THE STORY OF INDIAN DEMOCRACY
1. Democracy is government of the people by the people and for the people.
2. Two kinds of categories are - DIRECT & REPRESENTATIVE
Direct Democracy - all citizens without the intermediary of elected officials can participate in making public decisions, is practical with small number of people, for eg. tribal council, community organisation, local unit of a trade union, etc.
REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY - citizens elect officials to represent them and take decisions. Features of modern society with large populations.
For eg - Municipal Boards State Assemblies, Parliament, etc.
3. PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY - members of a group or community participate collectively in the taking of major decisions for eg Panchayati Raj System
4. Basis of the core values of Indian Democracy -
5. Basic objectives laid down by the constitution
6. Law carries the means to force obedience, has the power of state behind it. The essence of law is force and coercion.
Justice - the essence of justice is fairness, It functions through the hierarchy of authorities and follow the basic procedures as prescribes in the constitution. A
hierarchy of courts interpret the laws.
7. Constitution is a document based on the ideals on which a nation rests. It is the basic norm from which all other rules and authorities flow. The Supreme
court is the highest court and the ultimate interpreter of the constitution.
8. Panchayati Raj literally translates to governance by five individuals. The idea has been to create a vibrant democracy at the village or grassroots level.
9. Views on Panchayati Raj
10. 73rd amendment of constitution in 1992 introduced grass root democracy or decentralised governance, granting various provisions.
11. 74th constitutional amendment -
12. Various powers & responsibilities undertaken by Panchayats.
13. Main source of income for Panchayats
14. Nyaya Panchayat are constituted in certain villages, They have authority to pass judgement on petty civil and criminal Cases. they can impose fines but
cannot award sentences.
15 Van Panchayat - these are environmental groups comprising mostly of village women who develop nurseries and nurture tree saplings. They also guard nearby
forests to check illegal deforestation.
16. Interest groups. - are organized to pursue specific interest in the political arena operating primarily by lobbying with the members of legislative bodies.