Democracy and Women's Rights Lecture Notes

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers key concepts of Indian democracy, women's rights, democratic institutions, types of democracy, and fundamental rights based on the lecture transcript.

Article 243-D

Provides that not less than $\frac{1}{3}$ of the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in every panchayat are reserved for women.

Article 243-T

Provides for a reservation of not less than $\frac{1}{3}$ for women in every municipality.

Right to Information (RTI) Act

An act that empowers citizens to request information from government departments, strengthening accountability and democratic governance.

Legislative Process

Involves deliberation, dissent, and representation within the parliament and state legislatures.

Electoral Process

Managed by the Election Commission of India, focusing on participation and equality.

Judicial Process

Ensured by the courts to uphold the rule of law, equality, and justice.

Accountability Mechanisms

Institutions like the Comptroller and auditor General (CAG), Central Information Commission (CIC), Lokpal, and Central vigilance commission (CVC).

Decentralisation

Involves rural and urban local bodies and people participation at the grassroots levels.

Checks and Balances

A system involving the division of powers between the centre and the state and the devolution of power.

Direct Democracy

A form of democracy where people directly participate in most of the decision making, such as in Switzerland.

Indirect Democracy

A form of democracy where people choose their representatives through periodic elections, such as in India.

Parliamentary Democracy

A system where people elect the legislature, and the executives are accountable to the legislature, as seen in India and Canada.

Presidential Democracy

A system where the President is accountable to the people, is elected separately, and is independent of the legislature, as in the USA.

Role of Media in Democracy

An integral part of democracy that keeps people informed and acts as the voice of the masses through channels like newspapers and social media.

Right to Equality

Enshrined in Articles 14-18 of the Constitution of India.

Right to Freedom

Enshrined in Articles 19-22 of the Constitution of India.

Right against Exploitation

Enshrined in Articles 23-27 of the Constitution of India according to the transcript.

Right to Freedom of Religion

Enshrined in Articles 25-28 of the Constitution of India.

Cultural and Educational Rights

Enshrined in Articles 29-30 of the Constitution of India.

Right to Constitutional Remedies

Enshrined in Article 32 of the Constitution of India.

Separation of Powers

The division of power among the three organs of government: Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary.

Legislature

The organ of government responsible for making laws.

Executive

The organ of government responsible for implementing laws.

Judiciary

The organ of government that interprets and protects the law; it can review amendments to ensure consistency with the spirit of the constitution.

Public Interest Litigation (PIL)

A legal action initiated in a court of law for the enforcement of public interest.

Democracy

A system of self-governance that involves people's participation in decision making at rural, state, and national levels; described as government of the people, for the people, and by the people.

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that ultimate power lies with the people and the state derives its authority from the people.

Rule of Law

A fundamental principle stating that everyone is equal before the eyes of the law with no special treatment for any citizen.