1.

UNDERSTANDING TYPES OF DEMOCRACY

Democracy in the contemporary world is considered to be a popular form of Government in

which people enjoy rights and freedoms: social, economic and political

Democracy indicates an involvement of the people in the functioning of their government.

A wide range of democratic practices exist in order to further engage citizens in making
political and institutional decisions. The level to which this engagement occurs is mandated
either by the constitution or by individual governments through legislation and through the
choice and design of the electoral system. While some countries offer more provisions for
direct citizen participation within the constitutional framework, others have firm
restrictions. Democracy is categorised into two broad forms on the basis of the citizen’s
participation: Direct and Indirect.

Further, one cannot forget free and fair periodic elections as an important pre-requisite of a
democratic set up. These elections are impossible without the existence of political
competition.
Let us study the meaning, features, forms of direct and indirect Democracy as well as the
importance and necessity of elections and political parties for the success of Democracy.

Success of Democracy depends on the level of participation of people in the working of the
governance. This participation includes lot many things like voting, being a member of the
government, raising demands from time to time, etc.
Broadly, there are two forms of Democracy depending on the manner of participation:
Direct and Indirect.

2. DIRECT DEMOCRACY
2.1. Meaning of Direct Democracy

In simple terms, direct Democracy is where political power is exercised by the citizens
without representatives acting of their behalf. In a direct Democracy, major decisions on
public policy are made directly by the mass of adult citizens. Most citizens personally
participate in the decision making process. In other words, the whole body of adult
citizens govern the political society.

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 Direct Democracy is also termed as "pure Democracy".
It can be defined as
A system in which people as a political community, come together in a forum to
make policy decisions themselves, with no intervening institution or officials.

A political system in which the citizens vote directly in matters of public concern
and every citizen participates in the decision-making.
As the people participate directly in the administration, direct Democracy is best suited
for small countries. Switzerland is one of the examples of direct Democracy where this
form of government is being followed since the 14 century in some cantons and in the
federal structure it was incorporated in 1848.

SWISS DEMOCRACY: THE ROOTS

Direct Democracy is deeply rooted in Swiss politics,
with the first direct citizen vote occurring in 1294
in the canton of Schwyz and recorded by the
canton Landsgemeinde (provincial assembly).
The Landsgemeinde assemblies were annual
assemblies of all male citizens with voting status.
Landsgemeinde, oldest form of direct
The smallest such assembly was under 1,000 people,
Democracy
and the largest over 10,000 people.
Particularly remarkable is that while these cantons
practiced direct participation on quite a large scale,
the rest of Europe was under feudal or absolutist systems.

Direct Democracy puts the steering wheel of the government in the hands of the people. It is
based on the right of every citizen over a certain age to attend political meetings, vote on the
issue being discussed at that meeting and accept the majority decision.
Direct Democracy also believes in the right of every one to hold political office if they choose
to do so.

2.2. Evolution
th
The first ever known direct Democracy is said to be the Athenian Democracy in the 5
century BC. This democratic system worked through three main bodies:

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Athenian Democracy was an elaborate system that had an assembly, a council and courts. So,
out of the male population of 30,000, several thousand citizens were politically active every
year and many of them quite regularly for years.

All citizens could vote but only a free adult male born in Athens of two Athenian parents was
considered a citizen. As women, children, and slaves were not citizens, they could not vote.

But I wonder
why the
Athenians
developed
Democracy as a
system of
governance?

Parthenon, symbol of Greek Democracy

Direct Democracy is deeply rooted in Swiss politics, with the first direct vote occurring in
1294 in the annual assemblies of Switzerland. These assemblies varied from 1,000 people to
10,000.
Switzerland became a federal state in 1848 and instruments of direct Democracy were
introduced at the national level as well at that time. Today, a variety of direct Democracy
mechanisms are provided for at both federal and cantonal level along with an elected
Parliament. The Swiss voters are given the chance to cast their votes in federal ballots on an
average of four times a year.
The Paris Commune of 1871is also associated with the idea of direct Democracy though it
did not last long.

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The founding of the Paris Commune was a natural historical

phenomenon evoked by the extreme social contradictions in the
French society. These contradictions intensified toward the end
of the 1860’s.
The Paris Commune was a consequence of the struggle of the
French and international working class against capitalist
exploitation and the political hegemony of the bourgeoisie. By
the end of the 1860’s progressive members of the French
proletariat were increasingly preoccupied with the idea of a
revolution that would result in the destruction of the capitalist
system. Their interest in this idea was promoted by the successful
struggle waged by Marx and his followers.

The history of direct Democracy in the United States dates from the 1630s in the colonial era.
Many north-eastern states of the United States of America still carry on that tradition in the
form of open town meetings. All citizens of the town are welcome to come and speak and vote
on town decisions in these meetings. Though United States of America is a representative
Democracy, some of the components of direct Democracy are observed in 24 states of US
today.

The Panchayati Raj Institutions of India also is an example of direct Democracy.

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Direct participatory Democracy takes root in Venezuela*

VENEZUELA

In 2004, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez created a movement named the consejos
comunales (communal councils) aimed at creating more responsive local governance
by handing local budgetary and legislative power to the councils. This movement was
seen by Chavez as one of the most important of the five motors of the ‘Bolivarian
Revolution' in that they should influence policy from the grassroots upwards. Great
interest in the councils was evident between 2004 and 2007 in that thousands formed
quickly. Communal banks were seen as a pre-requisite to receiving funds from the
government so as to avoid clientalistic relationships of dependency.

Local councils have the power to vote on issues directly affecting their community
and have used this to make significant changes. Major improvements have included
building social housing and repairing roads. The local councils are formed with 200-
400 families with members aged 15 and above and have an executive council and
representatives of groups within the community.

It was decided later that around 18,000 "communal councils" would be created which
will be self-managing communities replacing municipal governments and city
councils and even some functions of the federal government.
*only for reference

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2.3. FEATURES OF DIRECT DEMOCRACY

2.4. INSTRUMENTS OF DIRECT DEMOCRACY

In a direct Democracy, citizens have the right to participate and be heard in political decision
making. This is done through certain instruments or components of direct Democracy.

Let’s know these:

a) Referendum
The referendum is a tool by which the citizens of a nation i.e. the electorate declare its choice
about a decision. It is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or
reject a particular proposal. This may be adoption of a new law; change in the existing policy
or even a change in the constitution of the country.

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A mandatory or obligatory referendum is a vote of the electorate (voters) as provided in the

constitution of a country. The consequences of the vote are usually binding. This means, if a
proposal passes, the government or appropriate authority is compelled to implement it.

Optional or Facultative Referendum

These are votes of the electorate which are called by a formal demand. It can be initiated at the
will of a public authority, or at the will of the citizens in the form of a petition. An optional
referendum may originate from the executive or from the members of the legislature or from a
number of citizens. The consequences of the vote may or may not be binding.

The initiator of a referendum can be the citizens, the legislature or a part of it, the
executive branch of the government (i.e. the president or the governor) or the states in a
federation or confederation.

The Scottish and Welsh

The troubled relations between
Quebee and the rest of
Canada. In a referendum in
the province of Quebee in
1980 the voters were asked to
approve a formula which
would give Quebee
sovereignty while Canada.
The proposal was roundly
defeated. In 1992 in an all
Candian referendum, the
voters were asked to support a
comprehensive constitutionals
change, which would among
other things recognize Quebee
as a district society. The
proposal was again a
provincial referendum in
Quebee but the prolem
remains.
devolutions In 1979 and 1997,
there were referendum in both
Wales and Scotland about a
certain among of autonomy.
All of them were intdated by
the London government. In
1979, 80 per cent of the votes
cast in Wales were against
devolution. In Scotland, the
same year, the support for
devolution was tokewarm
indeed-52 percent with a 63
per cent tounout. In 1997
things had changed. The
Welsh electorate supported
devolution, even if just barely,
and the Scots supported a
Scottish parliament with a
majority of 74 per cent, and
Scottish tax-raising powers
with 64 per cent.
Develutionary measures will
now be implemented in both
Wales and Scotland.
Brazil. In 1993, when the
country had just emerged from
twenty years of military rules,
there was a referendum on a
new Democratic constitutions.
Two questions were presented
87 to 13 per cent favoured a
republic over a normely. On
the second on 69 to 31 per
cent favoured a presidential
regime, to a parliamentarian
one. Buttler and Ranney
comment that “After a
troubled period, a free
referendum gave unquestioned
legitimacy to the Brazilian
regime.

INSTANCES OF REFERENDUM IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE WORLD * only for reference

INSTANCES OF REFERENDUM IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE WORLD * only for reference

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b) Initiative
The initiative is defined as the people's power to approve or reject legislation initiated or proposed
by someone other than the legislature.
The initiative process is the most commonly used form of direct Democracy. It is also referred to
as popular or people’s initiative. It is a means by which a petition signed by a minimum number
of registered voters can force a public vote. It can be done for various forms of legislation like
constitutional amendments, ordinary statute or fiscal issues.

Initiative is of two kinds:

a. Direct: Under the direct initiative, the proposal is put directly to a vote after being submitted
by a petitioner.
b. Indirect: Under an Indirect initiative a measure is first referred to the legislature and then put
to a popular vote only if enacted by the legislature.
c. Initiative can also be called a citizens' initiative or a voters' initiative. At the federal level in
Switzerland, only the constitutional (direct) initiative may be found. Many American states on
the other hand, allow both the constitutional (direct) and the legislative (indirect) initiative.
The first state to adopt it in US was South Dakota in 1898. Today, 24 US states have the
instrument of initiative at work.

Countries with provision for initiative procedures at the regional or local level, by region
Region Regional level Local level
Americas Brazil, Colombia, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia,
Ecuador, Peru, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, United States
United States
Asia Philippines, Taiwan, Turkmenistan
Europe Germany, Italy, Sweden, Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Finland,
Switzerland Germany, Hungary, Italy, the former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Norway,
Poland, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland

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c) Recall
Recall is the name given to an instrument by which a specified number of citizens can demand a
vote of the electorate, on whether an elected holder of public office should be removed from that
office before the end of his/her term. Combining elements of the initiative instrument and a
normal candidate election, a recall initiative is launched to gather a specified number of
signatures in support of the recall measure. If and when the recall petition acquires enough valid
signatures, the issue is put to voters at a ballot to determine
Firstly, whether or not the officer in question should be recalled and

Secondly, who should replace the officer if the recall measure is successful?

CASE STUDY -The California Recall of 2003*

The 2003 recall in California of Governor Gray Davis and simultaneous election of actor Arnold
Schwarzenegger provided Americans with a view of a very powerful yet little-used tool of direct
Democracy – the recall.
Governor Davis, a Democrat, faced a plethora of problems. In his five years in office California’s
financial situation had turned from boom to bust and the government inherited 9 billion USD budget
surpluses. He and the Democratic legislature had to raise college fees, close health clinics and triple the
automobile licence fee. Electricity shortages gripped the state, resulting in rolling blackouts, and the cost
of electricity soared. The voters had enough.

The recall effort gathered steam when Republican Congressman Darrell Issa, a car alarm millionaire,
contributed 1.6 million USD of his own money to pay people to gather signatures on petitions to recall
Governor Davis. The army of paid signature gatherers gave discontented voters an outlet for their anger:
they were able to quickly gather more than the necessary 900,000 valid signatures to force the vote.
California law requires signatures numbering at least 12 per cent of the number of those who voted in
the last election to qualify a recall.

Under a unique provision of California law, there would be only one election to decide whether to recall
the governor and also to name his replacement should voters recall him. The election would only require
a simple majority to win.

During the (by US standards) short campaign, two candidates emerged from the field – Republican
Schwarzenegger and Davis’ Lieutenant-Governor Cruz Bustamante, a Democrat. There were numerous
court challenges to the election, causing it to be put on hold by the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth
Circuit and then finally allowed to proceed by the same court.

In the end, a very decisive majority of 55 per cent voted to recall Governor Davis. Turnout was high at
61 per cent of registered electors. Schwarzenegger received 49 per cent of the vote, compared with 32
per cent for Bustamante. Interestingly, because of the high interest and turnout in the recall election,
Schwarzenegger received 650,000 more votes in his election than Governor Davis had received when he
was re-elected 11 months earlier.

*For reference only

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The recall mechanism is the least common of the three direct Democracy mechanisms. Provision
of the recall mechanism at national level is rare, even in countries where direct Democracy is
widely used like Switzerland.
Sometimes, there are limits on when a recall can proceed – e.g., not in the first or last year of a
term – and on who is eligible to vote in the recall; for example, in Colombia, only those
individuals who voted in the original elections are eligible to vote in any recall.
Recall differs from another method for removing officials from office – impeachment – in that it
is a political device while impeachment is a legal process.

2.5. MERITS OF DIRECT DEMOCRACY

The system promotes patriotism and sense of responsibility among the masses

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2.6. DEMERITS OF DIRECT DEMOCRACY:

Although direct democratic devices are very useful yet they are not without defects. Some of
them may be discussed as follows:

Deciding all or most matters of public importance by direct referendum

is slow and expensive (especially in a large community), and can result
in public indifference, especially when repeatedly faced with the same
question. Modern advocates of direct democracy often suggest e-
democracy to address these problems.

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E-DEMOCRACY: A NEW FACET IN DEMOCRACY

E-Democracy is using information technology tools to facilitate, improve and ultimately extend the
exercise of Democracy. “E‐Democracy is concerned with the use of information and communication
technologies to engage citizens support the democratic decision- making processes and strengthen
representative Democracy.

E-Government or the transfer of government activities to the Internet brings with it a number of clear
benefits for both citizens and civil servants. Electronic bureaus can be open 24 hours a day, citizens can
communicate with them from anywhere, and electronic forms can be interactive and provide help when
being filled in. By eliminating communication barriers, E-government enables citizens to participate in
greater measure in civic matters, which supports the democratic principle.
Other advantages include the fact that information is in electronic form from the very beginning
(eliminating manual data entry from paper forms), human resources can be coordinated more
effectively (data processing can be distributed to various regions and outsourced), and electronic
communication can reduce costs significantly.

3. INDIRECT DEMOCRACY
3.1. Meaning of Indirect Democracy

An indirect Democracy is a form of Democracy in which the people elect their leaders to the
legislative bodies and the entire legislative body takes all the decisions, makes policies and
laws on the behalf of the people and society. An indirect Democracy is often also known as a
representative Democracy.
This system of Democracy is considered to be “indirect” because it is based on a common
assumption by the citizen that
a. The promises made by the officials during election will be the course of action the
government will actually follow after being elected.
b. The official who is elected by the citizens will always reflect the values, desires and
goals of those who elected him in the course of decision making and so no further
supervision would be required by the citizen over his actions and decisions like in
direct Democracy.

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In order for indirect Democracy to work, the government officials therefore must always put
their personal values, desires and goals subservient to those of the citizens who elected them.
3.2. FEATURES OF INDIRECT DEMOCRACY

3.3. FORMS/TYPES OF INDIRECT DEMOCRACY

A. PARLIAMENTARY FORM:
A system of government in which the power to make and execute laws is held by a parliament.
In such a system of government, there exists a very close relationship between the executive and
the legislature. England, India and Sweden are some of the examples of the Parliamentary
form of Democracy.
FEATURES

Dual Executive: real and nominal. The President in India or the king in England is the symbol of nominal head of the
executive where as the Prime Minister is the real head of the executive.



In a Parliamentary government the ministers are drawn from the legislature. As ministers, they are part of the
executive also resulting in a harmonious relationship between the executive and the legislature.



The executive in a Parliamentary system is responsible to the legislature for all its actions. The Council of Minister remains in
office as long as they enjoy the support and confidence of the members of parliament. The legislature has the right to seek
detailed information about the working of the government from the ministers, which they cannot refuse to provide.



Collective Responsibility: Everyone in the Council of Ministers share the responsibility for the lapse of a single
minister.


The members of the Council of Ministers should belong to a single political party and remain committed to a definite
political ideology. In order to ensure smooth functioning of the government homogeneity in political decisions is
needed.

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PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY IN SWEDEN‐AN OVERVIEW*

All public power In Sweden comes form the people. The people are represented
by the parliament. The Swedish parliament, Riksdagen, has since 1970, a
unicameral system. It has 349 members who are elected in proportional elections
for a period of four years at a time. The term of office was recently extended (In
1994) from three to four years.

The Parliament passes laws, controls the State’s incomes and expenditures, even
though the work with the budget is dominated by the government. The
Government cannot impose a new tax on its own; taxation is ruled by laws and
as parliament is the legislator, thus it has the power over taxation. It is the
government that executes the decisions, but it is Riksdagen that supervises that
the laws are correctly implemented and the decisions carried out. For this
purpose, special accountants and Parliamentary Commissioners for the Judiciary
and Civil Administration (Justitieombudsman) are selected.

The Swedish form of government is a parliamentary democratic monarchy. The

Head of State is the king, but he has no authority in the governing of the state. It
is the government, Regeringen‐consisting of the prime minister and the other
ministers‐that governs the state and is answerable to the parliament.

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b) PRESIDENTIAL FORM
A Presidential system is a form of government where an executive branch exists and presides
separately from the legislature. The executive is not responsible to the legislature. Some
examples are: United States of America, Brazil, Philippines, and Nigeria.

NIGERIA: ROLE OF A PRESIDENT

Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, a former teacher,

inspector of education, lecturer, and
Environmental Protection and Pollution
Control officer, became Nigeria's second
university educated Head of Government, was
sworn in again on May 29, 2011 for a full four
year term, as the President of Nigeria following
his victory in the April 2011 Presidential
elections. Goodluck Jonathan is the third
President of Nigeria's Fourth Republic and the
Goodluck Ebele Jonathan
fourteenth Head of Government.

The President has the powers entrusted by the Constitution and legislation, including those
necessary to perform the functions of Head of State and head of the national executive.
The President is responsible for:
assenting to and signing Bills
referring a Bill back to the National Assembly for reconsideration of the
Bill's constitutionality
referring a Bill to the Constitutional Court for a decision on the Bill's constitutionality
summoning the National Assembly, or Parliament to an extraordinary sitting to
conduct special business
making any appointments that the Constitution or legislation requires the President to
make, other than as head of the national executive
appointing commissions of inquiry
calling a National referendum in terms of an Act of Parliament
receiving and recognising foreign diplomatic and consular representatives
appointing ambassadors, plenipotentiaries, and diplomatic and consular representatives
pardoning or reprieving offenders and remitting any fines, penalties or forfeitures
conferring honours

The features of a presidential system are:

1. President is the Real Head
In the Presidential system, the President is the real head. He is the head of state as well
as the head of government.

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2. Separation of Powers
There is separation of powers. The President is elected by people. Neither he nor his ministers
are drawn from the legislature. They are independent of the legislature. The head i.e., the
President has a fixed tenure. He cannot be easily removed from office by the legislature.

On the other hand, the President also cannot dissolve the legislature.
Further, the Judiciary is independent of both the executive and the legislature. It results not
only in separation of powers, but also develops a system of checks and balances in the
Presidential system.

The US system of checks and balances

3. Ministers are Accountable to the President

The President appoints his ministers (or secretaries) who stay in office during his
pleasure. They do not belong to the legislature. Nor are they responsible to it.

4. Stability

As both the President and the legislature enjoy fixed terms of office, there is political
stability. There is continuity of policy which leads to achievement of long-term goals.

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REARRANGING FEATURES

Some of the features of Parliamentary and Presidential forms of governments are mixed up.
Arrange them under relevant headings:
 The President elected by the people nominates the ministers.
 The ministers must be elected members of parliament.
Separation of powers
The ministers need not be members of parliament
The Head of state may be a monarch (queen/king) or an elected person
The government elected by the parliament is based on a majority and can be dismissed by
the parliament
Parliament elected for a legislative period, dissolution and early new elections possible if
a clear majority cannot be established.

Parliamentary form of government Presidential form of government

SEMI PRESIDENTIAL FORM:

The semi-presidential system is a form of government in which the President and the Prime
Minister are both active participants in the day-to-day administration of the state. It differs
from a Parliamentary system in the sense that it has a popularly elected head of state, who is
more than a purely ceremonial figurehead, and from the Presidential system in the sense that
the cabinet, although named by the President, is responsible to the legislature.

Some of the examples of the countries that have adopted Semi-Presidential form of
government are France, Sri Lanka, Russia, Zimbabwe, Kenya etc.

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SEMI-PRESIDENTIAL FORM OF GOVERNMENT

More than 50 countries currently have semi-presidential constitutions, starting with Finland,
which adopted the idea in 1919. The system spread slowly — by the end of the 1960s there were
only eight semi-presidential countries. But during the democratization wave of the early 1990s, 29
countries accepted semi-presidential constitutions.

Semi-presidential governments are especially prevalent in the nations which used the French
and Portuguese political systems as models. Most Eurasian countries also adopted the system
immediately after the fall of the Soviet Union.

Semi-presidential form gained popularity because it is a convenient option when there are internal
divisions between those who support the adoption of a presidential or parliamentary system.
When African and Eurasian countries were emerging from colonialism and authoritarianism, and
seeking to transition quickly to democratic government, this form of government allowed them a
quick compromise.

Some countries with semi‐presidential form of Democracy... Can you name

these nations?

FEATURES:
The features of the Semi-Presidential System
The head of state is elected by popular vote— either directly or indirectly— for a
fixed term of office.

The head of state shares the executive power with a Prime Minister, creating a dual
power structure.

The head of state is independent from the legislature, but is not entitled to govern
alone or legislate directly. Legislative policies must be routed through the

Government and the legislature.

Conversely the Prime Minister and cabinet are responsible to the legislature.

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SEMI-PRESIDENTIAL & PRESIDENTIAL: SIMILARITY AND DIFFERENCE

SIMILARITY: Both have a directly elected President.

DIFFERENCE: The executive power is divided “in half” under semi-presidential

form between the elected President and the Prime Minister selected
by the legislature.

3.4. Merits of Indirect Democracy

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The biggest advantage of an indirect Democracy is that the executive/legislative body is

controlled by the constitution and the laws of the nation. Personal whims and desires of the
representatives cannot work.

Democracy can provide for the change in the government without violence as power can be
transferred from one party to another by means of elections.

This system prevents monopoly of the ruling authority as it cannot remain being the
authority after completing its term, unless re-elected by the people. They have to make sure
that they work for the people.

The ruling authorities owe their success in the elections to the citizens of the nation and it
results in the feeling of gratefulness towards the people. It can serve as their motivation to
work for the welfare of the people.

In an indirect Democracy all the different factions of the society are sufficiently represented
and hence the sense of true Democracy prevails.
The judicial organ of a representative Democracy is independent and not influenced by the
executive or the legislature resulting in an efficient judiciary.
Indirect Democracy gives rise to a feeling of belongingness in the minds of the people
towards their society. They get the opportunity to voice their opinions by means of electoral
votes.

3.5. De-Merits of Indirect Democracy

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One of the biggest weaknesses of an indirect Democracy is that there is huge risk of
inefficiency and corruption.

The common masses may not be aware of the political issues in the society. This may
result in people making the wrong choices during election.

As the government is subject to change after every election term, the authorities may
work with a short-term focus as they are not confident of winning the next election.

In an indirect Democracy citizens may vote in favour of a party under the influence of
the majority and may not voice his/her true opinion.


4. ELECTIONS AND PARTY SYSTEM IN A DEMOCRACY:

It is generally said, "No elections, no Democracy."This saying is not without meaning. In

simple words, it denotes that without the elections a Democratic government cannot be set up.
One of the essential features of a Democratic government is elections. Election is the real
participation of people in Democracy, where the people participate in direct way to form the
government. Elections are the backbone of Democratic system.
An election is a decision-making process by which an electorate chooses an individual to
hold a formal office.
Elections have been the mechanism by which modern representative Democracy has operated
since the 17th century. Elections may fill offices in the legislature, sometimes in the executive
and judiciary, and for regional and local government.

4.1. Pre-requisites of a democratic election

a. Universal Adult Suffrage: Elections are said to be Democratic when the principle of ‘one
vote one value’ is followed and all the adult citizens of the country are given the right to
vote. This concept if called as Universal Adult Franchise.

b. Electoral Choice: In a democratic election, the voters should be given a choice between
candidates or political parties. Elections in a one party system cannot be called
democratic.

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c. Periodic Elections: Elections must be held at regular intervals to ensure its democratic
nature. One must remember, the interval might differ from country to country.

d. Election Commission: Elections can be considered democratic only when the voters
are not subject to any pressure or fear. There should be an organisation like an Election
Commission to ensure that elections are free and fair.

WORD SEARCH
While reading a newspaper, Kevin noticed a word search puzzle on the terms associated with
Elections, a concept he just finished in his class. Help him find the words in the following grid.

POLITICALPARTY
EDFMAJORITYEPR Political Party
BORGZCGTNVQIA
LARIXEVFORSOLU Representative
CAIDIDATEICDLZ
APBKQELETRIOBS Vote Periodic
HASTMHDWPCTNT elections Suffrage
PLCNOAVOBEBFS
KLJFCXIMHCLVU Government
GOVERNMENTEOD
FBTGZAQDPYCTA Majority
FYSKJTOGOETEPR
OMINEYWLINIHM
AHIUBNIKLRXOEP
GESENTATIVE
NWTEDODIQATEIC
S A H L K Y Z OF G S R I Q

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Elections are impossible without a working party system in the countries. Let us know the
concept of party system and the role the political parties play to ensure the success of
Democracy.

4.2. Meaning and role of political parties in a Democracy

Party system is a system of government by political parties. Sets of parties compete with an
aim to get the right to govern and to increase their power in controlling the government. Party
systems are classified on the basis of number of political parties in a country. Broadly, there
are three party systems:

PARTY SYSTEM

ONE PARTY :
Government or law -
making group that
does not have more
than one political party
at work. Examples are:
China, Cuba
BI PARTY :
A condition or system
MULTI PARTY :
in which two major A system where more than
parties dominate two political parties are in
apolitical unit. serious contestation for
power; alone or in coalition.
Examples are: USA
Examples are: India,
and Britain
Canada, Israel.

We understand that political parties are vital for electoral competition. But what are political
parties and what role do they play in a Democratic system?

A political party is defined as an organised group of people with similar political aims and
opinions, that seeks to influence public policy by getting its candidates elected to public
office.
Parties tend to be deeply and strongly ingrained in the working of a Democracy. They can link
the governmental institutions to the people of the society and are regarded as necessary for any
modern democratic system.
Political parties perform key tasks in a democratic society, such as

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Socialising and
educating Mobilising
voters and citizens into
Comprehending citizensin the participating Channelling Recruating
and expressing functioning of Accommodating in political public and
the needs and the political opposing demands decisions opinion training
problems and electoral and converting and from citizens candidates
Identified by systemand the them into general transforming to for public
members of the creating policies their government office
society general practical
political values policy
options

a. ONE-PARTY SYSTEM :SYRIA

Syria elects on national level a head of state - the President - and a Legislature. The
People's Council (Majlis al-Sha'ab) has 250 members elected for a four year term in 15
multi- seat constituencies, in which 167 seats are guaranteed for the National
Progressive front.( The National Progressive Front , established in 1972, is a coalition of
political parties in Syria that support the Socialist and Arab nationalist orientation of the
government and accept the "leading role in society" of the Arab Socialist Ba’ath Party,
(the biggest party in the NPF).) Syria is a form of single- party state in which only one
political party, the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party is legally allowed to hold effective power.
Although minor parties are allowed, they are legally required to accept the leadership of
the dominant party and are member of the front. The Presidential candidate is appointed
by the parliament, on suggestion of the Ba’ath Party, and needs to be confirmed for a
seven year term in a national single-candidate referendum. The most recent Presidential
referendum took place in 2007.

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CLASS-VII POLITICAL SCIENCE
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b. BI-PARTY SYSTEM IN UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA
Republican Party Democratic Party
United States in 1800 became the first nation to
develop organised political parties at national
level and to transfer executive power from one party
to another via an election. By the 1830s, political
parties were an established part of the U.S. political
environment.
Today, the Republican and Democratic parties are
the two main political parties in the United States.
Most elected officials serving as president,
congressional representative, state governor or state
legislator are members of one of these parties. The
Republicans and Democrats have dominated
American politics since the 1860s, and every
president since 1852 has been either a Republican or
Democrat.
In the 110th Congress, which convened on January
th
4 2007, the House of Representatives had 233
Democrats and 202 Republicans. The Senate had
49 Democrats, 49 Republicans. In a November
2006 Gallup Poll (a leading barometer of public
opinion operated by the Gallop Organization),
approximately 59 percent of Americans identified
themselves as either Republicans or Democrats.
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c. MULTI-PARTY SYSTEM IN INDIA: A
CASE STUDY
India has a multi-party system with dominance of
small regional parties. Political parties that wish
to contest local, state or national elections are
required to be registered by the Election
Commission of India.
All parties in India can trace their earlier origins
to the Indian National Congress. These parties
subscribe to the ideals of Democracy, Socialism,
Secularism and Non- Alignment.
The Indian political parties are categorized into
two main types- National level parties and state
level parties.
National Parties are political parties which
participate in different elections all over India.
For example, Indian National Congress,
Bhartiya Janata Party, Bahujan Samaj Party,
Samajwadi Party, Communist Party of India,
Communist Party of India (Marxist), etc.
State parties or regional parties are political
parties which, participate in different elections
but only within one state. For example Shiv Sena
participates only in Maharashtra, Telegu Desam
in Andra Pradesh, Akali Dal in Punjab, and
Dravida Munnetra Kazagham (DMK) in Tamil
Nadu.
SOME PARTY SYMBOLS
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GLOSSARY

Democracy: A government of the people, by the people and for the people.

Direct Democracy: A system in which people in a political community come together in a
forum to make policy decisions themselves, with no intervening institution or officials.
Indirect Democracy: An indirect Democracy is a form of Democracy in which the people
elect their leaders to the legislative bodies and the entire legislative body takes all the
decisions, makes policies and laws on the behalf of the people and society

Universal Adult Franchise: Every adult rich or poor irrespective of their religion caste or
education, religion, colour, race, economic condition, has the right to vote. Universal Adult
Franchise is based on the concept of ‘one vote one value’.

Federal: Division of power into central and state government

Petition: A formal written request addressed to an official person, or to an organized body,
having power to grant it; specifically (Law), a supplication to government, in either of its
branches, for the granting of a particular grace or right; -- in distinction from a memorial,
which calls certain facts to mind; also, the written document.

Popular Sovereignty: The doctrine that sovereign power is vested in the people and that
this power must be exercised in conformity with the general will.

Amendments: Changes; modifications

Legislature: Law making body

Executive: Law implementing body

Judiciary: Law interpreting/ adjudicating body

Election: An election is a decision-making process by which an electorate chooses an
individual to hold a formal office.
Political Parties: A political party is defined as an organised group of people with similar
political aims and opinions, that seeks to influence public policy by getting its candidates
elected to public office.

Uni-cameral Legislature: Legislature consisting of a single legislative chamber. For
example, Sweden.
Bi-cameral Legislature: Legislature consisting of two chambers for legislation. For
example, USA, India.

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REFERENCE AND WEB LINKS

 http://www.nytimes.com/books/first/d/dahl-Democracy.html
 http://www.activeDemocracy.net/case_studies.htm
 http://www.isn.ethz.ch/isn/Current-Affairs/Security-Watch-Archive/Detail/
 http://www.civiced.org/papers/articles_patrick_global.pdf
 http://www.justice4darfur.org/indirect-Democracy.html
 http://www.proconservative.net/CUNAPolSci201PartTwoE.shtml
 http://www.Democracy-building.info/systems-Democracy.html
 http://www.oup.com/uk/orc/bin/9780199298419/caramani_ch13.pdf
http://www.preservearticles.com/201106278674/merits-of-bi-party-system-and-
 demerits-of-the-multiple-party-system.html
 http://www.oup.com/uk/orc/bin/9780199298419/caramani_ch13.pdf
 http://www.egyankosh.ac.in/bitstream/123456789/26408/1/Unit-20.pdf
 http://www.Democracyweb.org/multiparty/israel.php
Initiative - initiative, referendum, recall, Pacific States Tel. & Tel. Co. v. Oregon -
 Process, Initiatives, Constitutional, Legislature, Citizens, and Direct - JRank Articles
 http://law.jrank.org/pages/18676/Initiative.html#ixzz1ZcIZ3J1r
 http://www.basiclaw.net/Principles/Direct%20Democracy.htm
 http://www.sovereignty.org.uk/features/articles/dirdemoc.html
 Google images
 http://www.buzzle.com/articles/indirect-Democracy.html
 http://www.foa5c.org/file.php/1/Articles/Indirect_Democracy.htm
 http://www.slideshare.net/bmtoth/direct-vs-indirect-Democracy
 http://www.basiclaw.net/Principles/Direct%20Democracy.htm
 http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/direct_Democracy.htm
 http://www.currentconcerns.ch/index.php?id=358
 http://venezuelanalysis.com/analysis/3967
 http://www.mathaba.net/news/?x=551835
 http://www.sverigeturism.se/smorgasbord/smorgasbord/society/government/parlamen
 t.html
 http://www.onlinenigeria.com/government/
http://www.america.gov/st/washfile-
 english/2007/January/20070109140913HMnietsua0.1988794.html
http://adaniel.tripod.com/parties.htm

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WORKSHEETS

WORKSHEET I

Name Class Section

The answers to this crossword can be found in the Unit. If you are having
problems, you can fill in the blanks below and find the words yourself. Have
fun!
D
E
M
O
C
R
A
C
Y

1. A president’s wife is called the first _

2. All men are created
3. To make a change or correct an error:
4. Paris of 1871 established city councils in Paris,
though for a very brief time.
5. Held to choose officials:
6. Right to vote is also called as
7. The first ever Democratic nation
8. Country where Democracy first flourished:
9. The council of male citizens in Athens

Direct Democracy is also termed as ‘pure Democracy’. Give reasons.

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WORKSHEET II

Name Class Section

Match the following boxes:

Referendum Mandatory and Obligatory

Pure Democracy A vote to remove a

public official

Initiative United States of America

Recall Direct and Indirect

Representative Democracy Direct Democracy

Differentiate between referendum and initiative.

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WORKSHEET III

Name Class Section

Complete the following table:

Presidential system Parliamentary system

1)
1) Examples: USA, France

2) 2) Head of the state is different from the head

of the government. The Prime Minister and
his colleagues constitute the real executive.

3) President elected by the people nominates

3)
the ministers (members of government).

4) 4) The council of ministers is collectively

responsible to the legislature.

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What kind of government does your country have-direct or indirect? What are the
parameters used to identify the kind of government? Make a list of these parameters in
the form of a poster in the space given below with examples of each.

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WORKSHEET IV

Name Class Section

Look at the above pictures and explain what they are trying to depict.

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WORKSHEET V

Name Class Section

Justify the following statement in 50

words: ‘No elections, no Democracy’

Unscramble the following letters related to the concept of elections:

FUGFEASR

TEOV

INLSCEOET

IANPRITAOCPIT

TELOREATCE

ESTIRUQIE

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WORKSHEET VI

Name Class Section

Write the strengths and weaknesses of the different party systems in the format given
below:

No. OF PARTIES STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES

None or One

Two

Multiple

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Identify and categorise the following into the three kinds of party
system: One party system; Bi-party system and Multi party
system.

There are too few parties for citizens to choose from


The public has almost no voice.

Party platforms must appeal to so many people that
party members can’t agree on core beliefs.

Parties have to work together to get things done

More parties have a say in government so everyone can
join a party they believe in.

There is no opportunity for opposing views to
be represented

Too many parties create divisions and make it hard for
the government to accomplish reform

The government can easily accomplish its goals
because there is no opposition

Encourages parties to create broad platforms that include
many types of voters.

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