Democracy: Concepts, History, and Systems

Practice flashcards covering the meaning, history, features, types, and challenges of democracy as discussed in the lecture notes.

What is the etymology and literal meaning of the word 'democracy'?

The term was coined in ancient Athens in the $5^{th}$ century BCE from the Greek word 'demokratia', where 'demos' means people and 'kratos' means power, literally meaning 'rule by the people'.

How did Abraham Lincoln define democracy?

Abraham Lincoln defined democracy as 'the government of the people, by the people, for the people.'

In what year did Switzerland grant women the right to vote at right at the federal level?

Switzerland granted women the right to vote in $1971$.

What were the early consultative bodies in Vedic society where power rested with the people?

The early democratic bodies were known as the Sabhas and the Samitis.

What does the Vedic principle of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' mean?

'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' means that the world is one family.

Which Mahajanapada followed a republican system and was described in the Mahaparinibbana Sutta?

The Vajji confederacy followed a republican system and was known for regular assemblies and collective decision-making.

What is the origin of the word 'Panchayat'?

The word 'Panchayat' is derived from 'panch', meaning $5$, and refers to a council of five respected elders chosen by the community.

When did Indian citizens first get the right to vote, and what change occurred in $1988$?

Citizens got the right to vote on $26$ January $1950$ when the Constitution came into force. In $1988$, the $61^{st}$ Constitutional Amendment Act reduced the voting age from $21$ years to $18$ years.

What are the two dates associated with the Right to Information (RTI) Act in India?

The RTI Act was passed by the Indian Parliament on $15$ June $2005$ and came fully into force on $12$ October $2005$.

What characterizes a Parliamentary Democracy as practiced in India?

The executive derives authority from the legislature, the Prime Minister is the real head of government, and the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.

How is a Presidential Democracy, like that of the USA, different from a Parliamentary system?

It is based on the principle of separation of powers where the President is the real executive head, is independent of the control of the legislature, and the system uses checks and balances.

What is the difference between an Absolute Monarchy and a Constitutional Monarchy?

In an Absolute Monarchy (e.g., Saudi Arabia), the king has unlimited authority. In a Constitutional Monarchy (e.g., United Kingdom), the monarch performs ceremonial functions while representative democracy prevails.

Who was the military dictator of Iraq from $1979$ to $2003$, and what was his fate?

Saddam Hussein served as President of Iraq and was arrested in $2003$, found guilty of genocide, and executed on December $30, 2006$.

What characterizes the government system of Iran?

Iran is an Islamic Republic that combines theocracy and democracy; it has elected institutions but religious oversight by the Supreme Leader, who is an Ayatollah.

Which movement in Poland during the $1980s$ is cited as an example of people struggling to establish a democratic government?

The Solidarity movement.

What three major historical events are credited with boosting the spread of democracy worldwide?

(i) The Second World War, (ii) Decolonisation, and (iii) the collapse of the Soviet Union.

What economic challenge affects the integrity of democratic elections?

Economic inequality, where wealthy individuals can dominate politics and huge contributions to campaigns lead to expectations of favors, making it difficult for ordinary citizens to compete.