Grassroots Democracy – Part 1: Governance
- Protection of Dharma:
- “The ruler protects dharma, and dharma protects those who protect it” (Mahābhārata).
- This highlights the mutual responsibility between rulers and justice.
Introduction
- Justice and Equality:
- “No peace without justice; no justice without equality” (Rigoberta Menchú Tum).
- Equality, justice, and development are interlinked for societal harmony.
- Need for Rules:
- In any community or group, rules are necessary to maintain order and harmony.
- Examples of rules exist at home, schools, workplaces, and public spaces (e.g., traffic rules).
- Function of Rules:
- Without rules, society would descend into chaos, making orderly functioning impossible.
- Governance and Government:
- Governance: The process of creating and implementing rules for societal organization.
- Government: The system or group that creates and enforces these rules. Important rules are referred to as laws.
- Adaptability of Rules:
- Rules and laws are not fixed; citizens can influence changes, much like how discussions occur within families or schools to adjust rules.
Three Organs of Government
Impact of Digital Technologies:
- Digital transformation has reshaped how societies function globally, including in India.
- About 30 years ago, people used methods like money orders and demand drafts for financial transactions, which were time-consuming.
- Today, digital means allow instant money transfers, eliminating the need for such outdated practices.
- Emergence of Cybercrime:
- The rise of digital technology has led to new types of crimes, known as cybercrime.
- Criminals use digital methods to steal money without physically committing theft.
- Governments have responded by passing new laws to combat these criminal activities.
- Role of Law Enforcement:
- Cybercriminals who steal money using digital means are tracked, arrested, and convicted.
- They face penalties such as fines and jail time for their illegal activities.
- Three Organs of Government:
- Legislature:
- Responsible for making and updating laws.
- This body consists of representatives of the people who gather to legislate.
- In response to new challenges like cybercrime, the legislature creates new laws or modifies existing ones.
- Executive:
- Responsible for implementing and enforcing laws.
- Includes the head of state (President, Prime Minister, or Chief Minister), ministers, and law enforcement agencies (like cyber police in this case).
- The executive ensures that laws are applied effectively, maintaining law and order.
- Judiciary:
- The system of courts that interprets the laws and determines if someone has violated them.
- Courts decide appropriate punishments for lawbreakers and can review executive actions and legislative laws to ensure fairness.
- The judiciary also checks the legality and fairness of decisions made by the executive and legislature.
- Legislature:
- Separation of Powers:
- The separation of powers ensures that the three organs of government (legislature, executive, and judiciary) remain distinct.
- Although they interact and work together, each organ has a specific role, preventing any one branch from overreaching.
- This system provides checks and balances, meaning that each organ monitors the others to maintain a balanced governance system and prevent misuse of power.
Three Levels of Government
- Levels of Government:
- Governments function at multiple levels: local, state, and national.
- Each level is responsible for specific issues, similar to how problems are addressed at home, with an electrician, or by the Electricity Board.
- In India, the three levels are:
- Local Government: Manages local issues.
- State Government: Handles state-level concerns.
- Central or Union Government: Manages national-level issues.
- Example of Flood Management:
- Local authorities manage minor floods in limited areas.
- State government steps in when floods affect multiple towns and villages.
- The Central government provides support (e.g., relief supplies, army assistance) during large-scale floods.
- Mottos Inspired by Ancient Wisdom:
- Government of India’s Motto: Satyameva Jayate – “Truth alone triumphs.”
- Supreme Court’s Motto: Yato Dharmastato Jayah – “Where there is dharma, there is victory.”
- Functions and Responsibilities of the Government at Various Levels:
- Judiciary:
- National: Supreme Court of India.
- State: High Court.
- Legislature:
- National: Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha (two houses) formulate national laws.
- State: Vidhan Sabha (State Assembly) formulates state laws.
- Executive:
- National:
- Led by the President (nominal head and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces).
- Prime Minister is the executive head.
- State:
- Led by the Governor (nominal head).
- Chief Minister is the executive head.
- National:
- Judiciary:
- Key Functions and Responsibilities of the Executive:
- Central Government: Handles defence, foreign affairs, atomic energy, communications, currency, interstate commerce, national policy formulation.
- State Government: Manages police and law and order, education, agriculture, irrigation, public health, and adaptation/implementation of central laws at the state level.
- Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam – A National Inspiration:
- Background: Born in 1931 in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu; a renowned scientist known as the ‘Missile Man of India.’
- Career: Contributed to India’s space and missile programs and served as the 11th President of India (2002-2007).
- Impact: Deeply connected to the people, especially the youth, advocating for education, innovation, and dreaming big.
- Inspiring Thoughts:
- “Dreams are those that don’t let you sleep.”
- “Failure is the ‘First Attempt In Learning’ (F.A.I.L.).”
- “To succeed, one must have single-minded devotion.”
- “If you get a ‘No’, it means ‘Next Opportunity’ (N.O.).”
- Dr. Kalam’s Lessons for Success:
- Aim high.
- Acquire knowledge.
- Work hard.
- Persevere to achieve anything.
Democracy
- Definition of Democracy:
- Democracy derives from two Greek words: dēmos (people) and kratos (rule or power), meaning “rule of the people.”
- It is the system of governance where citizens have the power to elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.
- Representation in Democracy:
- All citizens cannot rule directly; hence, they elect representatives to govern.
- Example: In a school, a class elects a monitor or representative to communicate with the principal.
- At the state level, representatives are called Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs).
- At the national level, representatives are known as Members of Parliament (MPs).
- Decision-Making Process:
- Representatives in assemblies discuss laws, problems, and solutions through dialogue and debate.
- They aim to convince each other when differing opinions arise, forming the foundation of democratic governance.
- India as a Representative Democracy:
- India is the world’s largest democracy, with approximately 970 million voters in 2024.
- All Indian citizens above 18 years of age have the right to vote in elections, participating in the democratic process.
- Direct Democracy Example:
- In a class setting, if students vote on a location for a picnic, the decision is made by counting the raised hands for two options (A or B). This is a form of direct democracy.
- Every student’s opinion is taken into account, illustrating participation in decision-making.
- Grassroots Democracy:
- Grassroots democracy refers to systems that encourage the participation of ordinary citizens at the local level.
- Citizens, especially at the base of society, are empowered to have a say in decisions affecting their lives.
- Key Features of Governance in Democracy:
- No country can function without governance and government.
- A modern government has three key organs:
- Legislative: Makes laws.
- Executive: Implements laws.
- Judiciary: Interprets and enforces laws.
- Three Levels of Government:
- The Indian government operates at three levels:
- Centre/National level.
- State level.
- Local level.
- The Indian government operates at three levels:
- Overall Framework:
- Democracy is the overarching framework within which governance operates in India, functioning through elected representatives at both state and national levels.
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