Question

Consider the following facts about a country and decide if you would call it a democracy. Give reasons to support your decision. 

(a) All the citizens of the country have right to vote. Elections are held regularly.

(b) The country took loan from international agencies. One of the conditions for giving loan was that the government would reduce its expenses on education and health.

(c) People speak more than seven languages but education is available only in one language, the language spoken by 52 percent people of that country. 

(d) Several organisations have given a call for peaceful demonstrations and nationwide strikes in the country to oppose these policies. Government has arrested these leaders.

(e) The government owns the radio and television in the country. All the newspapers have to get permission from the government to publish any news about government’s policies and protests

Answer 1

(a) Regular elections and universal adult franchise are two important features of a democracy and hence this is a democratic situation.

(b) An international agency should not interfere in the internal matters of a country. Hence this is undemocratic.

(c) This is an example where majority view is being imposed and hence is undemocratic.

(d) Democratic government should provide the right to protest. The government is denying such right to its citizens and hence is undemocratic.

(e) Freedom of media is very important for a democracy. This is an undemocratic example.