Presentation on Democracy

8/4/2019 Presentation on Democracy

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Democracy and Crisis ofDemocracy and Crisis ofDemocracy in PakistanDemocracy in Pakistan

By: JamiBy: Jami ChandioChandio

TwoTwo DayDay Seminar onSeminar on Human Rights, Rule ofHuman Rights, Rule ofLaw and Democracy @Law and Democracy @ SindhSindh Resource Center,Resource Center,

QasimabadQasimabad, Hyderabad,, Hyderabad, SindhSindh, Pakistan, PakistanJuly, 24July, 24thth --2626thth 20102010

www.cpcs.org.pkwww.cpcs.org.pk


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PartPart--1: What is Democracy?1: What is Democracy?

Democracy is a political form of government carried out either directlyDemocracy is a political form of government carried out either directlyby the people (by the people (direct democracydirect democracy) or by means of elected) or by means of electedrepresentatives of the people (representatives of the people (representative democracyrepresentative democracy). The term). The termcomes from thecomes from the GreekGreek:: -- ((dmokratadmokrata) "rule of the) "rule of thepeople", which was coined from people", which was coined from ( (dmosdmos) "people" and) "people" and

( (krtoskrtos

) "power", in the middle of the fifth) "power", in the middle of the fifth--fourth century BCfourth century BCto denote theto denote the political systemspolitical systems then existing in some Greek citythen existing in some Greek city--states, notablystates, notablyAthensAthens following a popular uprising infollowing a popular uprising in 508 BC508 BC. Even. Eventhough there is no, universally accepted specific definition ofthough there is no, universally accepted specific definition of'democracy', equality and freedom have been identified as important'democracy', equality and freedom have been identified as importantcharacteristics of democracy since ancient times. These principlescharacteristics of democracy since ancient times. These principlesare reflected in all citizens beingare reflected in all citizens being equal before the lawequal before the law and havingand having

equal access to power. For example, in a representative democracy,equal access to power. For example, in a representative democracy,every vote has equal weight, no restrictions can apply to anyoneevery vote has equal weight, no restrictions can apply to anyonewanting to become a representative, and the freedom of its citizenswanting to become a representative, and the freedom of its citizensis secured by legitimized rights and liberties which are generallyis secured by legitimized rights and liberties which are generallyprotected by a constitution. ORprotected by a constitution. OR


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What is Democracy?What is Democracy?

Democracy comes from the Greek word, demos, meaningDemocracy comes from the Greek word, demos, meaningpeople. In democracies, it is the people who hold sovereignpeople. In democracies, it is the people who hold sovereignpower over legislator and government.power over legislator and government.

Although nuances apply to the world's various democracies,Although nuances apply to the world's various democracies,certain principles and practices distinguish democraticcertain principles and practices distinguish democratic

government from other forms of government.government from other forms of government. Democracy is government in which power and civicDemocracy is government in which power and civic

responsibility are exercised by all citizens, directly orresponsibility are exercised by all citizens, directly orthrough their freely elected representatives.through their freely elected representatives.

Democracy is a set of principles and practices that protectDemocracy is a set of principles and practices that protecthuman freedom; it is the institutionalization of freedom.human freedom; it is the institutionalization of freedom.

Democracy rests upon the principles of majority rule,Democracy rests upon the principles of majority rule,coupled with individual and minority rights. Allcoupled with individual and minority rights. Alldemocracies, while respecting the will of the majority,democracies, while respecting the will of the majority,zealously protect the fundamental rights of individuals andzealously protect the fundamental rights of individuals andminority groups.minority groups.


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Democracies guard against allDemocracies guard against all--powerful centralpowerful centralgovernments and decentralize government to regional andgovernments and decentralize government to regional andlocal levels, understanding that local government must belocal levels, understanding that local government must beas accessible and responsive to the people as possible.as accessible and responsive to the people as possible.

Democracies understand that one of their prime functions isDemocracies understand that one of their prime functions is

to protect such basic human rights as freedom of speechto protect such basic human rights as freedom of speechand religion; the right to equal protection under law; andand religion; the right to equal protection under law; andthe opportunity to organize and participate fully in thethe opportunity to organize and participate fully in thepolitical, economic, and cultural life of society.political, economic, and cultural life of society.

Democracies conduct regular free and fair elections open toDemocracies conduct regular free and fair elections open toall citizens. Elections in a democracy cannot be facades thatall citizens. Elections in a democracy cannot be facades thatdictators or a single party hide behind, but authenticdictators or a single party hide behind, but authentic

competitions for the support of the people.competitions for the support of the people. Democracy subjects governments to the rule of law andDemocracy subjects governments to the rule of law and

ensures that all citizens receive equal protection under theensures that all citizens receive equal protection under thelaw and that their rights are protected by the legal system.law and that their rights are protected by the legal system.


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Democracies are diverse, reflecting each nation's uniqueDemocracies are diverse, reflecting each nation's uniquepolitical, social, and cultural life. Democracies rest uponpolitical, social, and cultural life. Democracies rest uponfundamental principles, not uniform practices.fundamental principles, not uniform practices.

Citizens in a democracy not only have rights, they have theCitizens in a democracy not only have rights, they have theresponsibility to participate in the political system that, inresponsibility to participate in the political system that, in

turn, protects their rights and freedoms.turn, protects their rights and freedoms. Democratic societies are committed to the values ofDemocratic societies are committed to the values of

tolerance, cooperation, and compromise. Democraciestolerance, cooperation, and compromise. Democraciesrecognize that reaching consensus requires compromiserecognize that reaching consensus requires compromiseand that it may not always be attainable. In the words ofand that it may not always be attainable. In the words ofMahatma Gandhi, intolerance is itself a form of violenceMahatma Gandhi, intolerance is itself a form of violenceand an obstacle to the growth of a true democratic spirit.and an obstacle to the growth of a true democratic spirit.

(The following one(The following one--pager is taken from the U.S. Department of State publication,pager is taken from the U.S. Department of State publication,Principles of DemocracyPrinciples of Democracy.).)

Read more:Read more: http://www.america.gov/st/democracyhttp://www.america.gov/st/democracy--english/2008/May/20080609194207eaifas0.8688013.html#ixzz0rmaSUIPEenglish/2008/May/20080609194207eaifas0.8688013.html#ixzz0rmaSUIPE


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Democracy: Global StatisticsDemocracy: Global Statistics


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PartPart--2: Ingredients of Democracy2: Ingredients of Democracy

FreedomFreedom(of thought, believe, expression, Speech, Debate, Inquiry,(of thought, believe, expression, Speech, Debate, Inquiry,assembly, association, legitimate profession, movement)assembly, association, legitimate profession, movement)

Citizens RightsCitizens Rights(Human, political and civic)(Human, political and civic)

Majority not majoritarianismMajority not majoritarianism

(Majority rule with the protection of minority rights and(Majority rule with the protection of minority rights andparticipatory decision making)participatory decision making)


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Ingredients of DemocracyIngredients of Democracy

ParticipationParticipation

PluralismPluralism (Ideological, ethnic, linguistic, religious)(Ideological, ethnic, linguistic, religious)

Political TolerancePolitical Tolerance

Rule of LawRule of Law (Equality before Law)(Equality before Law)

Minority rightsMinority rights( religious, ethnic, linguistic )( religious, ethnic, linguistic )


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Ingredients of DemocracyIngredients of Democracy

AccountabilityAccountability

(parliamentary or democratic ways not through(parliamentary or democratic ways not through

discriminatory undemocratic ways like NAB in Pakistan)discriminatory undemocratic ways like NAB in Pakistan)

TransparencyTransparency

(Access to information, Good Governance)(Access to information, Good Governance)


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PartPart--3: Vehicles and Tools of3: Vehicles and Tools of

DemocracyDemocracy

Written constitutionWritten constitution

Democratic Political partiesDemocratic Political parties Parliament/assembliesParliament/assemblies

Free and fair regular electionsFree and fair regular elections

Independent election commissionIndependent election commission


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Vehicles and Tools ofVehicles and Tools of

DemocracyDemocracy Independent JudiciaryIndependent Judiciary

Free and Responsible mediaFree and Responsible media

Vibrant civil societyVibrant civil society Responsible citizenryResponsible citizenry

Continuous democratic processContinuous democratic process

Continuity of democratic discourse, political competition,Continuity of democratic discourse, political competition,

accountability through elections and responsible media,accountability through elections and responsible media,alternative solutions, changing leadership.alternative solutions, changing leadership.


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PartPart--4: Deficits of Democracy in4: Deficits of Democracy in

PakistanPakistan Lack of sustainability of democracyLack of sustainability of democracy

Centralism and Lack of democraticCentralism and Lack of democratic

federalism/federalism/ Week Constituent UnitsWeek Constituent Units

Week democratic institutionsWeek democratic institutions

Political parties, assemblies, conflict resolution mechanismsPolitical parties, assemblies, conflict resolution mechanismsi.e. CCI, IRSA, CDWP, ECNECi.e. CCI, IRSA, CDWP, ECNEC


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Deficits of Democracy inDeficits of Democracy in

PakistanPakistan Lack of equality among the provincesLack of equality among the provinces

Opportunities, development/HDI, distribution of resourcesOpportunities, development/HDI, distribution of resources

i.e. financial and natural resources which includes water,i.e. financial and natural resources which includes water,

importance in decision making at center, services,importance in decision making at center, services,bureaucracy, judiciary, representation in federal agenciesbureaucracy, judiciary, representation in federal agencies

Lack of democratic cultureLack of democratic culture


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Way ForwardWay Forward

Real transfer of power from militaryReal transfer of power from militaryto political institutionsto political institutionsDepoliticizing and ensuring transparency in militaryDepoliticizing and ensuring transparency in military

Sustainability of constitutional ruleSustainability of constitutional rule

Decentralization of centralist federalDecentralization of centralist federalauthorities through democratic andauthorities through democratic and

inclusive federalism based on 1940inclusive federalism based on 1940Lahore resolutionLahore resolutionAutonomous provincial constituent unitsAutonomous provincial constituent units


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Empowering and effective role of senateEmpowering and effective role of senate Effective role of parliamentary committeesEffective role of parliamentary committees

and interand inter--provincial institutions i.e. CCI,provincial institutions i.e. CCI,IRSA, ECNEC, CDWPIRSA, ECNEC, CDWP

Good Governance and Rule of lawGood Governance and Rule of law Responsive and responsible governmentsResponsive and responsible governments Respecting diversityRespecting diversity

Protecting language and cultural of all nations and ethnic groups ofProtecting language and cultural of all nations and ethnic groups of

PakistanPakistan


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Providing equitable social justice toProviding equitable social justice tounder developed and marginalizedunder developed and marginalizedregions, communities andregions, communities andnationalitiesnationalities

Strengthening of civil societyStrengthening of civil society

Empowering the individualEmpowering the individual


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Long Live DemocracyLong Live Democracy

ThanksThanks

[email protected]@cpcs.org.pk

www.cpcs.org.pkwww.cpcs.org.pkwww.jamichandio.comwww.jamichandio.com

Presentation on Democracy

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