Types of Democracy

  1. Direct democracy: - Direct democracy is also known as the pure democracy. A direct democracy is a type of political system in which the people themselves take part in the affairs of the state, in passing laws and in executing them. In this democracy people exercise their power directly. This type of democracy is possible in small state where people can conveniently assemble at a given place and pass the laws.
  2. Indirect Democracy: - Indirect democracy is a type of political system in which people take part in the affairs of the state indirectly. In this type of political system the government is run by the representatives who are elected periodically by the people.

S. Mill defines indirect democracy as on in which the whole people of some numerous portion of them, exercise the governing power through deputies periodically elected by themselves. The people judge the representatives by their deeds. If they are found to efficient they are reelected. Otherwise, new members are elected.

  1. Liberal Democracy: - The political system in which people enjoy freedom, equality, social justice and emphasis on democratic norms and values is called liberal democracy. The pressure group are there in this type of democracy.
  2. Revolutionary Democracy: - Revolutionary democracy is a type of democracy is a type of democracy in which people executrices their power by their representatives but there is the limited right are provided to people. It is base d on the Marxist principle. In this democracy there is the central planning for the economic development of the country. It has characteristics of both communism and individualism. But state become the powerful body to conduct different activities.
  3. Inclusive Democracy: - Inclusive democracy is a type of democracy in which people, who are excluded, included in the political system by providing certain reservation quota. This type of democracy is based on the equity rather than equality. Individual of all caste, ethnicity, region, community get equal chance to be elected but there is certain provision for the guarantees of their participation in governing and lawmaking body.

Essential conditions for Democracy

There are certain conditions which must be fulfilled if democracy is to be successful and fruitful which are as follows:

  • Political maturity and education on the part of people.
  • People should have consciousness to protect democracy at all costs.
  • It requires system of self-governance and self-governing institutions like Gaunpalika and Municipalities in Nepal.
  • People should have strong desire to democracy.
  • It requires the spirit of tolerance because democracy is a government by debate, discussion and criticism.
  • It requires strong opposition.
  • It requires undisturbed jurisdiction of judiciary.
  • Free and independent press which is the watch dog of democracy.
  • It requires economic, political and social equality.
  • It requires non corruptible citizen or citizen of high moral characters.
  • Andrian suggest suggests six main essential conditions for the stability of democracy which are as follows:
  1. Territorial, political and constitutional legitimacy- the people must accept the geographical definition of the state, must respect the constitution and the regime power.
  2. Consensus Politics- democracy requires a consensus among the political forces at least at the minimum level and loyalty to the democratic process itself.
  3. Government policy- democracy is also depend on the government policy. Especially in new democracies, government should not pursue highly contentious policies too far and too fast unless there are a consensus.
  4. Link with economy- democracy must linked with economy. Stable and secure democracy has never been found in really poor societies. The economic condition is also plugged in with literacy, formal education, and communications etc.
  5. Distribution of political power and economic resource - the distribution of economic resources and political power to societies should be on an equitable basis. Because it will produce new winners and new losers, this sometimes, might invite violence that may easily crate civil conflict.
  6. Ethno cultural Difference – Ethnocentrism which is sometime found in ethno cultural difference deteriorate the prospects of consensual basis for democratic politics and thus, it threaten democracy.