Some indicators of functioning democracy

Monarchy accepts succession by heredity. Military rule neither offers any choice of government rulers nor allows people to criticize the actions of the government howsoever unfair and unjust they may be. None of the two systems can be called democratic in content.

No definition of democracy would cover every aspect of democratic functioning countries are accepted as being democratic if they allow the following:

� The policies of the government are framed by the elected representatives of the people.
� The elections are held at constitutionally prescribed intervals under an independent authority. Voters are allowed to vote without any threats or coercion. The exercise of voting is fair and so is the declaration of results.
� The right to vote is universal and free from any conditions based on sex, religion, caste, education, property held, etc.
� The constitution prescribes conditions for contesting elections that are not based on any extraneous considerations. (In Pakistan, only a Muslim can be head of the state.)
� Candidates are free to canvass. There is no reason so far freedom of expression is concerned.
� More than one political party can be formed and have the right to propagate their programs through their election manifestos. (In China the people have the limited choice between two candidates designated by the ruling party).
� The citizens are equal in the eyes of law and are protected by the judiciary if their rights are encroached upon by the executive wing of the government or the military authorities.
� People have the freedom of movement over different parts of the country.
� The citizens are allowed to follow their religious and cultural practices. The minorities enjoy the same rights as does the majority of the population irrespective of the religious faith of the citizens.
� The people have the freedom to discuss their ideas without any ban or censorship from the government.

None of the commonly quoted definitions of democracy are as exhaustive as the list of indicators quoted as earlier. Democracy as an institution is still evolving, even within the democracies of the world, there are differences so far operation of various institutions related to democracy is concerned. Civil liberties are not equally liberal in all countries of the world. Britain has traditions that one does not find in Indian democracy.

The British Prime Ministers would vacate the official residence by the next day after handing over his resignation. No such thing ever happened in India. Democratic functioning is now being sought even in smaller institutions within the democracies of the world there is a difference so far operation of various institutions related to democracy is concerned. The people expect institutions like sports bodies to function in a democratic manner.

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