Session 7: The term Democracy

   The term democracy is derived from greek words 'kratos' meaning rule and 'demo' meaning 'people' that initially meant 'many' or 'people'. This word is usually used in a positive sense but in the reading assigned for session 7 we came to know about different meanings given to this concept and different models of democracy.
 
   Pakistan has a parliamentary form of government and a liberal democracy in which the representatives of governments are  usually selected by multi-party elections. The concept of totalitarian democracy is quite fascinating as it refers to the situation in which the ruler tries to keep the people in this illusion of a democratic rule when there is no public participation in any form of decision making. Zia-ul-Haq's 'no party' elections and his form of government can be termed as totalitarian democracy.
 
   I agree with elitists' view when they say that governments are always formed or controlled by the 'ruling elite' and democracy or people's rule is a foolish illusion. But i disagree when they say that elite is working  for the well-being of a common man. In this respect Marx's opinion is more appropriate when he says that the 'ruling class' that has most of the productive resources and wealth controls the state but it works for its on interest and not for the well-being of people.
 
   In Pakistan there are  I guess '20 families' that are in considered to be the part of our ruling class and if we look at the condition of our masses then we reach to this conclusion that these people from 'ruling class' are undoubtedly working for promoting their own  interests. They are clearly not concerned with the betterment of the conditions of a common man.