Introduction – Essay ‘Democracy’ is an analysis of functionality of democracy in the contemporary times of the writer. This essay is written by Dr. S. Radhakrishnan. It was part of the book ‘Kalki or The Future of civilization’. Writer explains in the essay that democracy is actually anti-democratic in its functionality in most of the world except few smaller countries like Switzerland.
Main Ideas
1. Democracy in peril – Writer starts the essay by stating that democracy is passing through a testing phase. Italy and Spain threw away democratic arrangement and dictatorship came there just before the World War II. Similarly many countries in South America were also witnessing crumbling of Democracy.
2. Governance is a technical art- Any government can be run by only those who are skilled in it. But democracy’s functionality doesn’t allow the same. It has been an option against autocracy but its own mechanism is defective.
3. Democracy is mechanical – There is a larger machine running in democracy. Representatives are part of this very machine. This machine is run by very few people who are at the helm of power. It may be interpreted as party or organization. Elected representatives work in the assembly or parliament according to the party. They don’t have their independent say on policies and issues. They are parts of that larger machine as the machine goes on they will automatically function accordingly. And in this manner it is attempted to standardize the thought which is contrary to the nature of democracy. Individual doesn’t apply or not allowed to use his insight and the highest level of creative outcome never comes out. Hence any sort of debate, discussion or decision making in the parliament is fake and paradoxically democracy we are experiencing is no real democracy.
4. Individual is not the priority- Principally it is considered that democracy is for individuals. Ironically individual is not in the center. Even the America or European countries which claim to have oldest democracy are having such groups who are acting against individual just on ethnicity, color and caste. Ku Klux Klan and Nordic assaults are prime examples of that. Individuals don’t have their say both in democratic and non-democratic countries. Countries like Russia who never adopted democracy do not allow an individual to choose about his career. They fit every individual into the larger machines according to the goals of few.
5. Ignorance, indiscipline and low taste – Democracy has become symbol of ignorance, indiscipline and low taste. People are literate but not educated. Their reading habits are proof of that. They love reading about murders, police and court. This shows the low taste of public. People do not apply their individual critical analysis while choosing their candidates they follow the crowd. Crowd has become the most significant factor in decision making. Crowd has taken place of authority and tradition as whatever crowd says is considered correct. People even do not criticize the viewpoints of crowd as they do not have ability or courage. In this manner they always remain ignorant.
6. Economic inequality and class discrimination – Writer is of the view that till we don’t have economic equality we can’t have political equality too. Political powers like labor, socialist or communist actually divide the country by favoring a particular class or section. It is required that differences between classes should be filled up for real functioning of democracy.
Writing Style – Dr Radhakrishnan has chosen to analyze real functioning of democracy. He has written this essay in analytical and descriptive manner. His intriguing style keeps the readers intact and substantiating his view points with contemporary examples makes the essay more easy and interesting.
Concern for own country – Dr. Radhakrishnan has shown concern for India too. He feels we are budding democracy and facing the issues he has mentioned in the essay. It is time for the public to be aware about the duties in democracy.
Conclusion – At the end writer says that for a healthy political environment it is required that independent minds should exist so they can play the game of thought and action.
Read my analysis on essay ‘On an educational reform’. Click here
Read my critical appreciation of ‘The Noble Nature’. Click here
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