Democracy is a system of the government where the citizens hold the ultimate power. It is a political system that enables people to freely choose an effective, honest, transparent and accountable government. It is based on the idea that people should only obey laws if they had helped in making them whether directly or indirectly.
What is democracy?
Democracy is a system of governing the country according to people's will. Free and fair election is the precondition of democracy. In a country where democracy really exists, all the people share equal rights of basic human requirements. They enjoy the rights of clothes , food, education , shelter , medical treatment and other facilities. Freedom of speech, press and religion are ensured. Abraham Lincoln , the late President of the USA defines democracy as "Government of the people, by the people and for the people." It signifies that in the democracy public opinion is highly recognised. This recognition is honoured through elected representatives of the people sitting 1n Parliament. In a true sense of democracy, the majority party forms a coalition with the main opposition party and works together. Good relations with the neighbouring countries, liberty of newspapers, free judicial system are the essential conditions of democracy.
Types of democracy :
There are two types of democracy- direct democracy and indirect (Representative) democracy. In a direct democracy the citizens of a particular country have the rights to elect and form the government having their choices directly. In an indirect democracy the citizens form their government through via media which means that the people of the state elect a good number of representatives who are in turn empowered to select their leader from amongst themselves to form the government.
Democracy in Bangladesh :
Democracy is thought to be the best form of government which ensures rights of citizens, good governance, rule of law and accountability and transparency of government. Today, in Bangladesh, democracy usually means an elected government made up of politicians voted into power by citizens every few years by citizens. Since it is the people who elect them into power, the government is liable for every action it takes to the Citizens and the actions should solely be in favour of the citizens. The people are empowered to choose among different political parties to form the government, In Bangladesh and also in most countries in the world democratic system of government is split up into three sections- the legislature,the executive and the judiciary. The legislature amends laws and makes new laws, if necessary, the executive puts them into effect and the judiciary makes sure that they are applied fairly.
Democracy in future:
Democracy has some disadvantages. Some people argue that democracy entrusts power to the Common masses who have no acumen to choose the right person the ote for, it is very slow in taking a decision and fail to rise to and occasion in emergent circumstances, it breeds malpractices corruption and so on. They think that the future of democracy is very black. But this is more imaginary than real. With all its disadvantages, democracy has stood the test of time. Through trials and errors, experiments and experiences, democracy will mend and amend and this will ensure it an abiding existence.
In a democratic country, people are free; free in enjoying their civil and political rights as human beings. This kind of liberty provides satisfaction for the people and help developing their mental faculties and thus paving their way for national progress. Therefore, in democracy the government works in a way which is beneficial to its citizens and so it is the system of liberal government which empowers the citizens to be he masterminds of a country.
Democracy will set us free