DEMOCRACY TO BE REFINED

As in any other system of governments democracy too has its own deficiencies. The most significant discrepancy of democracy is -' ruling by the elected from the legislature and simultaneously ruling by the people from the streets'. A government elected by the majority of the voters can be brought down by the minority opposition by acting from the streets is a very dangerous expression in democracy. Democracy has become like a stone left the catapult.

Abraham Lincoln on November 19, 1863 in the famous Gettysburg address defined democracy "...... a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal .......... and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." This is recognized as the fundamental concept of  democracy. The subsequent rulers, however,  have deviated too far from the basic law, therefore, the ruled started loosing faith in existing form of democratic governments. Democracy itself have attained the current shape after prolonged evolution through anarchy, aristocracy, autocracy, monarchy, theocracy, haglocracy, oligarchy, tyranny etc. and therefore, need certain amount of denting to retain it stronger.

About 15% of the total independent nations are still in some form of monarchy, 8% are communists, military ruled, dictatorship etc. and the remaining are in parliamentary democracy. Due to various reasons the present form of democracy is successful in some countries  while in some other countries including ours it is not so successful. Unchecked corruption, excessive interference by political parties, criminals becoming law makers and law managers, excessive religious interference in politics etc are considered the major handicaps of Indian democracy. Appropriate changes in the existing constitution may re-rail the system. Some 25 to 50 member non political elected body of the people above the parliament, executive and judiciary to supervise, supervise only, the functioning of these pillars can be an effective solution.

The level of satisfaction of the subjects is the parameter for the success of any form of governments. When this level reaches the braking point the government collapses . In to days democratic governments in India the people are considered as the voting machine only. The elected ones look at them only at regular intervals of parliamentary elections. At least we Indians are bearing this brunt for quite some time. Corruption has crept into all levels. Even getting elected itself is taken for granted as a license to be corrupt. The natural resources of  the country have started flowing into private hands. A few of them together now hold the governments in their hands, at least some people think. This situation is alarming. The people should wake up to the call. Corrective measures are to be take well in time. Otherwise we may not remain as Indians. Democracy itself now need to be refined.

KVGeorge

Kerala, India