Various Forms of democracy
Relevant for Sociology Optional for Civil Service Examination.
Relevance : Sociology Paper -1
Unit – Polity & Society
Various Forms of democracy
- Classical Democracy: In Ancient Greece, classical democracy centered around the polis or city-state, particularly in the largest and most powerful city-state. The system involved mass meetings where citizens actively participated in decision-making and public offices. However, this model excluded women, slaves, and foreigners from citizenship, a criticism highlighted by Plato in “The Republic.”
- Elitist Democracy: The elitist theory, proposed by Vilfredo Pareto, G. Mosca, Robert Michels, and Joseph Schumpeter, suggests that despite democratic intentions, organizations inevitably transform into oligarchies ruled by a few. According to Mosca, society is divided into rulers and the ruled, with most power concentrated in the hands of the elite, challenging the feasibility of true democracy.
- Pluralist Democracy: In contrast to elitism, pluralists argue that policymaking is a decentralized process involving interactions among various groups, as opposed to being controlled by a few elites. Advocates of this theory, including Karl Mannheim, Raymond Aron, Robert Dahl, and Charles Lindblom, propose the concept of ‘polyarchy,’ where rule by many replaces rule by all citizens.
- Participatory Democracy: Participatory democracy, supported by Jean J. Rousseau, J.S. Mill, and C.B. Macpherson, emphasizes active citizen involvement in policymaking to ensure the promotion of the common good. It aims to bridge the gap between elected representatives and the diverse population in complex democracies, fostering accountability and a more engaged citizenry.
- Deliberative Democracy: Deliberative democracy argues for political decisions based on fair and reasoned deliberations among citizens. Advocates such as John Rawls and Jurgen Habermas emphasize the importance of a deliberative process to achieve the best outcomes for the public good, relying on fair procedures and clear communication.
- People’s Democracy: People’s democracy, rooted in Marxist tradition, envisions democratic models emerging after a proletarian revolution. Marxists, focused on social equality, propose their version of democracy, challenging the Western model’s political equality. However, concerns arise regarding accountability when power shifts to the party, as seen in Lenin’s modifications to the concept.
- Social Democracy: Social democracy, distinct from traditional Marxism, seeks to establish a socialist society through state regulation rather than revolution. Originating with August Bebel and Wilhelm Liebknecht in Germany, social democrats view democracy as essential for achieving socialist goals. They advocate for state regulation of business and industry to ensure citizen welfare.
- E-Democracy: E-democracy, a contemporary concept building on earlier theories, explores the use of information and technology to enhance or replace representative democracy. Addressing common issues like scale, time constraints, and a decline in community values, e-democracy aims to increase active citizen participation in policymaking through digital communication.
Reference: Static Portion
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Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Question: Define the term “ethnic movement” and provide an example from India.
Answer: An ethnic movement refers to a collective effort by a group sharing common cultural, linguistic, or religious traits, seeking to assert their identity and rights; an example from India is the Khalistan Movement in Punjab.
2. Question: Identify the main objectives behind the Gorkhaland ethnic movement.
Answer: The Gorkhaland ethnic movement primarily seeks to establish a separate state for India’s Nepali-speaking population in the Darjeeling region, advocating for linguistic and cultural recognition and political autonomy.
3. Question: What was the Operation Blue Star, and which ethnic movement was it related to?
Answer: Operation Blue Star was a military action in 1984, aiming to remove Sikh militants hiding in the Golden Temple in Amritsar; it is related to the Khalistan movement, which sought a separate Sikh country.
4. Question: Mention a critical factor that triggered the emergence of ethnic movements in India, as discussed by Dipankar Gupta.
Answer: Dipankar Gupta emphasized that ethnicity is fundamentally a political process, wherein caste and religion, the key components of identity formation, are politicized by leaders for vested interests.
5. Question: What were the primary reasons for the Assam Ethnicity conflicts involving Bodo tribals and Bengali Muslim settlers?
Answer: The Assam Ethnicity conflicts primarily stemmed from issues related to immigration, land rights, and resource allocation, leading to clashes, riots, and evolving relationships among indigenous communities to address challenges.
6. Question: Briefly describe the role of the Dravidian Movement in terms of caste and societal structure.
Answer: The Dravidian Movement, led notably by E.V. Ramasamy, aimed to establish an egalitarian society, focusing on anti-Brahmanism and advocating for equal rights for backward castes, while also introducing reforms like self-respect marriages.
7. Question: Name the prominent ethnic movements in North-East India and specify one common objective.
Answer: Prominent ethnic movements in North-East India include the Nagas’ and Mizos’ struggles; a common objective was to gain autonomy and recognition for their distinct tribal identities and cultural uniqueness.
8. Question: What is the key argument of Gail Omveldt regarding traditional Indian society and multiculturalism?
Answer: Gail Omveldt opposed romanticizing traditional Indian society, arguing that hierarchy has always dominated it and dismissing the notion that multiculturalism is an intrinsic feature of Indian society as a myth.
9. Question: Briefly explain the social hierarchy factor as a contributing element to ethnic movements as suggested by Olzak.
Answer: Olzak suggests that the construction of hierarchies among ethnic communities, which often leads to the suppression of one group by another, is a key factor that can instigate social and ethnic movements.
10. Question: Identify one consequence of the unequal economic development factor within the context of ethnic movements in India.
Answer: One consequence of unequal economic development is the marginalization and underdevelopment of certain groups, leading to feelings of alienation and sometimes initiating ethnic movements as these groups strive for equality and recognition.
GS Related Practices Questions…
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META TAGS:
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