1. PRESENTED BY
S. K. GUPTA
T.G.T. (S.St. )
K.V. No. 2,OFDR, PUNE

2. OBJECTIVES
1. Introduction to the difficult question of evaluating the
functioning of democracy,
2. Develop the skills of evaluating Indian democracy on
some key dimensions; development, security and dignity
for the people.
3. Understand the causes for the continuation of democracy in
India.

3. Why we prefer democracy
We felt that
democracy is better
because it
 Promotes equality among
citizens;
 Enhances the dignity of
the individual;
 Improves the quality of
decision making;
 Provides a method to
resolve conflicts; and
 Allow room to correct
mistakes.

4. EVALUTION OF THE WORKING OF
PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY IN INDIA
1. Dominance of One Political Party (Congress) for a long time- from
1950 to 1977,1980-89, 1991-96,2004-contd. ;
2. Social and economic Inequality – Discrimination on the basis of religion,
caste, creed and sex
3. Poverty – About 38% people live below the poverty line.
4. Unemployment – Millions of people are either unemployed or under-
employed. They loses faith in democracy and starts indulging in bad
activities like theft, robbery and even to sell their votes.
5. Casteism –Nomination of candidates by parties, voter cast their votes on
caste lines, formation of Govt. caste factor play an important role.
6.6. Communalism –Communalism –Leads to communal violence and riots which pose a great
danger to national unity.
7. IlliteracyIlliteracy- India’s 40% people are illiterate .An illiterate person has no
knowledge of his right and duties and so can not exercise them properly.
8. Multiple Party SystemMultiple Party System – 6 -National parties, 36 – regional parties , 612 non
recognised p.
20 political parties – NDA – Sh. Atal Bihari Vajpayee
24 political parties – UPA - Mrs. Sonia Gandhi

5. EVALUTION OF THE WORKING OF
PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY IN INDIA
.9. Election are very expensiveElection are very expensive -
10. Political Parties are not Organised on Healthy and SoundPolitical Parties are not Organised on Healthy and Sound
PrinciplesPrinciples -
11. Defective Election SystemDefective Election System – in 1980, Lok Sabha-351 out of 525,
but 42.6% vote- Congress partyCongress party, in1984, Congress party bagged
78.4% Seats but 49.3% votes.
12. Poor Quality of Legislators -Poor Quality of Legislators -
13. Lack of Free and Honest Press –Lack of Free and Honest Press –
14. Problem of Linguism, Regionalism and ProvincialismProblem of Linguism, Regionalism and Provincialism -22
recognised language in our Constitution.
15. Violence -_Violence -_ The two of our late Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and
Mr. Rajiv Gandhi became victims of political violence.

6. FACTORS STRENGTHENINGFACTORS STRENGTHENING
DEMOCRATICDEMOCRATIC
TRADITIONSTRADITIONS
 The Preamble
 Fundamental Rights and
Directive Principle of state policy
 Responsible Government
 Universal Adult Franchise
 Provision for Election Commission
 Rule of Law

7. EXTRA – CONSTITUTIONALEXTRA – CONSTITUTIONAL
PROVISIONS -PROVISIONS -
 Democratic LegacyDemocratic Legacy
 Leadership of great leadersLeadership of great leaders
 Awakening of the PeopleAwakening of the People
 Economic PlansEconomic Plans
 Faith in Constitutional MeansFaith in Constitutional Means
 Role of opposition PartiesRole of opposition Parties