIONAL EXTRA – CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS -PROVISIONS -

Democratic LegacyDemocratic Legacy Leadership of great leadersLeadership of great leaders Awakening of the PeopleAwakening of the People Economic Plans Economic Plans Faith in Constitutional MeansFaith in Constitutional Means Role of opposition PartiesRole of opposition Parties