Professional Documents
Culture Documents
K. Ramana Prasad
Introduction
Democracy
Unity of mankind
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The world today largely presents a different picture from what it was at the
beginning of the 20th century. Enormous and incredible changes brought
about in various facets of life due to scientific advancement have touched
upon the lives in all the continents, though in varying shades. Similarly
information on the way of life of other people, now instantaneously reach
all parts of the globe giving scope for reaction, assimilation, adoption or
adaptation. Man appears to be truly moving towards the common goal of
“One World’, a very distant but distinct perspective of a Tamil bard who
had said several hundreds of years back, “The whole world is mine, all are
my brethren.”
Modern States
Organisation of modern states was not a smooth task. Even in the past and
medieval times, monarchy or any other type of government involved use
of force to create, sustain and often enlarge the domain of the state.
Philosophers from the time of Socrates down to Bertrand Russell in
modern times have dwelt at length on the consent of the governed,
participation of the governed, opportunities of the governed, enlargement
of the scope of the governed in the process of government for the
betterment of individuals and institutions, societies and the world at large.
Many modern states have attempted to incorporate in their political
constitutions the noble ideals of different nations so that the benefit of
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collective wisdom is shared and applied in detail to avoid pitfalls
encountered by others.
Religious differences
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much for the metaphysical needs of the people. We shall assume that it is
largely left to the individuals to cater to themselves without being
bothered by the state about the pursuit of their religious beliefs. Also we
have a number of states coming out with the concept of secularism, though
the term is interpreted in different fashions. For our purposes this is very
important because we are largely interested in giving norms for a
democratically inclined societies where rights include the right to practise
one’s religious inclinations without being disturbed by the members of the
rest of the society or from the instruments of the state.
This is not some idealistic norm as the events in Israel and Palestinian
states of any number of other tragically juxtaposed communities longing
to find security and harmony would indicate. We are not for a moment
suggesting that theocratic states have in-built opposition to other religious
practices. But we do know that by and large, many countries with strong
religious base do not come forward to accord liberal permission for
citizens with different faiths to practise theirs without interference.
Secularism
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state’s sovereignty to implement the policies and programmes of the
people. This requires an explicit laying down the rights of the people –and
correspondingly the duties as well – so that this living together can serve a
better purpose. The framers of the constitution must take into
consideration the unity or diversity of the people and should forge values
which would hold them together. Without the guiding principles, there
would be discordant notes. With specific guaranteed rights, the
government of the state and the people know the respective duties and
obligations so that any threat to harmonious balance is averted. All modern
constitutions, therefore, contain regulatory provisions for the governance.
We shall now look into the need for appropriate definition of human rights
in a democracy.
While this much abused word ‘democracy’ has the potential of distorting
even good intentioned ideals, it cannot be denied that despite many
difficulties, it is the best devised form of government. The reason is
obvious. There has to be a sense of understanding true democratic norms.
Democracy is not merely a political tool to bring together people for
economic betterment but it enhances the quality of the life of the people
by enabling them to pursue individual course of life to the full and
integrating it with those of others so that collectively benefit is shared by
all. This is a safer method of government, for in this, the rights to discuss,
dissent, disseminate views are recognised and larger the participation of
the people, the better for the state as a whole.
Common ideals inspire people to come together and in order that this
togetherness leads to enhanced quality of life, there should be vigorous
efforts to remove any obstacles. There are bound to be differences as to the
methods for reaching the goals but the basic idea that others too are
genuinely interested in the goals must be understood. In this context,
democratic norms are not merely for just political settings but are
applicable to other areas of human activities as well. They invest in the
community a sense of belonging together, to understand others’ point of
view so that harmonious working together for welfare of all is the concern
of all. The aims are laudable. It is not mere head counting to settle
vexatious disputes. It is putting heads together to find solutions to complex
problems and assure that dignity, fairplay and justice would be ensured to
all. It may sound platonic but it is true that very ignorant people have been
inspired to raise themselves to very great heights through proper lead
given by their committed leaders. When Abraham Lincoln declared that
the then civil war would decide the great issue that all men were created
equal, he laid down a noble norm implicitly followed by people elsewhere
too. People like Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela and a
host of others had this passion for serving the common people. We find in
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all the newly independent countries in the post-second world war era,
people clinging to the liberalist ideals and democracy of the European hue.
And to overcome violent means to sustain democratic practices, states
have carefully incorporated in their constitutions the basic principles
which would guide the people in active participation in community life.
Having stated that in a modern, secular state people come together for
advancement of material and other benefits, we shall briefly state the
rights required for such advancement and the means whereby they could
be furthered. We need not go into the details of governmental machinery
as we shall assume that people had chosen what has suited them best.
There shall be no discrimination based on race or language, religion or any
divisive force to disturb the balance. Rights, accordingly, would be
qualitatively stronger and greater than mere quantity. The position of
different states with reference to education, resources, constraints of the
past, the cobwebs of centuries will be different. Still, the beauty of
democracy is that it preaches not just a political accommodation of diverse
elements but a social and cultural emancipation together with better
economic advancement. To enjoy the fruits of science and technology, no
social or religious past deadwood need stand in the way. That is where
democratic spirit, democratic outlook, a democratic concern and
democratic way of life would go a long way than any other political
system which could arrogate to itself the right to tell citizens what they
must do.
Human Rights
Human Rights postulate, therefore, the attitude on the part of the people
that would enable them to blend the fine values of the past with the fine
elements from contemporary world, wherever good things could be
absorbed. They would be embedded in the basic structure of the
constitution as rights to be enjoyed by the people. The following are
indispensable in the domain of rights.
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nations where money is had for any number of fancy schemes. Waster,
clean environment, food, healthcare are indispensable tools for building a
better society. We cannot perpetuate inequity and inequality even with
regard to drinking water and health problems. To invest in human
resources is to reap the benefits for all. The tragic sequence of events in
Somalia is but a reminder to the conscience of mankind. Opulence in one
part of humanity and utter poverty to the point of destitution in this age of
advanced technology makes nonsense of scientific progress and universal
humanism. So in this subsection under health, we suggest that all the basic
needs from waster to clothing to housing to recreation form an integral
first step to distinguish man from animals. No effort should be spared to
declare this as “right” as distinguished from philanthropy or charity or
humanitarian cause. To live first as decent human beings, basic health care
for all must be conceived, developed and sustained.
2. Right to Education
Man is distinguished from the rest of the species but his capacity to learn
and progress. Democracy is a form of government assuring equality and
liberty for all the citizens and it would be a mockery if a large number of
people go with proper education. Many oriental traditions are rich in
literature but unfortunately until fairly recently education, the right to be
literate, the right to have access to knowledge was limited to a few. We are
not here concerned with sociological reasons and surmises. We are
concerned with the present and the future and if we can go the moon,
certainly we can make our brothers and sisters read and write, develop
skills which would be true liberation. Educational rights should not be
exclusive for the privileged alone. Educational opportunities must be had
by all. It is one means by which the individual recognizes and develops
one’s capabilities. We may also note that in many newly emerging states
gender injustice, that is, denying womenfolk to good education is denied.
Education alone would pave the way for true advancement of the society.
Education is a great equalizer. It clothes men and women with right
attitudes, right conduct and right thinking. Education, general or technical
is not a superficial acquisition. It is as important as fresh air and water for
betterment. It is not a gift by a society or a government. It should be made
the inherent right to gateway to knowledge. And from knowledge flows all
other benefits. To deny education is to deny civilization: to deny values: to
talk of democracy without assuring the citizens the right to be educated is
a travesty of justice. Education is the most liberating influence on
individual and society. Education truly is the guiding spirit for the success
of democratic way of living.
3. Right to Employment
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It is true that there are many problems confronting any society to provide
all the citizens appropriate employment opportunities. However, science
and technology have grown in such great dimensions, that the potentials of
employment are staggering indeed. What is required is a socially
conscious will to equitably apportion the work required for smoothly
carrying out the functions of society. There are practically no limits to
which the human mind is capable of devising measures, if the need arises,
to overcome any obstacle. When such is the case, the problem of lopsided
opportunities must be addressed to. When nature’s constraints in food
production could be overcome by scientific application of remedial
measures, is it too much to expect the best minds to sit together and find
that a situation is created whereby everyone can have 6 to 7 hours work
per day instead of unequal longer hours for many, no work for some etc.?
It is a question of planning, not throwing our doles or curtailing some
benefits but to look at humanity in a collective manner: without
discrimination and the recognition of spotted talent. Here again, it is a
question of proper application. If men could split atom and harness the
energy for constructive purposes, they could easily split the inertia and
lethargy and mindset of the past to usher in a rosy future where productive
forces can be taken care of by the collective efforts of all. Planning is not
necessarily an evil word: it is not regimentation. And certainly it is within
the realm of possibility for people to understand that many for ever
should not live at the cost of a mass of impoverished population. Work is
life; idleness is death. Work is positive: idleness is negation of values.
4. Political Rights
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5. Economic Rights
Conclusion
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