HOW A DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY SHOULD BE?

Before finding an answer to this we must know what is democracy. We will first see the English dictionary meaning of democracy. The dictionary says: "A system of government by the whole population or all eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives". This meaning indicate how a government is elected. How a democratic government should be is well explained by Abraham Lincoln in his famous Gettysburg speach. According to Lincoln's definition, a democratic government  should be Of the people, By the people and For the people."

According to available information there are 167 democratic countries in the world of which 166 are sovereign states and 164 are UN member states. Voting is one way for the citizens to participate in democracy. Citizens can also contact officials when they want to support or change a law. Voting on an election and contacting our elected officials are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy.

When we prefer the Lincoln's way of democracy, in a two party system of government, it can be "of the people". However in a multy party system, it is doubtful that how far the "of the people works". Whatever it may be, it would always be by the people. Among the whole democratic countries how many are "for the people" is to be counted one by one and found. Normally in a democratic system citizens are mere voting machines. Beyond that citizens have nothing to do in a democratic set up.

In a real democratic system the citizens should have the right to correct the parliament and the government as and when needed. Otherwise such countries cannot be seen as  democratic countries. Democracy has become the property of political parties, religious establishments and individual rights in many countries. In all such countries the so called citizens have become mere voting machines. They have no other functions to perform.

K V George

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