Home Preparation for National Talent Search Examination (NTSE)/ Olympiad
Chapter : 2. What is Democracy? Why Democracy?
Major Decisions by elected leaders
(C) Major Decisions by elected leaders : A democratic government is one in which the people's representatives participate in decision making process. They own a collective responsibility for all the decisions taken by the government. There are example where representatives of people are chosen; but they are not allowed to participate in decision making process. This happens in many dictatorships and monarchies. e.g. currently in Pakistan under General Musharraf. In Pakistan, General Parvej Musharraf acquired power in October 1999 through an military coup. In Pakistan though they formally have an elected parliament and government but the real power is with those who are not elected. Not withstanding the existence of elected national and provincial assemblies, these countries can not be classified as a democratic country. This gives us the first feature in a democracy the final decision making power must rest with those elected by the people.