The distinctive feature of Indian democracy is that we have universal adult suffrage - one man one vote and a written constitution that defines the role of the Legislature, the Executive, and the Judiciary. The Legislatures have a fixed tenure and elections are held under the authority of the Chief Election Commissioner who is not subordinate to the Executive. The Head of the State is elected although indirectly by the elected representatives. This is different from a Constitutional monarchy-the type of democracy as it exists in Britain. Let us learn about the democracy in India.

India is a Republic and as such no authority outside the geographical boundaries of the country exercises any control, real or notional over the affairs of the government at the Centre or the State level. Apart from political democracy in India, Indian Constitution also promises social democracy, Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity to form a union of the trinity.

India had an age-old tradition of monarchy. Some monarchs were enlightened and benevolent while some others were cruel and tyrants. In any case, the succession to the throne was by heredity. With the decline of the Mughal Empire, there was a long period of turbulence.

The Government of India Act of 1858 gave the British Crown total imperial control over the country. There was no popular participation. The entire machinery of the administration was bureaucratic totally unconcerned about public opinion in India. A grain of popular element was introduced in 1861 when certain non-official members were added to the Governor General's Executive Council.

The Indian Councils Act of 1892 provided that the non-official members of the Indian Legislative Council were to be henceforth nominated by the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and the Provincial Legislative Councils while the non-official members of the Provincial Councils were to be nominated by certain local bodies. The object was to give further opportunities to the native elements in Indian society to take part in the work of the government.

The Morley Minto Reforms of 1909 provided that there was no more an official majority in the Provincial Legislative Councils. An element of the election was also introduced in the Legislative Council at the Centre. The Act of 1909 for the first time provided separate representation for the Muslim community.

The Government of India Act 1919 introduced substantiative changes. Indian Legislature was made more representative and bicameral. It was to consist of an Upper House of 60 members of whom 34 were elected. The Lower House comprised 144 members of whom 104 were elected. The electorates were however arranged on a communal and sectional basis.

Democracy in India: Changes in the Concept Democracy

Democracy as a political system has a core content. There should be political parties with alternative programs. People should have the right to elect their own representatives. This right should be available to them periodically so that they have a chance to review the performance of their elected representatives.

Apart from these core considerations, the form of democracy varies from country to country. India has a multi-party system while the US has just two political parties. The age at which the citizens become eligible to vote is not the same in all democracies. India follows the first past the post system of elections. Many other countries have developed alternative systems.

In Britain, the candidates who stand for election get certain support from the State while in India all election-related financing comes from private party sources. Thus while the core content may be similar, democracy has taken various forms in different countries of the world.

Read More: Factors Promoting Democracy: Democracy in the Contemporary World