JAWAHARLAL NEHRU: DEMOCRACY

INTRODUCTION

- Birth of Jawaharlal Nehru: 14th November 1889.

- Parents: Motilal Nehru and Swaruprani Thussu.
- J. Nehru was the first Prime Minister of India.
- Education: Home tutored until the Age of 16. Went abroad and spent 7 years there for
further studies. Returned to India as a Barrister.
- Nehru as the leader of the Country’s Intellectuals and Youth.

IN THIS SEMINAR- NEHRU’S CONCEPT OF DEMOCRACY

 DEMOCRACY- IN GENERAL

- A system of government by which supreme power is

vested in the people.

- Democracy- Expression of will of people exercised

- Democracy in the Indian Context

 NEHRU’S IDEA OF DEMOCRACY
- Nehru as a symbol of new polity- Liberal, Progressive, Humanist and Egalitarian.
- A genuine democrat.
- Influence of West at intellectual and social levels shaped Nehru’s views about democracy.
- Nehru’s Commitment towards Parliamentary Democracy.
IMPLICATIONS OF NEHRU’S VIEWS ON DEMOCRACY

Limited Government

Individualism as the foundation of democracy

Egalitarian order as the pillar of democracy

Secularism as the foundation of democracy

Emphasis on Parliamentary Democracy

Techniques of Democracy
 1. LIMITED GOVERNMENT

- Freedom of Nation and Freedom of People.

- Nehru condemned Fascism and Nazism

- Advocated Limited Government- Masses being their own

master.

- He was repugnant to the idea of Absolute Government.

 2. INDIVIDUALISM AS THE FOUNDATION OF DEMOCRACY

- Nehru deeply believed in Individualism. He often highlighted individual growth and

emphasized on development of individual identity.

- He believed that every person should have equal opportunity for materialistic development.

- Reflection of Nehru’s ideas on Individualism being the base of Democracy in the Objective
Resolutions.

- FREEDOM WITH RESPONSIBILITY.

 3. EGALITARIAN ORDER
- Criticism of Western Democracy- Political Power monopoly of the economically dominant class.
- Society should be free from discrimination and economic exploitation.
- His Primary Objective: Establishment of Economic democracy which would materialize in a
Socialist pattern.
- Nehru’s socialistic idea of democracy.

4. SECULARISM AS FOUNDATION OF DEMOCRACY

- Nehru opposed tyranny of majority

- Tolerance- Agreeing to Disagree.
- Provisions in the constitution to govern secularism in democracy.
 5. EMPHASIS ON PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY

- Nehru favoured Parliamentary Democracy- dynamic, ensures continuity and change, etc.
- Popular sovereignty through representation, election through adult franchise, responsible political
parties and leadership.

6. TECHNIQUES OF DEMOCRACY

- Discussion, argument, persuation and final decision.

- Non- violent Dissent.
- Democracy as a way of life.
 CONCLUSION

• Amelioration of the problems of masses by means of implementing democratic ideals.

• Political Democracy + Economic Democracy = Progress of the Country
• Nehru’s Concept of Democracy- Political, Socialistic, Secular, Humanitarian and Educative.
THANK YOU!