Question

Write a response to the following arguments against democracy:

• A. The army is the most disciplined and corruption-free organisation in the country. Therefore the army should rule the country.
• B. Rule of the majority means the rule of ignorant people. What we need is the rule of the wise, even if they are in small numbers.
• C. If we want religious leaders to guide us in spiritual matters, why not invite them to guide us in politics as well. The country should be ruled by religious leaders.

Answer 1

The correct option is B

Rule of the majority means the rule of ignorant people. What we need is the rule of the wise, even if they are in small numbers.

a)No, the army should not rule the country.

• If we consider the actual examples of different countries across the globe, the nations which are ruled by the army are not the most successful nations.
• In fact, there are a lot more problems in countries ruled by the army than the countries ruled by duly elected civilian Governments.
• Civilian Governments are elected by the people.
• If corruption is a problem, then it is the duty of the citizens of the country to remove the corrupt Government through elections.
• In democracy there is accountability, Governments are accountable to the people, hence the real power in a democracy lies with the people.
• Since civilian governments would want to continue staying in power, civilian governments will be motivated to serve the needs of the people.
• The duty of the military is to protect the borders of the nation, and protect its citizens from external aggression.
• If the military is made to run the Government, then they would be swerving away from their mandate and they would not be able to effectively perform either of their duties.
• The duty of the civilian government is to bring in social and economic upliftment.
• The Constitution of India demarcates the duties and powers of the different institutions in the country.

b) Democracy is all about respecting different kinds of people. Not all the people are the same.

• Whether a person is wise or not, let the concerned person take part in elections and win the elections through a well-defined electoral process.
• If the wise people are indeed performing well, the people will definitely vote them back to power in the elections.
• The powers and duties of different institutions are demarcated in the Constitution.
• The Constitution was framed by highly educated and wise people.
• The concept of democracy did not arise in one single day, it was the culmination of the experiences, pains and efforts of many people spread over different times and different parts of the world.
• Hence when compared to any other alternatives, in a democracy electing governments and rulers through elections is the best option.

c) No, it is not right.

• Different people follow different faiths and religions.
• Hence, it is for the better if religion and politics are not mixed.