Challenges to Democracy-Communalism, Terrorism, globalization and Technological advancement

Challenges to Democracy

Introduction

  

Meaning and definition   

The most outstanding achievement of the resurgent Indian nation is our constitution which is unique in many respects. Our country is secular democratic republic wedded to the principle of socialism. These features  are mentioned in the preamble of the constitution of India .It runs  “we, the people of India, having  solemnly resolved to constitute India into a sovereign Democratic Republic and to  secure  to all its citizen Justice; social, economic and political, liberty of thought, expression, belief faith and worship.

Equality of status and opportunity; and to promote among them all Fraternity, assuring the dignity of the individual and the Unity of the Nation in our constituent Assembly 26th November, 1949, does hereby adopt, enact and give to ourselves this constitution.

      The word “Democracy”is derived from the Greek word ‘demos’ which means people and ‘Cratia’ which means government or rule. This democracy means ‘rule or government of the people.’

      According to Abraham LincoIn “Democracy   is a government of the people, by the people, and for the people”

      According to Bryce, “Democracy is a form of government is which ruling power in largely vested not in any one individual or in a particular class or classes, but in the members of a community as a whole.”

      Aristotle defined “Democracy as government by the many”

Values of Democracy

      Some of the important values of democracy are as follows.

1.     Equality

Democracy is based on the principle of equality between man and man. In a democracy every individual provided equal political, social and economic opportunities.

           2. Respect  for individuality

In a democratic set up each individual member of the society is allowed a full scope for self development and self-realization. Some importance is given to a sweeper or a labourer is given to a doctor or an engineer.

3.Fellow feeling and co-operation

A democratic society is concerned with the welfare of the humanity and it provides no room to any artificial division of society on the basis of caste, creed, religion etc… Each individual is a co-worker and is entitled to share and respect the wishes of others.

4.   Toleration

The   members of  truly democratic society are ever willing to tolerate all different types of differences is religion ,caste,colour,wealth, thought and practice etc….

5.   Self-Education

      Democracy is government by the people for their welfare so it teaches the individual to scarify his narrow, personal interest for the common good of all. For strengthening of democratic values the individual is expected to have a certain degree of intelligence, public spirit and discipline.

Education for Democracy

Preparing pupil for democracy is a coveted goal ofour education. With this goal in view the following aims meant for strengthening Indian democracy have been highlighted in our educational system.

•    Development of personality
•    Education for leadership training
• Improvement of vocational efficiency
•       Developing democratic citizenship.
• 
  

Challenges facing Democracy

The first and far most concern of education is a democratic country has to be the promotion and development of the value of democratic citizenship. Some of the important factors hampering integration of the Indian society are as follows.

Communalism

India is a head of many religions is said to be one of the factors hampering integration India become divided because of the religious fanaticism of a few. India has categorically been wedded to secularism. Secularism implies religious impartiality and toleration. India is therefore providing for the growth of all religion instead of creating condition leading to religious instead of creating condition leading to religious crusade. But there are instance where certain religious leaders have used the slogan “Hinduism in danger”. “Islam in Dagger” etc. for promoting there vested interests. They spread rumors and arouse religious fanaticism in the common man who is illiterate and ignorant. Even political parties have been organized in the name of religion.

Globalization

The term globalization indicts integration of societies and economic through cross country. Flows of information, ideas, technologies, goods, services, capital finance and expertise. This integration encompasses various dimensions-cultural, social, economic and political.

            Developing countries face problems in raising revenue to finance social safety nets through taxes. In an era of globalization, it is proving increasingly difficult to tax highly mobile capital and even a highly educated and internationally mobile labour force. If revenue is assured for effective safety nets it minimizes the welfare and human capital loses that poor countries typically suffer in terms of economic hardship or crisis. The vest antidote to inequality is, of course investment and access to education and this needs aggressive and targeted intervention across developing countries.

            A direct consequence of this is  that globalization exacerbates  inequality, rising its political risk and widening already existing social cleavages the challenges is to ensure in  orderly transition  to more competitive, less rent-seeking and rules-based economics systems with more ready access to social assets, especially   education and health.

Terrorism

Terrorism consists of use of violence or threat or violence by an organized group to attain political objectives. The victims of terrorism are important as a means for influencing a wider target audience. The victims are normally civilians because attacks on them increase the impact of the violence on the target audiences. Terrorism is also a weapon of the weak.

            Democratic states may be the scenes of terrorism for reasons and related to their democratic politics. Because of weaker security forces, Concerns for civil liberties, and a free press. These countries may be chosen by dissidents for attacks against their home governments.

            Democratization in the 19^th century leads to increase in terrorism. This finding suggests that the spread of democracy won’t be an immediate solution to the problem of terrorism

Technological Advancement

The technological advancement has immense influence on social change. The inventions and discoveries influence the life of the individual in the society and thus pave way for social changes. The form of society is undergoing change as a result of the invention of  variety of machines operated using different forces of energy like electricity, petrol and steam, and used for production transport and communication and day today activities of life, entertainment etc….

            The structure of Indian society is not egalitarian. It is marked by socio economic inequalities. The distribution of national wealth is so uneven that a handful of persons enjoy luxurious while a large mass cannot make both ends meet. The socio economic inequities are a creating a wide gulf between the rich and the poor, the high and the low.

Then Role of Social science teacher promoting  in Democratic values

            Teachers should play a very significant role in developing among children, favorable attitude towards nationalism. Unless teachers themselves get infused with the spirit of democracy and secularism and present models of behavior based on values of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity, they cannot motivate student lead them to the desired goal. No programmers of national integration can succeed without suitable teachers who are above Castism, communalism, terrorism and exploitation. Teachers should set models to be emulated by students and think and acts judiciously without any prejudices towards particular region, language or religion.

Conclusion

To conclude it must be emphasized that to provide democratic education is a jointed responsibility of school, home and society. Thus all out efforts are made to organize all relationships of an individual in accordance with democratic values. It has also been remarked that “Democracy is easy and fluid bending to the will of the people, changing with time and adjusting it to meet new situation. Under it the supreme ideal is not the good of the state the nation or the race but the good of the common people.”

Reference

1.         A.S Kohli, Teaching of Social Studies , Anmol Publications Pvt.Ltd, New Delhi.

2.         S. K Kochhar, The  teaching of social studies,sterling  Publication Pvt.Ltd.

3.         Dr. K. Sivarajan, Social Science Education, Calicut University, Central Co-Operative Stores

4.         www.wikipedia.com