Democracy can be understood as a philosophy and as a system of government.
Democracy, as a philosophy, is an ideology of human society and a way of political life.
As a system of government, it reflects the will of the majority of citizens in which the people exercise their governing power, either directly or through representatives, elected periodically by themselves. To understand the concept of representative democracy, we need to understand what democracy means as a system of governance.
The word democracy comes from the Greek words “demos”, meaning people, and “Kratos” meaning power; so democracy can be referred to as the “power of the people” In its simplest form, Abraham Lincoln defined democracy as the “Government of the people, by the people, for the people.”
In a democratic system, citizens have the right to vote and participate in government decisions through their elected officials, elected periodically by themselves.
Democracy as a system of government originated from the Ancient Greek city-states. The Ancient Greek model of democracy was the direct democracy which allowed for the direct participation of all eligible and qualified adults in the day-to-day administration of the state. Direct democracy was possible because the state’s population was small and manageable, and the government business was limited and less involved.
Modern democracies are characterised by high population density and complex demands of governance. In place of direct democracy, modern states practice representative democracy.
Representative democracy is hinged on the popular participation of qualified adult citizens who elect leaders to represent them in government. This is necessary since all citizens cannot discuss, deliberate, and make policies, the elected leaders who serve as the representatives are mandated to speak for the people, represent their interests, and account for them.
Representative democracy is a system of delegated authority, where people vote for representatives, who then make decisions on their behalf rather than voting directly. Elected representatives are accountable to the electorate for their actions.
Countries such as the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, and France are examples of countries with representative democracy. It is the most common form of democracy in the world.
Characteristics of Representative Democracy
The main characteristics of representative democracy are:
1. Free and Fair Elections
Representative democracy is characterised by regular elections, allowing citizens to choose their representatives through a free and fair process. This allows the people to vote against bad leaders or renew the tenure of good and performing leaders.
2. Existence of Political Parties
The existence of many political parties in the state enhances representative democracy. It involves a multi-party system where different political parties compete for power through elections.
3. Civil Liberties and Minorities Rights
Representative democracy allows for minorities to be represented in government. It protects the rights of individuals and minority groups, ensuring their voices are heard and their rights are respected. This guarantees the peaceful co-existence of the citizens of a state.
4. Accountability of Elected Officials
Elected representatives have a constitutional duty to be accountable to the people, and can be removed from office through elections if they fail to fulfil their duties.
5. Public Participation
This encourages civic engagement and public participation in the political process through activities such as voting, advocacy, and community involvement.
6. Checks and Balances
The system includes checks and balances to prevent the concentration of power and ensure that no single branch of government becomes too powerful.
7. Rule of Law
Representative democracy thrives under the rule of law and respect for the Constitution. The government is bound by a set of laws that are applied equally and fairly to all citizens. Therefore, elected representatives must be guided by the laws of the constitution, including respect for the human rights of the citizens.
Conclusion
Representative democracy aims to strike a balance between majority rule and the protection of minority rights, fostering political stability and peaceful transitions of power. Moreover, representative democracy stands as a resilient and effective form of governance, striking a balance between citizen participation and practical decision-making through elected representatives.
Although not without its challenges, this system remains a cornerstone of many modern societies, providing a framework for accountable and responsive governance.
Read here, Stories of Bravery and Hope for Democracy.
