Political systems (Democratic and Non-

Democratic)

Political system means a type of governmental structure that may be acknowledged,

observed, or otherwise declared by a state. Political systems are the formal and informal
political procedures through which choices are made in any particular society on resource
usage, production, and distribution.

In the world, there are numerous systems of government. Democracy is a system of

government in which the people have the ultimate authority. Governance systems other
than democracy are referred to as Non-democracies. This article explains the Political
systems (Democratic and Non Democratic) which are important for UPSC IAS Examination.
Democratic Government - Concept

Democracy is a type of government in which individuals directly exercise power or via

elected representatives who form a governing body.
In principle a democratic government practises democracy as a fundamental form of
governance.
In such a political system people rule the government either directly or via
representatives elected by them.
Democracy permits individuals to participate equally in the formulation, development,
and construction of laws, either directly or through elected officials.
It refers to the social, economic, and cultural conditions that allow for the free and
equitable exercise of political self determination.
It is also frequently associated with a neoliberal, and eventually neo-liberal, system of
economic policies that benefit the few while harming the many.

There are four basic features of democratic government

The political system where governments are formed and changed through the free
and fair election process.
Citizens actively participate in civic and political life.
All citizens are equal before law.
Human rights of all citizens must be protected.

Democratic Government - Types

There are several forms of democratic government. Direct democracy and representative
democracy are the two primary types

Direct democracy

Direct democracy is a form of governance in which citizens can directly engage in

decision-making.
Electoral tools such as referendums, recall elections, and citizens' initiatives are
referred to as direct democracy tools, despite the fact that they are mostly utilised in
a representational democracy.
Example: Switzerland
Representative democracy

In the current world, representative democracy is the most frequent type of

democracy.
In this system, ordinary people elect politicians to represent them. If the leader or
head of a state is also elected democratically, the state is known as a democratic
republic.
Example: United kingdom

Democratic Government - Significance

Free and fair election process means, the right to vote is indiscriminately available to
all the citizens of the country.
People vote on the basis of universal adult franchise, with equal value for all votes.
Elections are held regularly, with a fair chance for the ruling party to lose.
People can vote for the candidate of their choice without fair or temptation.
Citizen’s participation in civic and political life comes from their commitment to
democratic values.
They cannot be forced or tempted to perform their duties. Here citizens are aware
about their own rights and duties towards society.
Equality before the law of the land is an essential aspect of democracy.
No citizen enjoyed a privileged life based on his/her social status, wealth, power or
whatsoever ground. Law applies the same for all.
Without having strong protection for human rights of the citizens, democracy would
not survive.
Hence, all democratic governments are obliged to protect human rights of their
citizens usually by the constitutional law of the respective countries.
People cannot perform their democratic duties without having such guaranteed
protection.

Non-Democratic government - Concept

A non-democratic government is one that does not adhere to democratic principles.

 Non-democratic governments can be monarchies, oligarchies, aristocracies,
anarchies, feudalism, theocracies, or any other type of government.
The decision-making process of non-democratic dictators is extremely swift. In
strategic thought and even action implementation.
The majority of this occurs because non-democratic rulers do not have to deal with
assembly processes or public opinion.
Discrimination and inequality are the basic features of non-democratic governments.
People in such a society usually;

Lack the right to choose the rulers of their choice

Lack the right to replace the rulers who do not perform in their interest
Lack the protection to their life and property – i.e. Human rights violation
Lack the right to equality before law and equal protection of law
Active participation in civic and political life is often hindered by obstacles created by
the privileged groups.

Non-democratic governments - Types

Monarchy – Where the actual power is exercised by a person who is not elected by
people and cannot be replaced by them. In premodern times all the kings, Queens
and their nobles were the monarch.
Oligarchy – Here power is exercised by a small group of people who are, in practice,
not accountable to people.
Aristocracy – In such a state power is exercised by some privileged groups of society.
Theocracy – A state which is run by religious authority. Ex: Taliban in Afghanistan.

Difference between Democratic and Non - Democratic Governments

Democratic government Non - Democratic government

Democracy is a system of Governance systems other than

government in which the people have democracy are referred to as non-
the ultimate authority. democratic governments.

A democratic government is one that A non-democratic government is one

adheres to the democratic political that does not adhere to democratic
system. principles.

In the Democratic government the In the Non democratic government,

power is in the hands of the people. the government holds the power.

People do not have the ability to

People elect representatives or
choose their representatives or
leaders.
leaders.

Everyone has equal rights regardless

of their state, rank, caste, gender, or Everyone is not treated equally.
other characteristics.

Example: India Example: China

Conclusion

Democracy is a broad term that refers to a number of ideas, including popular sovereignty,
election methods, and the presence of multiple rights. If human rights are not effectively
preserved, democracy will vanish. All democratic governments owe it to their citizens to
preserve their human rights.

When a person who is not elected by the people possesses actual power such Non-
democratic regimes exist in a variety of shapes and sizes.

FAQs

Question: Does ideal democracy actually exist anywhere in the world?

Answer: Actual practice of democracy is full of adjustments and contradictions with ideal
principles. However, democracy is about what the nature of government essentially is. And
what the perception of the people and defenders of democracy is. The history of
democracy shows us a democratic nation always remains alert about not getting
dominated by non-democratic forces. It is committed to the protection of civil and human
rights of the people. Practically there are many countries like India, USA, Norway, Sweden
etc. that can be considered democratic, arguably to different degrees.

Question: Is India a democratic state by this definition and principles?

Answer: Many in the world and mostly our fellow Indian citizens consider India as a leading
democratic country. Our constitution guarantees our fundamental rights, which includes
the right to vote and human rights. The institutions like Human Rights commission, Election
commission, Central Information commission and judiciary proved to be bulwark of
democracy. We have regular elections and there are several examples where people
overthrow corrupt and tyrannical governments.

Question: Was the incident of 1975 Emergency an attack on democracy?

Answer: There were several incidents where people’s rights were violated. Many orders and
actions of the contemporary government are being criticized for gross violation of
democratic values of the nation. However, Later on, most of these mistakes were amended
and the constitution was amended subsequently in order to avoid such incidence. No
country is free from such attacks on democracy. What matters is does it survive the
attack. India undoubtedly survived this attack.

Question: What is Democracy?

Answer: Democracy is a system of governance in which citizens exercise power directly or
via elected representatives who form a governing body. Individuals can participate equally
in the formation, development, and building of laws under democracy, either directly or
through elected officials.

Question: What is Direct Democracy?

Answer: Direct democracy is a system of governance in which citizens may make decisions
directly. Despite the fact that they are usually used in a representational democracy,
electoral instruments such as referendums, recall elections, and citizens' initiatives are
referred to as direct democracy tools.

Question: What is Oligarchy?

Answer: Oligarchy is a type of power system in which power is concentrated in the hands
of a small number of people. These individuals may or may not be characterised by one or
more of the following characteristics: aristocracy, renown, fortune, education, or
corporate, religious, political, or military dominance.

Previous Year MCQs:

Question: Right to vote and to be elected in India is a (UPSC 2017)

1. Fundamental Right
2. Natural Right
3. Constitutional Right
4. Legal Right

Answer: (c) See the Explanation:

Fundamental rights in India are guaranteed under Part III (Articles 12-35) of the
Constitution of India. Hence, option (a) is incorrect.
Natural Rights are independent of any legal rights or customary laws of society.
Hence, option (b) is incorrect.
Article 326 of the constitution of India provides for the elections for House of the
People (Lok Sabha) and to the Legislative Assemblies of States to be on the basis of
adult suffrage. Any citizen of India who has completed the age of 21 and has registered
in a voting list of a constituency shall be entitled for voting. Thus, the provision for right
 to vote is expressly mentioned in the constitution of India. Therefore, option (c) is the
correct answer.
Legal Rights are passed by formal legislative authority of a State. Ex. laws passed by
Indian parliament. Right to vote in India is not given by such a law of the parliament.
Therefore, option (d) is incorrect

Question: For election to the Lok Sabha, a nomination paper can be filed by (UPSC 2017)

1. Anyone residing in India.

2. A resident of the constituency from which the election is to be contested.
3. Any citizen of India whose name appears in the electoral roll of a constituency.
4. Any citizen of India.

Answer: (c) See the explanation:

Nomination criteria for a candidate for the Lok Sabha election:

He/She must be a citizen of India.

He/She must not be less than 25 years of age.
He/She must be a voter for any parliamentary constituency in India.

Option (c) fulfills these criteria completely. Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.