Democracy is a culture rather

than a process
Democracy: Meaning and History
Democracy, explained as a culture
Democracy, explained as a process
Essentials of democratic Culture
1. Equality
2. Educating people
3. Freedom
4. Liberty
5. Rule of law
6. Economic Freedom
7. Tolerance
8. Constitutionalism
Comparison of democracies around the world – what makes Westernized democracies
successful?
1. Westernized democracies – A culture rather than a process
2. Analysis of Arab Spring – Fledgling democracies
3. Turkey – flouting democratic norms
4. South Asian Democracies – more a process than a culture
Conclusion

Democracy is about equality: one man—one vote. Democracy is about empowerment:

empowering the masses to choose their own representatives. It is about accountability, forging
consensus, conciliation and discussion. But more than anything else, democracy is about
freedom: freedom of expression, thought, liberty and equitable justice. All these norms
formulate the system of democracy. It is not simply about elections and electoral processes and
voting procedures. To quote Abraham Lincoln: Democracy is the government of the people, by
the people and for the people.
Democracy is essentially an Eastern concept – with the recent researches that have revealed
Mesopotamia as the birth place for democracy where individuals collectively made important
decisions, often referred to as ‘primitive democracy’. However, the popularly held belief is that
Greece and Athens are the places where democracy evolved as an institutional framework.
Differences as it might be with regards to its ancient democracy, there is indeed a consensus on
the evolution of modern form of democracy. Glorious revolution in Great Britain paved the way
for modern democracy laden with the systems of cabinet, ‘rule of law’, equality of rights and
social justice. Whilst everything is being said with reference to its western posture, it’s pertinent
to mention that democracy if considered as a system of consensus was the part and parcel of
Islamic history and culture.
Democracy, when acclaimed as a culture means that it is rooted deep in a society. Democratic
norms of justice, equality, liberty and freedom are embedded in the social strata of any society.
It treats everybody fairly and in accordance with the law. It is not merely a system of electoral
process where people select their representatives and cast votes. It’s rather a complete social
and economic structure that a nation adopts, that becomes enshrined in their cultural, social and
moral behavior.
And democracy as process means periodic elections, occurring every four or five years, or as a
mid-term or a snap election, that amounts to giving an opportunity to the masses to elect their
own leaders. It serves to stabilize the system. It generates continuity and accountability. The
system and all its inherent institutions are strengthened if this process is adhered to in its letter
and spirit.
A democratic society is espoused by the feelings of equality. An equal opportunity to vote,
irrespective of one’s wealth, social status, cast, color or creed, materializes itself in the provision
of equal opportunity to every section of society. Noting that every vote counts in a contest, it
leads to the establishment of a just and equal society. A contender cannot rely solely on a
particular class or a group. In the present era when the world is mutating fast in disparate socio-
economic layers, it has become all the more essential to cater for the needs of those who lie at
the bottom of the rungs, to make them feel an equal part of the society.
Democratic culture is meaningless, if it not imbibes educating the masses. The flower of
democracy blossoms only when it is provided with the fertilizer of education. Probably, it was
the only reason that universal suffrage was introduced in the English democracy, in the early 20th
century, only after the system of free secondary education had flourished and systemized in their
society. An uneducated man is less likely to be hoodwinked by unscrupulous politicians. He brings
his intellectual ability come to play and thinks beyond his self or community interests. Similarly,
a glimpse around the globe will reveal that educated societies are more stable and harmonious
with this system, while the ones with low literacy rates, as that of ours, suffer from sporadic tides
of military rules. Thus, it could be said beyond doubt that a democratic society is basically an
educative society and a democratic culture is primarily a culture of education. And it is probably
the reason that democracies around the globe and that of ours too, are focusing heavily to impart
free, equality education to every child in its sphere.
Democratic culture is not consigned to providing education to peoples alone. Democracy in fact,
champions the cause of rule of law, individual and collective freedom, liberty and provision of
fundamental rights.
Democracy is a culture of justice. A society that adheres to rule of law makes no distinction
amongst its rich or poor, weak or powerful. Everyone stands equally before law. Only a just
society can claim itself of democratic. Thus we see examples in history when Richard Nixon, the
American president resigned on the espionage charges in the Watergate scandal when the
matter was brought before the courts. And in the recent times, we see one of our PM signed off
from the office for not accepting the rulings of the court. These varied examples indicate but
nothing that the culture of justice is embedded deep in the structure of democracy.
Impartial justice doesn’t mean that one doesn’t enjoy individual and collective freedom in a
democratic society. In fact, freedom forms the bedrock of democracy. Freedom of speech where
one can criticize the misdemeanors of the ruling government, freedom of media to act as a
watchdog of the governments’ policies and freedom to form a political union to present the
interests of a community, class or an association. Unlike communism which doesn’t appreciate
the individual freedom or struggle, democracy is the form of government that vies for the culture
of freedom in a society.
Moreover, democracy is about patience and accepting divergent views. True democratic spirit
booms only by considering various points of views. Suppressing valid arguments just because
they don’t conform to ones ideals and principles don’t find any place in this form of government.
How often we have seen that opposition and treasury benches come together in the face of a
pressing crisis when it hits the country. Personal and individual interests are subsided in face of
national interests. Opposition apart, they tend to work with mutual co-operation to steer the
country out of a mess whenever the need arises. A culture of mutual understanding and peaceful
demonstration is a key aspect of a functional democracy.
Many other noble values, like protection of one’s rights, socio-economic justice, and acceptance
to plurality form the culture of democracy. All these norms don’t come into life by merely holding
elections on regular terms. Balloting, casting votes, choosing representatives, formation of
election commission, and everything that forms the process of democratic government doesn’t
ensure the implantation of just, equitable democratic system. These values that actually
constitute a democratic system come after deep struggles and hard fought battles.
What makes England a successful democracy owes less to the process and more to the lesson
that was learnt by people after the ruthless rule of kings and monarchs. The freedom craving
nation of England couldn’t stand authoritarianism anymore. Thus when democracy presented to
them that alternative way where they themselves would be able to guard their freedom and
preserve their fundamental rights and liberties, they assembled around it. Thus, democracy was
born from within the society not something that was imposed upon them by some mystics.
As the political ideas care no boundaries, this system inspired the other European countries, a
spillover effect. People in Europe were fed up with the discretionary powers of the kings and they
craved for an opportunity to dismantle the crown. Democracy provided them with the
opportunity to make or break a ruler, which they gracefully accepted.
Since then, centuries ago, people themselves in Europe have become the guardians of their
rights. Recently, Arab Spring provided the same opportunity to the Arab world to become
custodians of their own rights and protect their own freedoms and liberties. But they couldn’t
make good use of it. Except Tunisia where democratic norms are seemed to be adhered to, rest
all the states resorted to the same dictatorial culture of the preceding dictators that they
replaced.
Islamist parties gained the ground in almost all fledgling democracies after the fall of dictators,
one after the other. Instead of focusing primarily to alleviate the people from economic
disparities that they had suffered in the previous regimes, Islamists vehemently pursued the
cause of Islamizing the state and constitution. Again, people suffered from the same curtailment
of freedom and now they are out again to topple the democratic autocrat governments.
All these states seemed too had forgotten that democracy fundamentally means ‘the will of the
people.’ The will of the people demanded elimination of income disparities, freedom of
expression and protection of rights. But the government looked the other way, carrying on with
its own agenda, turning a blind eye to the demands of the masses.
This phenomenon is not limited to the Arab-world alone. Recently Turkey is a case in point. Its
leaders have resorted to the same viciousness. First they tried to crush the peaceful
demonstration when it mounted in early last year. Then, recently, it has tried to obstruct the
corruption probe that has come to defame the government. The point is, democracy as a culture,
allows for peaceful demonstrations and impartial probes for accountability. Democracy is not the
will of the head of the state, it is rather an authority that must be exercised responsibly, and
within the norms that it reflects. This is where democracy differs from arbitrary rule.
In our part of the world i.e. south Asian region, democracy is still in its nascent stages, except of
course India. Here in Pakistan, democracy has recently started to develop its roots. But, it still has
a long way to go. Democratic systems have started to establish themselves, but democratic
norms and culture still have to find its place here. Dynastic rule, nepotism, impartiality in the
allocation of resources and blatant disregard to the rule of law are some of the chronic issues
that democracy of today suffers from within in Pakistan. Democratic process has provided an
opportunity in this regard and it’s incumbent upon the government to capitalize upon it and help
in fostering true democratic culture in our society that forms the bases of any democratic system.
Bangladesh is another country that where the ruling government has taken shelter of democracy
to hide its maliciousness. What’s the point in an election when it’s been boycotted by 18
opposition parties? Conciliatory norm of democratic culture was desired under this festering
crisis. Elections soaked in blood, violence and absence of opposition could hardly be a part of a
democratic culture. The process has been completed, elections and ballots have been held, but
democracy has lost. Advertently, the country’s economy is bound to hit a snag in the coming days
and months.
Quotes:
Franklin D. Roosevelt:
“Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose
wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education.”
John F. Kennedy:
“The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all.”
Mahatma Gandhi:
“What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans and the homeless, whether the mad
destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or in the holy name of liberty or
democracy?”