Question

Analyse the role of popular struggles in the development of democracy.

Answer 1

Popular struggle is integral to the working of democracy because:

1) It deepens democracy and ensures greater participation of people through meetings, processions making people more vigilant and aware.

2) It helps in the due representation as well as the accommodation of diverse interests.

3) Popular struggles help in mass mobilization which often re-instills the faith among the masses that a collective voice has a huge strength, enough to topple even the most oppressive of the governments.

4) Popular struggles often instill a sense of courage among the people to fight for their rights and be governed by the people who would take care of their livelihood

5) They have a long history and have taken place since the time of the Nandas when they were ultimately toppled by Chandragupta Maurya and Kautilya through mass mobilisation against the oppressive policies of the government.

6) The democracies of the modern day USA and France have their roots in the popular French Revolution and American Revolution of the 18th century.

7) Our very own freedom struggle is a great example of popular struggles can help topple even the mightiest of the colonial empires.