People’s power - Concepts - Chapter 1 Class 7 Political Science - Democracy - Political Science

People’s power

• According to the  Abraham Lincoln , Democracy is a government of the people, by the people and for the people.
  
  
• The supreme power lies with the people, who participate in the governance directly or indirectly through elections and public opinion
  
  
• The elected representatives form and run the government on behalf of the people and are accountable to them
  
  
• The rule of law ensures that all are equal before the law and no one is above it
  
  
• The rule of law also protects individuals against social evils and discrimination
  
  
• The laws are made by the people or their representatives in a democracy

Democracy as a form of society and economy

• Democracy is not just a form of government, but also a form of society and economy.
  
  
• The values of democracy such as justice , freedom and human dignity should be embedded in the social and economic life of the people.
  
  
• The granting of the right to vote is not enough to establish democracy, there should be a democratic society and an economic democracy to make it meaningful

Democratic society

• Democratic society means no discrimination of any kind on the basis of religion, caste, race or place of birth.
  
  
• Democratic society should remove social evils like the caste system and untouchability that divide and deprive people of their basic rights.
  
  
• Democratic society should treat all men and women equally.
  
  
• Democratic society is necessary for a democratic government to be meaningful.
  
  
• Democratic society is a society where the people have the rights and freedoms to express their views and opinions, and to pursue their interests and goals.
  
  
• Democratic society is a society where the people have the responsibility and duty to obey the law, to respect the rights and freedoms of others, and to contribute to the common good of everyone.
  
  
• Democratic society is a society where the people have the opportunity and access to education, health care, justice, and other public services.

Economic democracy

• Economic democracy means equal economic opportunities.
  
  
• It means  that all should have equal opportunities   to be employed or to set up their own businesses.
  
  
• Economic democracy means absence of all exploitation , such as workers by owners or peasants by landlords.
  
  
• Economic democracy means equal wages for equal work and no distinction between men and women.
  
  
• Economic democracy means fair distribution of wealth in the society and no concentration of wealth in the hands of a few.
  
  
• Democracy is based on two important principles: liberty and equality.
  
  
• Economic democracy ensures individual freedom and equal opportunities for economic growth.
  
  
• Economic democracy is necessary for a democratic government to be meaningful.