DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT: THE UNITED NATIONS DEMOCRACY DAY

DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT: THE UNITED NATIONS DEMOCRACY DAY

WHAT IS DEMOCRACY? BY ABBATI BAKO,psc,UK

DEMOCRACY:

Democratic governance is a concept (idea) that emerged from the principles that are based on the understanding that an effective and vibrant system of democratic governance is one which is based on representative, equitable (across gender and other categories of people), transparent, accountable and inclusive institution/class; a vibrant, responsible and capable social media and a dynamic civic society. Democracy is defined by freedom of speech and assembly, free elections and a government resulting from such free elections, the separation of powers and the rule of law which is engaged in the political process.

There are different meanings of democracy all of them according to (Professor Kamilu Sani Fage 2002) can be classified into three general categories. They include:-

(1) Normative

(2) Empirical

(3) Normative – Empirical5

In this case, normative meaning of democracy refers to the ideal type of democracy which originated from Greek. On the other hand, the empirical meaning is the realistic type of democracy. The last type which is normative-empirical combines the first two together. That means it is about both empirical and normative aspects of democracy in the society.

Democracy is a form of government in which state power is held by the majority of citizens within a country. It is derived from the Greek word “Jynokpatia” (Demokratia) as popular “government”. “It was coined from synos (demos), “people” and Kpatos (Kratos), “rule, strength” in the middle of the fifth-fourth century BC to denote the political systems then existing in some Greek city-states, notably Athens, following a popular uprising in 508BC.

Even though there is no universally accepted definition of democracy, there are two principles that all definitions of democracy carry. The first principle is that all members of the society have equal access to power and the second that all members enjoy universally recognized freedom and liberties.

There are several varieties of democracy, some of which provide better representation and more freedom for their citizens than others. However, if any democracy is not carefully legislated to avoid uneven distribution of political power with balances, such as the separation of powers, then in the system the ruler could misuse power and become harmful to the democracy itself. The “majority rule” is often described as a characteristic feature of democracy. But without responsible government it is possible for the rights of a minority to be abused by the “tyranny of the majority”. An essential process in representative democracies is competitive elections that are fair both substantively and procedural. Furthermore, freedom of political expression, of speech of the press is essential so that citizens are informed and able to vote in their personal interests.

Popular sovereignty is common but not a universal motivating philosophy for establishing democracy. In some countries, democracy is based on the philosophical principle of equal rights. Many people use the term “democracy” as short-hand for liberal democracy, which may include additional elements such as political pluralism, equality before the law, the right to petition elected officials for redress of grievances, due process, civil liberties, human rights, and elements of civil society outside the government. In the United States, separation of powers is often cited as a supporting attribute, but in other countries such as the United Kingdom, the dominant philosophy is parliamentary sovereignty (though in practice, judicial independence is generally maintained). In other cases, “democracy” is used to mean direct democracy. Though the term “democracy” is typically used in the context of a political state, the principles are also applicable to private organizations and other groups.

Even though democracy has its origins to ancient Greek, other cultures have significantly contributed to its evolution. Places like as ancient India, ancient Rome, Europe and North and South America are among the few that have recorded democracy at its early stage. Democracy has spread considerably across the globe. Suffrage has been expanded in many jurisdictions over time from relatively narrow groups (such as wealthy men of a particular ethnic group), but still remains a controversial issue with regard to disputed territories, areas with significant immigration, and countries that exclude certain demographic groups.

Democracy is a particular type of political process in which power, its conduct and limitations are determined by the majority of the citizens of the state through established political institutions. Though the concept of democracy was recognized long time ago, its modern form in terms of representative or liberal democracy is of recent origin. Its emergence and development are associated with the decline and collapse of feudalism, mass population emerged from feudal economic and political bondage.

The values which have been upheld by this process of democracy include those of liberty, equality, fraternity and freedom. Those are the values that formed the basis for a new political process which involved mass participation. Therefore liberal democracy can be said to have emerged along with capitalism. One can also say that it is a particular form of capitalist politics built and sustained by the above mentioned values.

The main consideration of this political arrangement therefore is the participation of the majority in the act of governance of the state and its decision making process as well as control of the society.

Participation and control are done through institutional organizations which mobilize and harmonize people and opinions in order to influence or control political power. Some of these institutions are the political parties. Political parties are necessary part of democracy. But the existence of political parties does not necessary qualify a system to be democratic. Professor Tatah Mentan of the institute for Global Studies, University of Minnesota is an expert in political science and teaches courses on globalization and security studies, says “Democracy is about political choice fostered by meaningful political competition. In a democracy all partisan interest and ideological flavors have a chance to make their case to electorate. A well functioning democracy does not guarantee success in the political (or economic) marketplace.Rather; it does assure that everyone should potentially be capable of securing office”.

Let’s look into other opinions and analysis on democracy by world acknowledged social scientists.

A formal definition of democracy by (Holden) is that, it is:-

“A political system in which the people, positively or negatively make and are entitled to make, the basic determining decision on important matters of public policy6”

“On the other hand, substantive democracy according to Martin: goes beyond the formal trappings of democratic political system (such as multipartism and elections) to include such elements as accountability and genuine popular participation in the nation’s political and economic decision making processes”7 

For Karl Marx’s: “Democracy is a set of institutions that permit the entire adult population to act as citizens by choosing their leading decision makers in competitive, fair and regularly scheduled elections which are held in the context of the rule of law, guarantees for political freedom, and limited military prerogatives”8

For Mill, the ideal form of democracy is that:-

“in which the sovereignty, or supreme controlling power in the last resort, is vested in the entire aggregate of the community; voice in the exercise of that ultimate sovereignty, but being at least occasionally called on to take an equal part in the government, by the personal discharge of some public function, local or general”.9

“The minimal requirements of formal democracy are five (according to Professor Attahiru M. Jega 2007) 

1. Basic freedom guaranteed 

2. Existence of universal suffrage 

3. Operation of multi party system

4. Periodic free and fair elections are held

5. Governance based on the rule of law”

         THE TYPOLOGY OF DEMOCRACY

Political experts assert that, three types of democracy are in practice in today’s modern world. These are: “liberal democracy”, “socialist democracy” and “direct democracy”. For example, Nigeria practices liberal democracy, a similar democratic practice in America or what is called presidential system of government. 

For a true and proper democracy to be achieved in any society the above-mentioned requirements should be adhered to. Joseph Schumpeter “has posted that democracy is the institutional arrangement which seek to realize the common good by making the people decide issue through the elections of individuals who are to assemble in order to carry out their will”10.This means that people should be given their freedom to decide on the individuals who will lead them and its only through this means that effective democracy is said to be achieved.

In their analysis of democracy Schmitter and Karl are of the opinion that “democracy is a system of government in which rulers are held accountable for their actions in the public realm by citizens acting indirectly through the competition and cooperative of their elected representatives.” 

Dr. Anya Topalksky of Kent University, UK, opined that “democracy means;-   

Public-sphere>debate>

majority>free>forum>

individual>elections>

citizen>leaders>majority>representation

>minority’s voice/protection>legitimacy>

accountability and control>administration

> governed and governing>institution>

rule of law>equal>

no force and violence>agnostic (Greek word)>elitist playful between people>legalistic/liberal>discursive>neutrality/ common good> secular>referendum>constitution>consensus. 

Abbati Bako,MA,psc,bsis, Kent, mti,UK, Doc.pl.sc. (President/CEO International Political Resource Center IPRC Nigeria and Special Adviser to the Governor of Kano State on Public Affairs———