Is democracy actually what it claims to be or is it a mere
illusion created by politicians and the “actual rulers” to keep the people from
revolting and overthrowing the system? It is safe to say that the democracy we
are taught in textbooks is very different from the democracy that is currently
practiced around the world. Real democracy was only practiced in the ancient
city of Athens and its present form is a poor attempt at replication. Popularly
elected politicians are subject to severe constraints imposed on it by a
sprawling bureaucratic machine. The bureaucracy is an unelected ever-expanding
organisation that is responsible for the day to day running of the country and
thus a major force in policy making.
Another problem with democracy is its susceptibility to
capitalist pressures. Large corporations play a major role in influencing
policy, their ability to exert a commanding role on the state stems from the
sheer amount of cash they hold and their importance in the national economy, as
opposed to the ordinary individual who has no such means.
1 comment:
even though the successful transition of Pakistan's government towards democracy over the past years is seen as a sign of prospering democracy, i would agree with you in questioning the democracy in our text books versus the one in practice. The only way we can stop the large groups; business men, bureaucrats and the landed elite is by fostering a political culture through which people can make informed decisions. If democracy has to flourish, people first need the knowledge of what is best in the national interest rather than looking within their constrained societies.
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