Democracy SS3 Civic Education Lesson Note

Meaning of Democracy 

According to Abraham Lincoln, democracy is the government of the people, by the people and for the people. This is the system of government in which people exercise their political power through periodic election of leaders by themselves or their representatives. The word democracy was traceable to ancient Greece. The word DEMO and KRATIA which form democracy means people and government. 

Characteristics of Democracy 

1. Regular and periodic election: Democracy gives room for periodic elections so as to elect new leaders. 
2. Fundamental human right: Democracy guarantees and respects the human right as stated in the constitution. 
3. Party system: This system of government allows different political party systems to compete for power during elections. 
4. Freedom of the press: Under democratic system of government all the media houses are free to express their opinions and feelings through writing or any means. 
5. The judicial arm of government is independent and free of other arms of government 6. Rule of law: there is equality before the law; no one is above the law under democratic system of government.  

Types of Democracy

There are two types of Democracy, which are 

1. Direct Democracy: This is the system of government where everybody is involved in governing the country. It is a system whereby all citizens meet together periodically for the purpose of governing the country. 
2. Indirect Democracy: This is a system of government where citizens choose their representatives to rule on their behalf. This is also called representative democracy. This system of government is practised in Nigeria, Ghana, and U.S.A etc. Importance of Democracy It creates opportunity for everybody in a place to have a say in the government of a state or a nation Everybody has a right to make suggestions Everyone has a right to nominate a person for election There is freedom of speech, freedom of religion and freedom to education 

Problems of Democracy

• Shortsightedness: Democratic politicians are elected for a short period of time (4 – 5 years). This election cycle causes them not to think “what is best for the country in the long run” but “what is best in the country in 4 – 5 years so I can claim responsibility and get elected again.” Therefore unpopular solutions to long-term problems are postponed since it would be unpopular to the voters.
• Populism: This is connected to the first problem. Democracy has elections and for the politician to be elected he has to be popular. Democracy is a giant popularity contest where the elections aren’t won by the wisest, smartest or most intelligent but by the most popular one. So the politician has to give the people gifts so he can stay popular.
• Selfishness: The third problem is connected to the previous two. In a dictatorship or authoritarian regime you can tell people that they would’ve to live more modestly now because the state (religion, nation…) requires it. But in democracy? People are very greedy, thinking only about themselves and their rights. So they wouldn’t live modestly for the sake of the greater good. Instead, they will oust the politician who tells them that and elect a new one who will tell them that everything is right.

Meaning of Constitutional Democracy

Democracy is the government of, by, and for the people. It is the government of a community in which all citizens, rather than favoured individuals or groups, have the right and opportunity to participate. In a democracy, the people are sovereign. The people are the ultimate source of authority.

In a constitutional democracy, the authority of the majority is limited by legal and institutional means so that the rights of individuals and minorities are respected. This is the form of democracy practised in Germany, Israel, Japan, the United States, and other countries.

Constitutional democracy is the type of democracy where the powers of the majority are exercised within a framework of the constitution designed to guarantee the majority’s rights.

In this type of democracy, how the people are to be ruled and governed is stated in the constitution.

Constitutional democracy is the type which operates from and according to the constitution of the states.

 Types of Constitutional Democracy

1. Pluralism: This type of constitutional democracy in which the majority of the people are allowed to exercise their views, opinions and ideas. It gives room for wide participation of the citizens.
2. Republican constitutional democracy: This type of democracy allows for proceedings on issues that concern the state alone. It includes all the people of a state but only on the issues that concern the state alone. Examples of countries that practise this are India, France, and Ireland.
3. Constitutional Direct: This fashions all its progressions and procedures according to the constitution of the state and allows direct participation in political affairs.

Features of Constitutional Democracy

1. CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY : is the antithesis of arbitrary rule. It is a democracy characterised by: POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY. The people are the ultimate source of the authority of the government which derives its right to govern from their consent.
2. MINORITY RIGHTS. Although “the majority rules,” the fundamental rights of individuals in the minority are protected. Minority rights: Under constitutional democracy, the rights of the voiceless or the unprivileged are well secured through the constitution.
3. LIMITED GOVERNMENT. The powers of government are limited by law and a written or unwritten constitution which those in power obey. Limited Government: The government in constitutional democracy is limited unlike that of other forms of democracy in which government can be dissolved at any time.

INSTITUTIONAL AND PROCEDURAL LIMITATIONS ON POWERS.

There are certain institutional and procedural devices which limit the powers of government. These may include:

1. SEPARATED AND SHARED POWERS. Powers are separated among different agencies or branches of government. Each agency or branch has primary responsibility for certain functions such as legislative, executive, and judicial functions. However, each branch also shares these functions with the other branches.
2. CHECKS AND BALANCES. Different agencies or branches of government have adequate power to check the powers of other branches. Checks and balances may include the power of judicial review. At the power of courts to declare actions of other branches of government to be contrary to the constitution and therefore null and void.
3. DUE PROCESS OF LAW. Individual rights to life, liberty, and property are protected by the guarantee of due process of law.
4. LEADERSHIP SUCCESSION THROUGH ELECTIONS. Elections ensure that key positions in government will be contested at periodic intervals and that the transfer of governmental authority is accomplished in a peaceful and orderly process.
5. Popular Sovereignty: In a constitutional democracy, the people are seen as the louder voice of the government of a state, this makes the will of the electorate prevail.
6. Basic freedom: The constitution allows the people to know their rights and ensure that their rights are protected; there is basic freedom of interference from the people in the affairs of government
7. Majority rule: This is the rule that gives the majority the chance to express their views and opinions in the affairs of the government. Majority rule gives leadership rights to the people and thereby gains the full support and recognition of the masses.

Functions of Constitutional Democracy

1. They provide social amenities like water, electricity, etc for the people.
2. They protect the citizens against internal and external attack
3. They make Laws and execute them
4. They promote national unity
5. They respect the dignity of an individual
6. They protect the rights of individuals in the country

Organisational constituted authorities: These are leaders of business organisations, clubs, political parties or social gatherings.

Functions of Organisational Constituted Authority.

1. They cater for the interests of their members
2. They make decisions and policies for their members
3. They protect the rights of their members
4. They represent their organisations in any relevant event in the society.

Key Concepts of Constitutional Democracy

Some of these key concepts are

1. History of the people: In any good and acceptable constitutional democracy, the constitution must reflect the history of the people and the history of the people must be put into consideration.
2. Freedom of the press: The press, radio, television, newspaper and other social media are means by which citizens express their views i.e. people are free to write and make reports on governmental issues.
3. Convention: Constitutional democracy brings out conventions through which the government follows, through the conventions skills are acquired and disseminated.
4. Periodic election: Free and fair election is one of the major key concepts of constitutional democracy because it allows for change in government.
5. The rights of citizens: another key is the rights of citizens; their rights must be respected and protected.
6. Supremacy of the Constitution: Under constitutional democracy, the Constitution is supreme and supersedes every other consideration in a constitutional democracy.

Advantages of Constitutional Democracy

The following points below are the merits of constitutional democracy

1. There is the rule of law; this promotes equality of persons and helps to protect human rights.
2. It also helps to encourage constitutionalism; by this means, it helps the government to rule according to the laid down rules, regulations and principles of the state and not to rule anyhow without proper guidance.
3. There is legitimacy; constitutional democracy is regarded as legitimate because it has the full support of the people.
4. It involves periodic elections which ‘lead in’ another government for a change.
5. There is a choice of political party i.e. there is an opportunity for every citizen to belong to the political party of their choice and select their leader.
6. Citizenship is not dependent on adherence.

Disadvantages of Constitutional Democracy

1. There is the separation of powers; constitutional democracy brings about a separation of powers among various organs of government
2. Corruption and manipulation of election; during the time of electing new leaders through elections, there is usually corruption and manipulation by the electoral bodies and the political party members which helps to usher in wrong leaders into power.
3. Ignorance/ inadequate political education; Most illiterates vote ignorantly due to a lack of knowledge of political education.
4. Slow decision-making; since everybody will have to express their views and opinions on any decision the government wants to make, it makes the decision very slow.
5. Individuals claim rights and obligations which most times make them disrespect those in power.
6. Too expensive; constitutional democracy involves so many people in carrying out its affairs, thereby becoming too expensive to run.
7. Manipulation by few; constitutional democracy is always manipulated by some few citizens who have vocal skills and abilities in expressing views and opinions.