FEATURES NEWS THE RISING NEPAL (DAILY)

By Shirish B. Pradhan

DEMOCRACY is not only just the result of a revolution, it is an ongoing process of evolution. After passing through thousands of years of voyage of struggles and compromises the modern democratic system of governance evolved. Today's modern democracy has its origin in the ancient Greek and Roman city-states. Democracies of the ancient Greece and Rome were infant in nature, in which slaves and women did not enjoy the voting rights.

Direct

The ancient city-state democracy was also called direct democracy as people could speak and vote in small assemblies in a direct manner. They were also unaware of the present day representative forms of government. As the population grew and societies became more and more complex adjustments had to be made in the electoral system and representative forms of government came into being.

The word democracy was derived from the Greek word "Demos-Cratein". In Greek demos means the people and cratein means to rule. Thus, democracy is the type of political system in which the people rule through the form of government they choose to establish. In modern democracies, supreme authority is exercised for the most part by the representatives elected by popular votes. Here we may recall the popular statement by Abraham Lincoln: Democracy is a form of government for the people, of the people, by the people.

Democracy is today known as the best form of government. Even dictators of the modern times rule under the cover of democracy, giving decorative names like "guided" democracy, "basic" democracy or any other form of attractive decoration. But, democracy like gold does not require any cover. Democracy is practiced today in almost three fourth of the countries in the world. Between 1974 and 1999 multiparty democracy was introduced in 113 countries, according to the Human Development Report 2000. Out of nearly 200 countries of the world about 40 countries do not have a multiparty electoral system.

The present day democracy is purely an European phenomena. In Asia, and particularly in South Asia sub-continent, democracy is relatively a new concept. In ancient times, we also had Rama Rajya, which may be called as a kind of welfare state often ruled by a merciful king. The ancient time monarchs used to take care of their people like a father. They waited until all of their countrymen would eat and sacrificed their personal pleasure and happiness for the welfare of their countrymen. In Nepal also, during the Malla period, there were Kings who did not eat until and unless all of the countrymen did so. Now due to the growth of population and complexity of other problems, we get to see different societies, especially the western democracies, which have replaced absolute monarchy and other forms of dictatorial rule the world over.

The power struggle between monarchy and the people that ultimately led to the concept of the modern democracy, can be attributed to the thirteenth century Magna Carta granted seal, by King of Britain John. The King issuing the seal accepted in writing to provide certain rights to the people. Declaration of Magna Carta in 1215 by King John of England limiting power of the monarchy, is the first written document that gives certain rights to the representatives of the people. Through Magna Carta the King of England granted two important things: access to justice to all without any discrimination and pursuing legal procedure before punishing anybody.

The Petition of Rights of 1628 is another milestone in the history of modern democracy. The Parliament of England at that time issued the Petition of Rights addressed to the King Charles I demanding that the King desist from levying taxes without the consent of parliament. The first popular rebellion against the King of England took place in 1642, when Charles I was executed. This had resulted in establishment of democratic governments in Europe.

In 1679 the Parliament of England adopted Habeas Corpus Act, prohibiting imprisonment of citizens without just cause. The act provides people protection against arbitrary imprisonment. The struggle of independence of the United States of America in the late 18th century was another important event in the history of democracy. The USA with its 13 states attained independence from England within 1776. The French Revolution of 1789, which resulted in declaration of the Rights of Man and that of Citizen, is another landmark in the history of democratic struggle.

By the end of the 19th century almost all countries in west Europe adopted a constitution limiting power of the monarch and giving a considerable share of political power to the people's representatives. British, French and American democratic systems act as model to the present day democracies in the world.

Today's cabinet system of ministry has its origin in the 15th century, when the King had an advisory council to advice him on matters relating to governance. The members of the King's advisory council or privy council used to meet regularly in King's chamber or cabinet. Therefore, it was later called cabinet council or council of ministers. In the 18th century when the centre of governmental power shifted from monarch to Parliament, the cabinet became the council of the most important ministers of the government or the Prime Minister.

The 20th century became the century of freedom, democracy and human rights. Colonial rules ended and countries moved towards greater freedom, democratic rights and human rights during the century. The communist ideology dominated the world nearly for three quarters in the 20th country. After the collapse of Soviet Union Communist rule ended in the entire eastern Europe and the rest of the world and its remains can be seen only in a few countries.

Certain countries including the Seandinavians (which include Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland and Finland) are adopting social democracy. Tnder the political system of social democracy, a degree of socialism is prevalent but without ignoring such values as private property and representative government.

In 1948 the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations affirming the dignity and rights of all human beings. The rights prescribed in the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights mainly include right to life, liberty, security, freedom of conscience, religion, opinion, expression, association, freedom from arbitrary arrest, protection against any form of discrimination.

In the 21st century democracy, freedom, liberalism, and human rights have become even more relevant. In this era of globalisation, new approaches are required to achieve universal relisation of human rights and individual freedom.

Vision

To achieve the visions contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted half a century back, we should pursue the goal of all rights for all people in all countries. Today's new technologies and more open societies provide greater opportunities for building worldwide partnerships to launch fight against discrimination, economic and political exploitation and suppression to achieve greater freedom, liberty and development for all mankind.

Other Stories