Key Elements of Democratic Government

In a democratic government either people rule themselves or they are ruled by their elected representatives. The real power is in the hands of the people. In a dictatorial form of government, all the governmental powers are vested in the hand of one person or political party. People are not given permission to take part in the working and decision making of the government.

Justice is defined as social, economic and political. Social justice implies that all citizens are treated equally irrespective of their status in society as a result of the accident of birth, race, caste, religion, sex, title etc. However the state may make provisions for the advancement of socially and economically backward classes of citizens.

People’s participation can be understood as the participation of people in governance through elections and other means such as rallies, processions, signature campaigns etc. People participate by taking an interest in the working of the government and criticising it when required. By participating, people express their opinions and public opinion thus created is very essential in a democracy. Conflicts arise when the interest of the people of different cultures, religions, regions or economic background contradict. For example, river can be a source of conflict like the Cauvery River dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.