"Democracy is when People control the Government." ~ Aun San Sui Kyi
In India, world's largest democracy, its the other way round. People in India really need to understand the essence of Democracy.
Difference between a dictatorial and a democratic govt is that the latter gives you the privilege to question which is missing in the former ! It is an obligation in a dictatorial govt to favor your "ruler" no matter what it does. But if we are doing so in a democratic govt, then we are really walking a wrong road.
If govt is doing something good, we should show our support towards that govt in elections (that's what elections are meant for) . We don't need to run around and "convince" other people about the same. It is the duty of the govt to do good for the citizens of the country. That's what they are paid for. But some people act as if the govt is making "sacrifices" for them. People need to realize that money govt spend on many "social schemes" is their own money, politicians are not spending from their pockets and We have every right to have our money spent on us only.
On the other hand, if govt takes a wrong step, people should have the courtesy to criticize it and to oppose it ! That's the power Democracy has given us. We should not waste it just because we favor a political entity, by "defending" it with all the utter nonsense we can talk ! Their ministers, their spokespersons and even their "bought media" is there for that.
Then there is a faction of people that lies between supporters and critics of a govt, the faction which is most dangerous for a democratic Regime, the faction with the "let it be" attitude, the faction with the "ignorant" attitude , the faction that thinks that if something is not affecting them then it "doesn't matter". And more than anyone else, that faction needs to realize that "it does matters", your opinion matters, your vote matters and above all your Participation matters.
When we do not criticize any wrong step that the govt takes, then we are indirectly giving it the "freedom" to do whatever it wishes to, in the "name" of "welfare of common man". In such an atmosphere, how we are supposed to get a better governance ?
"If our Democracy is to flourish, it must have Criticism; if our government is to function, it must have dissent." ~ Henry Steele Commager
Govt will be obliged to do something for "common man" only when it will have the "fear" of the common man, when it will realize that people will not tolerate any unjust policy of the govt ,and when it will have the fear of loosing in the next elections. "Blindly"supporting or not questioning any action that the govt takes, will only make it fearless and render it unanswerable to us, the citizens. Eventually, It would lead to an authoritarian exercise of power.
"In a Democracy, the individual enjoys not only the ultimate power but carries the ultimate responsibility." ~ Norman Cousins
