The Rule of The People- Role of Civil Society In A Democracy

Human beings have primordially existed in groups and clans, overcoming their inability to attain self sufficiency, as isolation leads to dissipation. ‘Society’ has therefore emerged as a mother system; the broader outline, giving birth to other sub-systems which influence and get influenced by it. Politics, economics, etc. These sub-systems, in the modern times; after the clear shift from the feudal period, supplement the existence of society and have become necessary for the well-being of the society as a whole.

Hence their existence, as according to the ‘Contractualists’ is utility based. i.e., the government is a tool in the hands of the people for achieving their ends. Thus the civil society plays an important role, especially in a democracy; which is inherently participatory.

                               

Understanding Democracy

At the centre of the society lies the individual whose interests are to be protected by the state: an association of associations. It was this objective of the state, realized in the post-industrialist world, which strengthened the institution of democracy: rightly defined by Lincoln as “Government of the people, by the people, for the people.”

India since independence has cherished the same distinction of being a democracy which is undoubtedly the most evolved system which empowers its people to be their own masters, provides them with constitutional guarantees of rights and subsequent duties and gives them the freedom to live a dignified life in their own capacities.

Also, it inherently prevents any person or group to attain dictatorship which leads to concentration of power, as Lord Acton said “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely”. Democracy is therefore the only framework which fragments power in such a manner that it ultimately rests with people, at least in theory.

The recent Jasmine Revolution, which has been significant for two reasons: first, for marking the growing urge for democracy- highlighting its inevitability; second, for showcasing the, mostly peaceful, strength of the civil society which has been the main force behind this movement, certainly adds practical mileage to the superiority of ‘The Democratic Ideology’.

The Civil Society - A Source of Shaping The Democracy

A civil society is defined broadly, as a body of people, of all age groups, outside the government which has the responsibility of positively working towards the removal of constraints: social, political, developmental etc. This conception, as I have mentioned earlier, is not new; in fact, societies have grown out of groups created outside the institution of families since time immemorial.

The civil society in India had been active even before independence, acting as the main force behind the attainment of freedom. A significant contribution in mobilizing this strength (which remains dormant until the need arises) was made by Mahatma Gandhi who channelized the voice of the people in a systematic and peaceful way which was evident in all his regional and national movements i.e., from ‘Champaran’ to ‘Quit India movement’. Gandhi ji urged the people of India to follow the tenets of ‘Satyagrah’ which implies: absence of external restraints accompanied with self- imposed internal restraints.

The words of Gandhi ji, howsoever ideal and utopian, as one may contest, have had a great impact on the civil societies of not only India but nations round the globe and have given to them the ‘civil’ character which implies the belief in the practice of non-violent retaliation. So be it the American civil agitation against the futile Vietnam War or the very recent anti-graft movement in India, the civil society has always found strength in peaceful agitation and has been a strong force to reckon.

Furthermore, the civil societies have a significant place in democratic countries like USA and India where they not only have the invaluable power of free and fair voting but also have the power of criticizing the government policies and molding them, therefore acting as a strong pressure group.

In the context of the Indian experience: amidst an environment of corruption (a nexus between some powerful politicos, bureaucrats and businessmen) it has been the strong and unanimous voice of the millions which has sent a handful few to the back foot. Also, the civil society has played and continues to play a very progressive role in the social and cultural development of the nation.

In this context the NGOs along with local citizens have made tremendous contributions in the field of education, sanitation, family planning etc. The Government initiated Confidence building measures (cbms) in the areas of conflict also need an equal participation of the people- The citizens.

Ergo it wouldn’t be wrong to say that the civil society plays a remarkable role, alongside the government and there relationship is one of mutual co-operation.   

However, the civil society has a great responsibility to remain a positive influence to the government’s actions, and should refrain from acting in a capacity which threatens the institution of democracy itself. i.e., we must limit our demands in the sense that they can be accepted by the state on practical grounds, as change is gradual and moreover it becomes effective only when it is imbibed by the society as a whole.

Danda utha! fight abuse

Note:
It's an initiative taken by the students of Maharaja Agrasen College, supported by the Principal Dr. Sunil Sondhi And the Police to counter the menace of the Govt. school Boys.




"when the lion's gone weak, the hyenas rule."
                         I am writing on a very serious issue concerning all the students of maharaja Agarsen college who have or have not yet realized the need to unite and speak or rather take action against the nefarious govt. school children of the neighborhood who are a constant menace to the society.
                         
It has been some time since our college building has shifted to the new campus. In a bid to move into a better college(infrastructure wise) we have shifted  to one of the most perilous of localities.Also,Its been a thing of common knowledge that the students of Maharaja Agarsen have been a divided lot, a fact these rascals are aware of. As a result, we hear lewd comments being made, girls being harassed boys being beaten up. Moving in groups of four or five, these imprudent school children have managed to instill a sence of insecurity and fear. Our impuissance has given them the impetus to advance in there illicit endeavours. recently, a girl of our college was physically assaulted, a boy was beaten up and I am sure there will be many more such incidences if we start counting.

To put it straight, everyone is affected and then therefore we will henceforth act in unison.Its high time we show these goons that we will not take it anymore. Through this group we first need to aware fellow students and then form a strong student association to combat these assaults as we cannot always leave it to the police to take action especially when time is of essence.

Our message to all “You are not alone ,We are with you.”