Essay on Democracy and Totalitarianism – Thinkers distinguish between different kinds of political systems. Long back Aristotle introduced a six-fold classification of political system: Kingship (Monarchy) and Tyranny (rule by one); Aristocracy and Oligarchy (rule by a few) and Polity and Democracy (rule by many).
Max Weber was of the opinion that the type of the political system depends upon the nature of its legitimacy. Legitimacy rests on three factors: (i) Tradition, (ii) Exceptional Personal Qualities or Charismatic Personality, and (iii) Legality.
T.B. Bottomore makes a distinction between three kinds of political systems:
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(i) Political system of tribal societies which are slowly getting modernised and industrialised. Ex: African Societyies.
(ii) Political systems in non-industrial Countries of ancient civilizations which are being industrialised after emancipation from colonial and autocratic rule. Ex: Countries of Asia, Middle East, some Latin American Countries.
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(iii) Political systems of the industrial societies. Here two major types of political systems can be witnessed: (a) The Democratic-Capitalist or Democratic- Socialist’, and (b) The Communist-Totalitarian including other kinds of totalitarianism.
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Democracy—as a Political System:
Democracy as a political system, i.e., as a form of government, has become politically the most fashionable one today. It is often said to be the best and the most civilised form of political system.
Still, as Burns says, “Democracy is a word with many meanings and some emotional colour.” He further says, “Few words have been more loosely and variously defined than democracy. It has almost literally meant all things to all men.” Definition of Democracy
The term democracy is derived from two Greek words demos which means the people and kratia which means the power. “Literally, therefore, democracy is regarded as that government where the power is vested in the people”.
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(i) Gettell defines democracy as-“that form of government in which the mass of the population possesses the right to share in the exercise of sovereign power”.
(ii) Maclver writes: “Democracy is, not a way of governing whether by majority or otherwise but primarily a way of determining who shall govern and broadly, to what ends”.
(iii) Sardar Panikkar, a noted Indian Historian writes: “Democracy is in fact, not merely a form of government; it is a complex of social, economic and political factors, affecting the relationship of the state of the individual, guaranteeing essential freedoms, personal liberty, and freedom of expression of organisation and of governing activities”.
(iv) Abraham Lincoln has said that democracy is a “government of the people by the people and for the people “.
(v) For Aristotle democracy was “a perverted form of popular rule”.
Basic Principles of Democracy:
The basic principles of democracy can be listed here.
(1) Democracy guarantees all individuals the right to speak, criticise and disagree with others.
(2) It stands on the spirit of tolerance and allows people to have diverse views, ideas and ideologies.
(3) It believes in the methods of persuasion and peace.
(4) It is opposed to the use of coercive methods or to the threat of power.
(5) It upholds the dignity of the human personality.
(6) It guarantees fundamental rights to its citizens like the right to freedom of speech, press, peaceful assembly, to contest the elections, constitutional remedies, etc.
(7) it is built on the foundations of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity.
(8) In democracy sovereignty rests with the people.
(9) It is a rule by the majority with full safeguards for the right of the minorities.
(10) It is a government by the representatives of the people who are elected on the basis of universal adult franchise.
(11) It functions strictly according to the provision of the constitution, written or unwritten, which has been accepted by the people.
(12) It gives adequate opportunities to all and assures every one full justice.
(13) Though it is a rule by majority, it aims at the welfare of all.
(14) It provides for a change in government according to constitutional provision.
Essential Conditions of Democracy:
There are certain conditions which must be fulfilled if democracy is to become successful. Some of them are as follows:
(1) Democracy requires some amount of political maturity and education on the part of its people.
(2) Eternal vigilance is the price of democracy. People must be alert to protect it at all costs.
(3) It requires an efficient and elaborate system of self-governing institutions like Village Panchayat, Municipalities, Taluk Boards, District Boards, etc.
(4) Democracy survives.