Essay on Democracy

KBL ACADEMY OF ENGLISH RAILWAY ROAD SHAKARGARH (+92-333-4-91-92-97)

DEMOCRACY (BA ENGLISH)

DEMOCRACY DEFINITION

1.       Govt. of the people

2.       Famous form of govt.

3.       Found in majority of the world countries

CHARACTERISTICS

1.       Rule of law and equality

2.       Justice

3.       Freedom of expression

4.       Equal opportunities for all

5.       Rapid growth

6.       Welfare state

PAKISTAN AND DEMOCRACY

1.       Result of democratic movement

2.       Liked by Quaid e Azam

PROBLEMS

1.       Military rule and effects

2.       Royal attitude of politicians

3.       Lack of accountability

4.       Uneducated masses

ISLAMIC DEMOCRACY

1.       Morality and accountability

2.       Advisory council

SUGGESTIONS

1.       Educational and political awareness

2.       Role of media

3.       Strict system of accountability

4.       Reforms in Police and Judiciary

CONCLUSION

Democracy is a device that ensures we shall be governed no better than we deserve.

George Bernard Shaw

Democracy is the best form of the govt. in the world. It has been the favourite system in the human history since Greek times. It started in Athens. It has gone through different changes with the passage of time. Many principles and rules have improved with the educational and intellectual growth of humanity. It is not mere a form of Govt. rather it contains certain principles which provide foundation for the system of govt. Abraham Lincoln says that it is “Government of the people, by the people, for the people”

It is the well praised system in 167 countries of the world. Only fifty one countries have dictatorship because they are poor and developing countries. Mostly it has parliamentary and presidential systems. The masses participate in the election process and elect their representatives directly or indirectly.

Democracy has the fair and free election process, supremacy of the constitution, the rule of law, freedom of expression, equality, justice and freedom for the people. A democratic state follows the principles of equality without difference of religion, caste, ethnicity and regional background. Every citizen participates in the democratic process. Everybody is provided equal opportunities in the social, political and economic fields. He is guaranteed security of life and property.

There is a rapid economic growth in democracy because state institutions work well in it. The govt. provides Security and justice. As Hazrat Ali said, “The govt. of injustice can’t remain longer.” A democratic govt. runs a welfare state and a strict system of accountability.

Pakistan is the result of democratic movement of Quaid e Azam and his fellows. The constitution of Pakistan is based on democratic values. The constitutions of 1956, 1962 and 1973 were democratic in spirit. According to Muhammad Ali Jinnah,

“Pakistan is made for the betterment of the people living in it. People will themselves select their

Leader and it’s the responsibility of the Leader to fulfill the needs of the people and work day and night for this Motherland.”

                But unfortunately, it has not been successful in our country. It is necessary that people should be educated and participating in it. They should be mature and aware of their duties and rights. They should fight for their rights and rule of law. Three army coup of Ayub Khan, Zia ul Haq and Musharraf have derailed the train of democracy. Sometimes the people welcome the dictator. This shows the developing state of democracy in Pakistan. The corruption of the politicians is an open secret. The common people don’t believe in political institutions.

                There is royal attitude of the politicians. They don’t think themselves the servants of the public. They misuse their power. There is lack of check and balance. NAB is not effective. The institutions are politicized. There is not continuity of democracy.

                The concept of Islamic democracy is different in structure but similar in spirit. It has advisory council run by the senior and pious members of the country. Their decisions are approved by the masses later on. There is a strict system of accountability and morality check in Islam. Even the caliph Umar (God be pleased with him) can be asked how he had prepared his dress from a single sheet of cloth.

                Democracy can be made effective if the people are educated, responsible and sincere. A fair and honest election commission can play an important role. Media should make the people aware politically. Direct system election can minimize politician’s role. The institutions should be made free from political involvement. Education system should be revised to train the coming generations. Independent police and judiciary can be useful in this regard.