Challenges to Democracy
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How did you like this exercise? Was it enjoyable? Very demanding? A little frustrating? And a little scary ? Are you a little resentful that the textbook did not help you in this crucial task? Are you worried that your definition may not be ‘correct’?

 • How did I like this exercise:
I liked this exercise very much.
• Was it enjoyable?
It is enjoyable because we have been asked to give a good definition of democracy. We have read in different chapters of the book about democracy.
• Very demanding? It is not very demanding because definition and features of democracy are very easy.
• A little frustrating? It is not at all frustrating. I am habitual to live in democratic country and Indian democracy is the largest democracy in the world.
• And a little scary?: Our democracy is not a scary. India is an indirect democracy and there are opened wide gates for criticising the government.
• Are you a little resentful that the text book did not help in this crucial task?
No, not at all. Text book is very good. It has dealt systematically the topics on democracy in seven chapters.
• Are you worried that your definition may not be ‘correct’?: Such apprehension does not arise because I am a confident student without wavering mind.

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    Features (use only as many points as you want. Try to compress it in as few points as possible)
    Answer
    Here are some challenges that require political reforms. Discuss these challenges in detail. Study the reform options offered here and give your preferred solutions with reasons. Remember that none of the options offered here is right or wrong. You can opt for a mix of more than one option, or come up with same thing that is not offered here. But you must give your solution in details and after reasons for your choice.

    Doctors’ absenteeism

    Political funding

    Challenge:
    Uttar Pradesh government got a survey done and found out that most of the doctors posted in the rural primary health centres are simply not there. They live in a town, carry out private practice and visit the village where they are posted only once or twice in the entire month. Villagers have to travel to towns and pay very high fee to private doctors even for common ailments.


    Reform proposals:
    • The government should make it compulsory for the doctors to live in the village where they are posted, otherwise their service should be terminated.

    • District administration and police should carry out surprise raids to check the attendance of the doctors.

    • Village Panchayat should be given the power to write the annual report of the doctor which should be read out in the gram sabha meeting.

    • Problems like this can be solved only if Uttar Pradesh is split into several smaller states which can be administered more efficiently.

    Challenge:
    On an average, every candidate who contested the last Lok Sabha elections owned a property of more than Rs. 1 crore. There is a fear that only wealthy people or those with their support can afford to fight elections. Most of the political parties are dependent on money given by big business houses. The worry is that the role of money in politics will reduce whatever little voice the poor have in our democracy.

    Reform proposals:

    • The financial accounts of every political party should be made public. These accounts should be examined by government auditors.

    • There should be state funding of elections. Parties should be given some money by the government to meet their election expenditure.

    • Citizens should be encouraged to give more donations to parties and to political workers. Such donations should be exempted from income tax.

     
    Answer
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