Democracy – Different Forms of Democracy

Democracy is not only a form of Government in which the ends and means are people themselves but also associated with a way of life. The word democracy is made of two Greek words: ‘Demos’ (meaning people) and ‘Kratos’ (meaning power). J. S. Mill defines, “Democracy is a form of Government in which the whole people or some numerous portions of them, exercise the governmental power through deputies periodically elected by them.”

Thus, there are several definitions of democracy given by scholars but the best definition is presented by Abraham Lincoln. He defines, “Democracy as a government of the people, by the people and for the people”. Different forms of democracy are prevalent in the modern-day world like representative democracy, participatory democracy, social democracy, deliberative democracy, etc.

Also Read: Democracy – Historical Background, and Justification

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Political Theory – Growth and Evolution

Representative Democracy

In modern times, democracy is viewed as the rule by people through elected representatives, it is based on the majoritarian principles. There is a certain number of people elected by people to rule on their behalf, this system is called the system of representation. Enlightened citizens are the foremost condition for the successful working of democracy as they must know about their rights and duties.

Education is another important condition for a successful democracy as citizens need to be educated about the things of democracy. The local self-government or decentralization of government is very essential for a successful democracy. For example, the 73^rd and 74^th Constitution Amendment Act in the Indian Constitution provides constitutional status to local self-government in India. Fundamental rights ensure balance in the development of human personalities as they make the foundation of democracy stronger.

Participatory Democracy

The evidence of participatory democracy can be traced back to the Greek city-state and such type of direct democracy was prevalent in ancient Indian republics of Vaishali, Lichachavi, etc. In direct or participatory democracy, all the people residing in the Republic were members of the government and used to take part in its deliberations. Certain tools used in direct democracy are; Referendum, Initiative, Recall, and Plebiscite.

A referendum is a procedure through which an important issue or controversial issue is placed before the people for their verdict. This is widely used in Switzerland and some states of the USA. An Initiative is a mechanism whereby a certain group may propose a law or even constitutional amendment that needs to be supported by the signatures of a certain number of people. And if the legislature is not willing to form a law on that subject, then it may be put before the whole electorate.

The recall is a procedure when a certain number of the electorate may demand the removal of an elected representative. A plebiscite is another procedure whereby a direct popular vote is sought in important matters and is generally used for temporary or permanent political structure. There are certain limitations of the plebiscite as it is suitable for small states like Switzerland. Direct democracy is inefficient in handling emergencies.

Social democracy

Democracy is also associated with a way of life of people through social and economic systems. The social system in a democracy stands for general social welfare through the fullest development of human personality which is only possible when freedom and liberty are granted. The system of economic development provides economic freedom by providing equal opportunities. Democracy does not discriminate against people on the grounds of caste, religion, language, region, or gender.

Deliberative Democracy

Deliberative democracy stands for the open and public deliberation on the common issues, concerning all. The advocates of the deliberative democracy have faith in persuasion as the best basis for political power and governance. It allows some division of political power between people and professional politicians, unlike participatory democracy. It also delegates some power and control to the individuals on some matters and believes in political accountability.

Cosmopolitan Democracy

Cosmopolitan democracy is the result of emergence of the supernatural organizations like the European Union and other regional associations. The new cosmopolitan realities have also brightened the prospects of global citizenship. The global civil society is inching in this direction with the rise of the global movements for environmentalism, women’s rights, and campaigns against terrorism. However, the growth of cosmopolitan democracy depends shape of globalization.

Thus, different types of democracy are prevalent in the modern-day world.