- The common form adopted by democracy is a representative democracy. In democratic countries, all people do not rule. A majority is allowed to take decisions on behalf of all the people through their elected representatives. This has become necessary for the reasons given below:
- Modern democracies involve such a large number of people that it is physically impossible for them to sit together and take a collective decision.
- Even if they could, the citizen does not have the time , the desire, or the skills to take part in all the decisions.
- Democracy, as a principle, can go beyond the government and can be applied to any sphere of life.
- People use the word d emocracy not to describe any existing government but to set up an ideal standard that all democracies must aim to become.
- However, if the ideals of democracy are considered then no country in the world is correctly democratic.
- Still, having an understanding of democracy as an ideal will explain why to value democracy. It enables people to judge an existing democracy and identify its weaknesses.
- It also helps to distinguish between a minimal democracy and a good democracy.
- The most common form of democracy in today’s world is being ruled by people’s elected representatives.
- However, for a small community, there can be other ways of making democratic decisions. All people can sit together and make decisions directly. This is how the Gram Sabha should work in a village.