Why is democracy important?

Democracy is basically a government formed and run in the interest of the majority of the people of a nation. This doesn’t mean democracy will ignore the views and interests of minorities but all are equal in the eye of law.

Democracy is the most acceptable system of government in the world today. It’s gaining popularity in almost all of the countries across the world.

According to the former American President Abraham Lincoln, ‘Democracy is a government of the people, by the people and for the people.’

Democracy is a system of the government in which power is vested in all the people of the state from the hands of a handful of people and the people from their government.

It’s a political system in which fair elections are held with the aim of changing the government at the end of a specific term. In this system, there is a participation of multiple political parties and people in political activities.

Characteristics of a democratic society is the system of governing the country through some elected representatives of the people and the system of preserving their independence through the participation of the people in the activities of the state.

Democracy usually works in two ways:

i)              Direct or Pure democracy

ii)            Indirect or representatives democracy

A system of governance in which citizens have the opportunity to participate directly or indirectly is called direct democracy. Indirect democracy refers to the system of governing through the election of representatives.

In this system, the interest of people are paramount in determining the state policy and recognize the individuals’ freedom of speech.

(Redwanul Islam Emran studies Law and Land Management at the Islamic University)