Pre-Conditions For Democracy

Pre-requisites for the Success of Democratic Political Systems
“Government of the people, by the people, and for the people”- Abraham Lincoln
Democracy is a form of government where the people rule over themselves in the interest
of all citizens. However, in order to be successful, democracy needs certain pre-requisites. The
following conditions are commonly regarded as necessary- or at least extremely helpful- for the
establishment and maintenance of democracy.
1. Economics and Politics

There is an inherent interdependence between politics and economics. Such
interdependence has repercussions for democracy because economic factors can
negatively affect the democratic process. In this context, the absence of economic
oligarchies is important for the success of democracy.
a. The Absence of Economic Oligarchies
Political democracy cannot thrive in those nations where ownership or
control of the economy has become concentrated in the hands of a relatively small
number of persons. A lot of dangers for democracy are inherent in the
development of larger and more powerful corporations which hold companies,
chain stores, trade associations, international cartels and many other devices, in
order to restrict competition and to narrow the opportunities of small business.
Such a situation creates a dilemma: an increasingly powerful oligarchy
and an expanding political democracy within the same society. Oligarchy and
democracy tend to clash; powerful economic interests seek to shape public policy
to promote their own purposes, while the popular majority just as naturally tries to
use its political power to improve its own economic and social status. Thus, there
arises the question of whether popular sovereignty can be a reality in a society
where an increasing number of ‘sovereign’ people lack the power to shape public
policy.
2. Property Ownership and Democracy

It would be erroneous to accept any dogma concerning the
inevitable or necessary relationship between democracy and a particular
economic system. Great Britain, the Scandinavian countries, and New
Zealand may be cited as examples of countries that, although more or less
socialist in their economic structures, are nevertheless politically
democratic. However, it seems that, generally, private property is an
essential pre-requisite for democracy.
a. Private Property is Desirable for Democracy
Private property-not necessarily unlimited-is desirable for
democracy and democracy tends to be stronger where the ownership of
property is widely and rather evenly distributed. It is also significant that
democracy appears particularly secure in those countries, such as
Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, which are not characterized
by great extremes of wealth and poverty. On the other hand, in Italy, India,
Pakistan and several states of the United States, such extremes have been
and still are very conspicuous, and democracy in these various political
systems has made slow and halting progress. Hence, the argument that
democracy is impossible without private property and freedom of business
enterprise is countered by the argument that political democracy and
liberty will be realities only when they are supported by economic and
social democracy- that no society can be politically democratic if there are
extreme differences in the distribution of wealth.
3. Politics and Society

In evaluating the conditions essential to successful democratic
government, it is necessary to consider some important non-economic factors,
including the characteristics of culture. These cultural traits are necessary for the
evolution of democracy in a country:
a. A Basic Understanding of Democracy
It is generally agreed that democracy cannot be transplanted successfully
among people who do not understand it and whose political leaders are
unaccustomed to the resolution of their conflicts through political compromise
and bargaining. Democracy cannot be served up intact on a platter of authoritarian
traditions. In other words, the success of democracy is dependent upon the
presence of what one writer has called the ‘democratic vision’, which inspires the
citizenry to work earnestly for the realization of democratic goals. This is closely
related to what another writer terms a ‘civic’ sense among the people- ‘a rational
like-mindedness and an imaginative sympathy that in some degree transcend
economic and cultural differences.
b. A Consensus on Fundamentals
A consensus on fundamentals is necessary to the smooth working of
democracy and that consensus is in large part a function of a relatively
homogeneous society and culture. Where there are major racial, linguistic, or
religious cleavages, there are also very likely to be political instability, a tendency
toward authoritarian politics, or both.
c. A Well-Educated Citizenry
Another generally recognized precondition for successful democracy is a
literate and reasonably well-educated citizenry. This can be achieved only by
means of ‘a system of general education, an intelligent and independent press, and
freedom of association and discussion’. While well-educated people are not
necessarily democratic, it is clear that democracy develops successfully only
where there is a high degree of literacy, a public reasonably well informed on
civic matter, and adequate and open channels of communication. Democracy
arrived in England, France and the United States than it did in Italy or Spain,
where illiteracy was widespread.
d. Vigorous Public Discussion
Moreover, if education is mainly factual and vocational, failing to
encourage independent and critical thinking about public questions, it will not
produce the civic interest and awareness on the part of the citizenry upon which
the success of the citizenry ultimately depends. An informed but indifferent public
is as dangerous as an illiterate one. It is important that vigorous public discussion
be encouraged and facilitated by means of institutional arrangements and
constitutional safeguards that assure full opportunity for association, meeting,
communication and orderly protest. Without these safeguards, even a literate and
educated citizenry cannot provide adequate protection against the abuses of an
authoritarian regime, but many become merely its pliant subjects.

Pre-Conditions For Democracy

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Pre-requisites for the Success of Democratic Political Systems

1. Economics and Politics

2. Property Ownership and Democracy

3. Politics and Society

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