International Day of Democracy

The International Day of Democracy is observed every year on 15 September. According to the United Nations (UN), the International Day of Democracy provides an opportunity to review the state of democracy in the world. Also known as World Democracy Day, the day highlights the importance of the participation of all member nations for the proper functioning of a democracy. 

As UPSC surprises aspirants with questions linked with what usually is assumed to be trivia; it is advisable that one must scroll through the facts about International Day of Democracy to get the basic information. It can be asked in UPSC Prelims from the section of current affairs, if at all asked.

Facts about International Day of Democracy

Read the below-mentioned facts and aid your IAS Exam preparation along with other competitive exams’ preparation. 

The topic can be asked as a Current Affairs Question in IAS Prelims. Visit the attached link to attempt practice quizzes on current affairs.

To read more about the other Important International and National days click on the link. Such days and events become very important for UPSC Prelims.

About International Day of Democracy, 2021

• The United Nations organises events on the day to spread awareness on the importance of democracy. Various demonstrations, discussions and exclusive talks are held on an international day to celebrate democracy. To commemorate the day, youth are encouraged to participate in various exchange programs.
• Theme of the International Day of Democracy for year 2021 was “Strengthening democratic resilience in the face of future crises”.
• In 2021 three essential elements of democracy were promoted by the United Nations
  • Freedom
  • Human Rights
  • Free and fair elections

Background of International Day of Democracy

• A Universal Declaration on Democracy was adopted on September 15, 1997 by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) after which the day came to its existence. IPU is an international organisation of national parliaments.
• Later, the day was promoted by many nations, in particular Qatar.
• Finally, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) established the International Day of Democracy on 8 November, 2007 by passing a resolution titled as “Support by United Nations system of efforts of governments to promote and consolidate new or restored democracies.”.
• The link between democracy and human rights is captured in Article 21(3) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Significance of International Day of Democracy

• Democracy is paramount for the protection and effective realisation of human rights. Hence, International Day of Democracy is important as it encourages governments of all nations to strengthen and amalgamate the principles of democracy. 
• This day plays an essential role to highlight the importance of parliaments, and to celebrate their capacity and mandate to deliver on justice, peace, development and human rights.
• Major elements of any democracy are Freedom, Respect for human rights and the Principles for holding periodic and genuine elections by universal suffrage. These elements also provide the realisation of human rights. 
• The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights contains all these political rights and civil liberties underpinning meaningful democracies. 

Also, read about the Features of Democracy in the linked article.

Features of Indian Democracy

India is the largest democracy in the world, with one of the largest voting populations in the world. Features of Indian Democracy are-

• Multi-party elections with universal suffrage, which are subject to age restriction only.
• Smooth changeover in government after elections
• Existence of an independent press and judiciary, and the guarantee of civil liberties justiciable in courts of law.
• In India, it is the Constitution that is supreme, neither the parliament nor Judiciary.
• India has a written constitution in which rights, freedoms and duties of a citizen are clearly defined, unlike various other countries. 
• Federal system with a little more inclination towards the unitary system of the government.

Read in details about Parliamentary and Presidential Form of Government in the linked arcticle.

Note: As UPSC 2022 approaches, use BYJU’S free Daily Video Analysis of The Hindu Newspaper to augment your preparation.

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