Democratic Processes, Institutions, and Values

Civil Society:
- Definition: Refers to voluntary groups, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and community associations that function interdependently within society.
- Function: Serves as an essential structure for participatory governance, enabling public dialogue, community mobilization, and civic engagement.

Democratic processes, institutions, and values matrix

Legislative Governance:
- Process: Legislative Process
- Institutions: Legislature, which includes:
- Parliament (National level)
- State legislature (Regional level)
- Local bodies
- Democratic Values:
- Representation
- Deliberation
- Dissent
Electoral Governance:
- Process: Electoral Process
- Institutions: Election Commission of India
- Democratic Values:
- Participation
- Equality
Judicial System:
- Process: Judicial Process
- Institutions: Courts
- Democratic Values:
- Rule of law
- Equality
- Justice
Participatory Framework:
- Process: Participatory Processes
- Institutions:
- Media
- Civil Society
- Democratic Values:
- Debate and discussion
- Freedom of expression
Accountability Framework:
- Process: Accountability Mechanisms
- Institutions:
- Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)
- Central Information Commission (CIC)
- Lokpal
- Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)
- Democratic Values:
- Transparency
Decentralisation of Power:
- Process: Decentralisation
- Institutions: Rural and Urban local bodies
- Democratic Values:
- People's participation at grassroots level
Checks and Balances System:
- Process: Checks and Balances
- Institutions: Division of powers between the centre and the states, which is guaranteed through a written constitution
- Democratic Values:
- Devolution of power