State Key Elements of a Democratic Government
Ever wondered how a country like India works in a systematic way and what are the procedures for the government to handle each and every citizen of such a vast country?
To know, let's discuss the key elements of a democratic government as follows:-
Democracy is a government in which power and civic responsibility are exercised by the adult citizens or exercised through their freely elected representatives. Individual rights and majority rule are the principles upon which democracy rests.
The government is entrusted with responsibility and power by the Constitution of India, to see that its laws are followed by various groups and individuals within the political, social, and economic spheres.
When people of different regions, religions, and cultures of economic backgrounds do not get along with each other then conflicts appear. To settle their differences, people use violent means which leads to tension and fear among them. This is where a government steps in such cases in any of its forms to bring the best possible resolution and to bring peace.
Ways for People to Participate in Democracy
There are various ways in which people in a democracy participate in the process of government mentioned as follows :
Developing and taking interest in the working of the government
Voting in the elections for electing the leaders
By making the government understand and expressing their views on what actions need to be taken in which includes dharnas, campaigns, signatures, and rallies.
By involving themselves in groups that challenge the functioning of the government.
Actions by Government
There are certain actions taken by the government that is mentioned as follows:
Banning discrimination on the basis of creed, region, religion, language, wealth gender, and caste.
Making special provisions for underprivileged people.
Making available the basic requirements for proper clothing, shelter, food, employment, and education for all.
Taking pecuniary actions if laws are not properly followed.
Obstacles like weakening reproductive rights, unequal educational rights, and gender pay gaps hold women back. These practices must be prevented at all costs for the financial and social development and the Nation.
Key Ideas of Democratic Government:
Ban on discrimination on the basis of gender, religion, caste, and creed.
Elections are to be held at regular intervals.
Equality and justice for all.
Resolution of the conflicts.
Providing people the right to vote.
Key Elements of Democracy
To understand the key elements of a democratic government there is no better example than our nation India. We all know that the elements of democracy in India have some essential features that are outlined in the constitution. Without these basic elements of democracy, any government, including that of India will fail altogether.
Some of the key elements in a democracy include people’s participation, equality, and justice, the need for resolving conflicts, and others. Further, we will understand the perspective of democracy from the example of a continent called South Africa. The Apartheid law of the country was racially discriminating against the black Africans of the country who were treated as slaves.
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Ending Process of Racial Discrimination in South Africa
South Africa is a nation that belongs to people of several races comprising the African-American population, whites who came and settled there, and Indians who came as labourers and traders. Previously, the country was governed by Apartheid laws.
The Apartheid laws divided the people on the basis of race. The South African people were segregated into African Americans, whites, blacks, Indians, and so on. These laws didn’t allow the people to mingle with each other, live together, and even use common facilities.
In the later part of the 20th century, for nearly over 60 years South Africa was in news for practising Apartheid laws based on racial discrimination.
The majority population consisted of the back people. The white population of the country followed a brutal policy with merciless suppression of the black community.
After several decades of continuous fights and struggles, the policy of racial discrimination towards black came to end in 1994. Nelson Mandela introduced the elements of democracy and was sworn as the Black President.
State the Relevance of Equality and Justice
The basic elements of democracy believe in the relevance of equality and justice for the people. It includes the following facts.
The government elected in a democracy has the responsibility of giving impartial justice and equality to all.
In a democracy, equality and justice are just the two sides of the same coin and are inseparable concepts.
Dr. B.R Ambedkar brings the foundational elements of democracy to India. He had a long struggle in fighting for the rights of the Dalits or untouchables.
He established laws that were meant to put an end to untouchability.
Democracy will cease to exist if there are no concepts of equality and justice in it.
Role of Democratic Government: The Need for Resolving Conflicts
There are basic rules that are laid down by the Constitution of India, which need to be followed by the government and citizens.
In a democratic country, problems and a clash of interests can lead to conflicts in the country. It can lead to disharmony and a riot-like situation in the country. In such a situation, the government needs to intervene through different measures to bring a peaceful and best possible solution to the conflict.
Conflicts can arise between two individuals or groups where they might feel they are not fairly treated or discriminated against on the grounds of religion, culture, region, organisations, economic backgrounds, caste, race, etc. The government needs to intervene and see that there is a fair address of the issue on both sides and solutions need to be provided to resolve the conflicts.
Explanation of Key Elements of Democracy
If you are thinking about what are the key elements of democracy then they are stated below.
In a democracy, the citizens get the equal right to choose the government through a fair and free electoral process.
There is the active participation of people through civic and political life.
There is a rule of law where all the laws are applied equally to every citizen.
It also ensures that the rights, freedom, and justice of people are protected.
Citizens should have the right to freely express their opinions to the government.
In critical situations, the government should have resolutions for ending the conflicts.
Peace and harmony should be maintained to uphold the concept of democracy.
Did you Know?
In addition to elections, there are other means through which people participate in democracy. Some of these are popular methods of protest where people conduct strikes, rallies, signature campaigns, and others. Moreover, to promote the voices of people, press and media houses also organise debates, highlight public issues and opinions through news channels, magazines, newspapers, and other agencies.
Conclusion
This is all about the key elements and responsibilities of a democratic government. Learn how a democracy chooses its government and what are its functions in detail to develop your conceptual foundation perfectly.
FAQs on Key Elements of a Democratic Government
1. What are the key elements of a democratic government as explained in the Class 6 Civics syllabus?
As per the CBSE Class 6 syllabus for 2025-26, the key elements of a democratic government are:
People's Participation: Citizens take part in governance, primarily through voting.
Resolution of Conflict: The government is responsible for peacefully resolving disputes that arise among different groups.
Equality and Justice: The government must ensure that all citizens are treated equally and that justice is available to everyone.
2. How do people participate in a democracy apart from voting?
While voting in elections is the most common form of participation, citizens can also participate in a democracy by:
Taking an interest in the work of the government and understanding its policies.
Expressing their views and criticising government actions through media, letters, or public forums.
Organising or taking part in peaceful protests, rallies, signature campaigns, and social movements to draw attention to important issues.
3. Why is the resolution of conflict an important function of a democratic government?
Resolving conflict is crucial because disagreements can arise between different cultural, religious, or economic groups. If left unaddressed, these conflicts can lead to violence and social unrest, disrupting the peace of the country. A democratic government has the responsibility to provide fair and peaceful solutions through its laws, police, and judiciary to ensure the safety and security of all citizens.
4. What steps does the government take to promote equality and justice?
A democratic government promotes equality and justice through several key actions. It establishes laws that apply equally to all people, regardless of their religion, caste, gender, or wealth. To address historical inequalities, the government also implements special programmes and provisions for disadvantaged communities, such as girls, Scheduled Castes (SCs), and Scheduled Tribes (STs). For instance, the practice of untouchability has been legally abolished to ensure social justice.
5. How are the concepts of equality and justice connected in a democracy?
In a democracy, equality and justice are deeply interconnected. Justice can only be achieved when people are treated with equality. If a system allows for discrimination against a person or group, it becomes impossible for them to receive a fair outcome or be treated justly. Therefore, a government's commitment to providing justice for all begins with its commitment to ensuring that every citizen is treated as an equal before the law and in society.
6. What is the importance of having regular elections in a democratic country?
Regular elections are fundamental to democracy because they make the government accountable to the people. By holding elections at fixed intervals (e.g., every five years in India), citizens get the power to review the performance of their elected representatives. They can choose to re-elect a government that has worked well or vote it out of power if they are dissatisfied. This ensures that the government's authority is based on the continuous will of the people.
7. Can a government be democratic if it does not allow all adults to vote? Explain with an example.
No, a government cannot be considered truly democratic if it does not allow all adult citizens to vote. This principle is known as Universal Adult Franchise. For example, earlier in many countries, including during the British rule in India, only men who owned property or were educated were allowed to vote. This excluded the poor, women, and the uneducated from having a say in their own governance. A key element of democracy is that power lies with all the people, not just a select few.
