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14. CHALLENGES TO DEMOCRACY
n Meaning of Challenge
A challenge is not just any problem. We usually call only those difficulties a ‘challenge’ which are significant and
which can be overcome. A challenge is a difficulty that carries within it an opportunity for progress. Once we
overcome a challenge we go up to a higher level than before.

l Foundational Challenge : Different countries face different kinds of challenges. At least one fourth of the
globe is still not under democratic government. The challenge for democracy in these parts of the world is very
stark. These countries face the foundational challenge of making the transition to democracy and then instituting
democratic government. This involves bringing down the existing non-democratic regime, keeping military away
from controlling government and establishing a sovereign and functional state. For example, Nepal was under
Monarchy till recent times. Now Nepal has changed to a democratic system. Certain mindsets and systems will
take years to change as they have taken years to develop. Nepal is a very good example of foundational
challenge of democracy.

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l Challenge of Expansion : Most of the established democracies face the challenge of expansion. This involves
applying the basic principle of democratic government across all the regions, different social groups and various

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institutions. Ensuring greater power to local governments, extension of federal principle to all the units of the
federation, inclusion of women and minority groups, etc., falls under this challenge. This also means that less
and less decisions should remain outside the arena of democratic control. Most countries including India and

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other democracies like the US face this challenge. In India certain socio-economically backward groups have yet
to get the political powers. Additionally, some north-eastern states have not yet fully integrated with the main-

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stream India. These are examples of challenge of expansion of democracy.

l Deepening of Democracy : The third challenge of deepening of democracy is faced by every democracy in
one form or another. This involves strengthening of the institutions and practices of democracy. This should

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happen in such a way that people can realise their expectations of democracy. But ordinary people have
different expectations from democracy in different societies. In the early nineties, when T N Sheshan became
the Chief Election Commissioner, he brought about a revolutionary change of disciplining political parties. This
in turn ensured fairer elections. This is an example of strengthening a particular political institution.
From above descriptions it is clear that different country face different kinds of challenges to democracy. These
challenges depend on what stage of social development the country is. Solutions to these challenges also de-
pend on a particular country’s unique situation. It can be said that there is no pre-prescribed method to tackle
the challenge faced by a democracy.

n Devising Ways and Means for Political Reforms in India.

l (i) One way is legal reform, making new laws to ban undesirable things.
(ii) But legal-constitutional changes cannot overcome challenges to democracy.
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(iii) The reforms have to be carried out mainly by political activists, parties, movements and politically conscious citizens.

l Legal changes sometimes have a counter-productive result. But laws which empower people to carry out
democratic reforms are best, e.g. the Right to Information Act.

l Democratic reforms are spread or brought about through political practice. Main focus of political reforms is
strengthening democracy.

l While proposing a political reform, one should be very clear about who will implement it and how. Political
parties and MPs will never vote for a legislation that is against their interests.

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} For the expansion the definition slightly to add some qualifications
The rulers elected by the people must take all the major decisions.
Elections must offer a choice and fair opportunity to the people to change the current rulers.
This choice and opportunity should be available to all the people on an equal basis.
The exercise of this choice must lead to a government limited by basic rule of the constitution and citizens
rights

} Various aspects of democratic government and politics

We discussed democratic rights at length and noted that these rights are not limited to the right to vote, stand
in elections and form political organisation.
We have taken up power sharing as the spirit of democracy and discussed how power sharing between
governments and social groups is necessary in a democracy.
We saw how democracy can not be the suppressing rule of majority and how a respect for minority voice is

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necessary for democracy.

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