Eawar Jalal Barzanji

eawarjalal_21@hotmail.com

Democracy was defined by Abraham Lincoln as the government, of the people, for the people and by the people. It is a system that is the most acceptable. Every single individual in the country is a part of the process of governing the legislature is elected by the people. It makes laws for the people. The executive, selected from the legislature, runs the country for the people. If it is corrupt or failing in this duty it will not be re-elected the next time.

 This does not mean that democracy is an ideal system for which makes the functioning of the government flawless. Democracy has also its failure. It does not guarantee social justice. Sometimes those in powers are corrupt. At the time the governing bodies keep their actions a secret and do not take the people into the confidence. It is slow in functioning and is incapable of coping up with emergency but in spite of all this defects democracy is the most effective form of government.

  If the democracy is to be effective the people have to be alert. The y must continuously keep tack of the activities of those to whom they have entrusted the reins of government. They must to raise a voice against injustice and atrocities. Democracy gives them this height and opportunity. But most important they must perform their functions as citizens faithfully and to the best of their abilities. If an individual is corrupt he cannot accept those in power to be free from corruption.

Democracy is better than other forms of government. Other forms of government are monarchy and dictatorship-of an individual, of a foreign imperialist government, of a military or of a political party. In both monarchy and dictatorship, the ruler-individual or group-wields absolute power and people have no remedy against its misuse. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Their is no individual freedom, freedom of speech or expression.

 But the most important attribute of democracy is that everyone is treated equally before the law, irrespective of caste, creed or sex. Everyone is entitled to freedom of speech, worship, occupation and to move through out the country. The dignity of man is recognized and respected, people are given ample opportunities to become strong and self reliant. For this and many other reasons democracy is more advantageous than other forms of government and best reflects the will of the people in the governance of the country.

Canada

Aug.22.2005