Defining and Understanding Democracy

What is Democracy?

• Definition: Democracy is a form of government in which the rulers are elected by the people
• Examining the definition:
  • Who are the "rulers" and how are they elected?
  • What does it mean for the people to elect the rulers?
  • Does this definition capture all the essential features of a democracy?

Features of Democracy

• Free and fair elections
  • Multiple political parties and candidates compete in elections
  • All citizens have equal voting rights (one person, one vote)
• Elected leaders make major decisions
  • Leaders are accountable to the people and can be voted out
  • citizens have freedom to criticize the government
• Rule of law and respect for rights
  • Government powers are limited by the constitution
  • Citizens have fundamental freedoms and rights protected

The Case of Pakistan

• Democratically elected government of Nawaz Sharif was overthrown by a military coup in 1999
• General Pervez Musharraf seized power, suspended the constitution and dissolved the parliament
• This was not the first time the military had intervened in Pakistan's politics
• Military takeovers have repeatedly disrupted Pakistan's transition to stable democratic rule
• Elections have been held, but the military has often wielded significant influence over the political process

Challenges to Democracy

• Military coups and overthrow of democratically elected governments
• Lack of true political competition and free & fair elections
• Concentration of power in the hands of a few, undermining checks and balances
• Weak rule of law and protection of fundamental rights

Importance of Democracy

• Gives citizens a voice in choosing their leaders and holding them accountable

• Protects basic rights and freedoms like freedom of speech, press, assembly etc.

• Promotes political and social equality, and empowers marginalized groups

• Leads to more responsive and effective governance in the long run### The Role of the Military in Pakistan's Politics

• After General Pervez Musharraf took power in Pakistan, he declared himself President and dissolved the democratically elected government

• Musharraf justified his actions by saying he had conducted a 'referendum' to gain legitimacy, but this referendum was seen as undemocratic

• Musharraf then made changes to Pakistan's constitution, giving the President the power to dismiss the national and provincial assemblies

• This allowed Musharraf, an unelected military leader, to consolidate power and override the democratically elected government

The Lack of Free and Fair Elections in Pakistan

• Under Musharraf's rule, elections in Pakistan were not truly free and fair
• Musharraf's supporters in the military and intelligence services exerted control over the electoral process
• Opposition parties faced restrictions and intimidation, making it difficult for them to compete equally
• The final decision-making power rested with Musharraf and the military-dominated National Security Council, not the elected representatives

The Situation in China

• China holds elections for its National People's Congress, a parliament with over 3,000 members
• However, candidates must first be approved by the Chinese Communist Party before they can run
• This gives the Communist Party full control over who can participate in the political process
• China's system cannot be considered a true democracy, as there is no real competition between multiple parties

The Case of Mexico

• Mexico has regular presidential elections every 6 years
• However, for many decades, the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) dominated Mexican politics, winning election after election
• The PRI was accused of using various "dirty tricks" to maintain its grip on power, such as manipulating the electoral process and coercing government officials
• This created an uneven playing field and undermined the integrity of Mexico's democratic institutions

Conclusion

• The examples of Pakistan, China, and Mexico illustrate how some countries claim to have democratic systems, but in reality lack free and fair electoral competition

• True democracy requires that the final decision-making power rests with the people, not unelected military or party leaders

• Ensuring democratic integrity involves safeguarding the electoral process from manipulation and interference by those in power.### The Decline of Democracy in Zimbabwe

• Zimbabwe gained independence from British colonial rule in 1980 after a long struggle led by the nationalist party ZANU-PF and its leader Robert Mugabe

• Mugabe and ZANU-PF won the first democratic elections and took power, promising to build a democratic Zimbabwe

• However, over the years, Mugabe and ZANU-PF gradually consolidated their power and eroded democratic institutions and processes

• They changed the constitution multiple times to increase the powers of the presidency and make the government less accountable

• The ruling party used various undemocratic tactics to maintain its grip on power, such as:

  • Suppressing opposition parties and restricting their ability to operate freely
  • Controlling the media and restricting press freedom
  • Ignoring court rulings that went against the government
  • Using state resources and institutions to unfairly advantage the ruling party in elections

• Despite regularly holding elections, these were not considered fully free and fair, as the playing field was heavily tilted in favor of the ruling party

• This transformation of Zimbabwe from a fledgling democracy to an authoritarian regime under Mugabe's long rule is a cautionary tale about the fragility of democratic institutions and the importance of checks and balances

Importance of Rule of Law in Democracies

• A key feature of a healthy democracy is the principle of rule of law, where no individual or institution is above the law
• In contrast, rule by law is when those in power use the law arbitrarily to consolidate and maintain their grip on power
• When a government ignores court rulings and constitutional limits on its power, it undermines the rule of law and becomes undemocratic
• Strong, independent institutions like the judiciary and a vibrant civil society are essential to uphold the rule of law and prevent the concentration of power
• The erosion of rule of law in Zimbabwe allowed the Mugabe government to subvert democratic processes and stay in power despite losing legitimacy

Role of Media and Opposition in Democracies

• In a democracy, a free and independent media plays a crucial watchdog role, holding the government accountable
• However, the Zimbabwean government exerted control over television, radio, and print media to promote its own narrative
• Suppressing opposition voices and restricting their ability to freely organize and protest is antithetical to democratic principles
• The active participation of an organized political opposition and the freedom to peacefully dissent are essential safeguards against the abuse of power by the ruling party

Definition of Democracy

• Democracy is a form of government where rulers are elected by the people
• Key features: free and fair elections, elected leaders making major decisions, rule of law and respect for rights

Features of Democracy

• Free and fair elections with multiple parties and candidates
• Elected leaders accountable to the people, citizens have freedom to criticize the government
• Government powers are limited by the constitution, citizens have fundamental freedoms and rights protected

Challenges to Democracy

• Military coups and overthrow of democratically elected governments
• Lack of true political competition and free & fair elections
• Concentration of power in the hands of a few, undermining checks and balances
• Weak rule of law and protection of fundamental rights

Importance of Democracy

• Gives citizens a voice in choosing their leaders and holding them accountable
• Protects basic rights and freedoms like freedom of speech, press, assembly etc.
• Promotes political and social equality, and empowers marginalized groups
• Leads to more responsive and effective governance in the long run

The Case of Pakistan

• 1999 military coup overthrew democratically elected government of Nawaz Sharif
• General Pervez Musharraf seized power, suspended the constitution, and dissolved the parliament
• Military takeovers have repeatedly disrupted Pakistan's transition to stable democratic rule
• Elections have been held, but the military has often wielded significant influence over the political process

The Role of the Military in Pakistan's Politics

• Musharraf declared himself President and dissolved the democratically elected government
• Musharraf made changes to Pakistan's constitution, giving the President power to dismiss national and provincial assemblies
• This allowed Musharraf to consolidate power and override the democratically elected government

The Lack of Free and Fair Elections in Pakistan

• Elections under Musharraf's rule were not truly free and fair
• Musharraf's supporters in the military and intelligence services exerted control over the electoral process
• Opposition parties faced restrictions and intimidation, making it difficult for them to compete equally

The Situation in China

• China holds elections for its National People's Congress, a parliament with over 3,000 members
• However, candidates must first be approved by the Chinese Communist Party before they can run
• This gives the Communist Party full control over who can participate in the political process
• China's system cannot be considered a true democracy, as there is no real competition between multiple parties

The Case of Mexico

• Mexico has regular presidential elections every 6 years
• However, the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) dominated Mexican politics for many decades
• PRI was accused of using "dirty tricks" to maintain its grip on power
• This created an uneven playing field and undermined the integrity of Mexico's democratic institutions

The Decline of Democracy in Zimbabwe

• Zimbabwe gained independence from British colonial rule in 1980
• Mugabe and ZANU-PF won the first democratic elections and took power
• However, over the years, Mugabe and ZANU-PF gradually consolidated their power and eroded democratic institutions and processes
• They changed the constitution multiple times to increase the powers of the presidency and make the government less accountable

The Importance of Rule of Law in Democracies

• A key feature of a healthy democracy is the principle of rule of law
• Rule of law ensures that no individual or institution is above the law
• Strong, independent institutions like the judiciary and a vibrant civil society are essential to uphold the rule of law and prevent the concentration of power

Role of Media and Opposition in Democracies

• A free and independent media plays a crucial watchdog role, holding the government accountable
• The active participation of an organized political opposition and the freedom to peacefully dissent are essential safeguards against the abuse of power by the ruling party

Definition and Features of Democracy

• Democracy is a form of government where rulers are elected by the people.
• Key features of democracy include:
  • Free and fair elections with multiple parties and candidates competing.
  • Elected leaders making major decisions and being accountable to the people.
  • Rule of law and respect for rights, with government powers limited by the constitution.

The Case of Pakistan

• Pakistan's democratically elected government was overthrown by a military coup in 1999.
• Military takeovers have repeatedly disrupted Pakistan's transition to stable democratic rule.
• Elections have been held, but the military has often wielded significant influence over the political process.

Challenges to Democracy

• Military coups and overthrow of democratically elected governments.
• Lack of true political competition and free & fair elections.
• Concentration of power in the hands of a few, undermining checks and balances.
• Weak rule of law and protection of fundamental rights.

Importance of Democracy

• Gives citizens a voice in choosing their leaders and holding them accountable.
• Protects basic rights and freedoms like freedom of speech, press, assembly, etc.
• Promotes political and social equality, and empowers marginalized groups.
• Leads to more responsive and effective governance in the long run.

The Role of the Military in Pakistan's Politics

• General Pervez Musharraf seized power, suspended the constitution, and dissolved the parliament.
• Musharraf made changes to Pakistan's constitution, giving the President the power to dismiss the national and provincial assemblies.
• This allowed Musharraf to consolidate power and override the democratically elected government.

The Lack of Free and Fair Elections in Pakistan

• Elections under Musharraf's rule were not truly free and fair.
• Musharraf's supporters in the military and intelligence services exerted control over the electoral process.
• Opposition parties faced restrictions and intimidation, making it difficult for them to compete equally.

The Situation in China

• China holds elections for its National People's Congress, but candidates must first be approved by the Chinese Communist Party.
• This gives the Communist Party full control over who can participate in the political process.
• China's system cannot be considered a true democracy, as there is no real competition between multiple parties.

The Case of Mexico

• Mexico has regular presidential elections every 6 years, but the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) dominated Mexican politics for many decades.
• The PRI was accused of using various "dirty tricks" to maintain its grip on power, such as manipulating the electoral process and coercing government officials.
• This created an uneven playing field and undermined the integrity of Mexico's democratic institutions.

Explore the definition and features of democracy, including free and fair elections, and what it means for the people to elect their rulers.