HUMAN RIGHTS UNDER DEMOCRACY

K. Ramana Prasad

Introduction

Ever since the organisastion of societies in different forms came about,

conflicts in the manner of assuming, conferring or exercising of authority
and rights and contingent duties for the accepted ideals have been
considered in great detail by eminent thinkers. Accordingly, concepts like
democracy, liberty, equality, fraternity, state, nation, privileges and forms
of governments ranging from absolute monarchy to militarism to
democratic functioning in different mores have been analyzed, given
shape and systematically followed by different peoples in different climes
and times in different manner. The greatest legacy of the 20th century has
been to disseminate information on these aspects of civilized life to those
who aspire to carve out for their communities, the finest ideas and ideals
that the best minds have bequeathed to posterity and for which successive
generations of mankind had struggled and shown the pathway.

Democracy

In fact, the connotation of the word ‘Democracy’ itself has undergone

great changes from the very early times to the present. For the purposes of
this article, we will confine ourselves to the generally accepted modern
usage of western liberal approach. Similarly ‘Rights’ –acquired, conferred
upon or claimed to be of divine origin – has many attributes. Here, too, we
will follow what has been the outstanding contribution of British
Parliamentary evolution’s gift go humanity as a whole, once again
nurtured by such great turning evenings of history as the French
Revolution, American War of Independence, liberalism of different hues
down to the claims of the proletarian revolution, Afro-Asian-Latin
American resurgence and traditions of modern democratic states in
general, which by mutual consent between the governed the government,
have in theory at least, accepted certain rights as indispensable for the
functioning of the state.

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.”

The economic prospects of globalization of not merely trade and

commerce but educational and employment mobility and opportunities,
the tremendous scope of reaching out almost anywhere in all areas of
human endeavour, have given rise to globalization of thinking on human
values as well. Gone are the mere talk about something happening in
distant parts of the world. Along with many great strides in positive
advancements, negative thinking leading to catastrophic events attempted
by nihilists, terrorists and anarchists also pose a change to modern states
and citizens in not just protecting their narrow domains but to think in
terms of global security, growth, prosperity, sharing and a concern for the
entire humanity, unprecedented in dimensions in earlier times. And as the
micro will show the path for macro or the micro and macro have together
to tread cautiously to elude different forms of violence, it is easier to
understand the implications of a well-knit individual unit of modern state
to pay attention to the human rights to its citizens, with a view to
appreciate similar aspirations of people everywhere so that collective
protection becomes inherent starting point of all civilised states to come
together to enrich humanity. On the assumption of viable modern states
and citizens striving for harmony and global peace, inevitable interaction
between national and international events, we shall now concentrate on
human rights in a democratic form of state.

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.

In brief, we have to assume that a modern state has to be concerned with

appropriate rights and duties of the citizens who constitute the state. After
all, governments are but reflections of the people composing the state. As
the heritage of humanity is common, as indeed scientific and literary
delights have been shared, so too the political values need to be imbibed
by people to look forward to a betterment of their lives. For we have not
reached the stage of people as a community without the burden of the
instrument of a state, which essentially has to have some coercive powers
to enforce the collective ideals.

This brings us to the complexities of the modern organisation of state

itself. It is occasionally possible for a small state to have a sense of great
identity in language, religion, culture, way of living, economic moorings,
racial characteristics and a desire to live together under the banner of a
state. But even very small countries do have problems with minorities of
various descriptions and, therefore, care is to be taken to ensure that rights
are had by all who are members of the body-politic. If even the small
states with great cohesion do encounter such problems, nothing need be
said about multifarious constituents in larger states where diversities are
the order due to historical and contemporary factors. Nevertheless, the
story of the past sixty years or so, ever since the founding of the United
Nations with all its shortcomings and glories, the mergence of nation-
states in large parts of Africa and Asia from the clutches of colonialism
and imperialism, the story of the majority of human population to rise
from the ashes of the enormous burden of the past in its varying and
suppressive legacy of the past, to look forward to a better life, is a pointer
to the need for assigning dignified human rights to a democratically
functioning state. We have enough evidence to state that such human
rights in a democratically embedded state have led to all-round
development of the people and an urge towards extending such benefits to
every group of human beings with a view to help realize the value of not
just an inherited legacy but the norms of material comforts enjoyed by
advanced nations.

Religious differences

So we are concerned with the problem of a modern democratic state but

have to address the problem of religious differences as well. For, there are
many modern states where one religion is declared to be an official one.
We will assume that we are concerned with those states only to the extent
of these giving rights to religious minorities. There have been many states
paying lip sympathy to some religion or the other, without really caring

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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

Accordingly we are concerned with a modern, democratic, secular state :

this is a contemporary theme. A few words on modernism would not be
out of place. Here we mean largely the socially accepted ideals of
transition from some outdated conceptions of the past and a passion for
looking forward to fresh, rational approach susceptible to the good
changes coming from anywhere without necessarily sacrificing what a
people consider as intrinsically indispensable for their need to protect their
cultural or other identities. In this sense secularism not merely indicates a
non involvement of the state with reference to religious beliefs and
practices of the people but would enforce that such an approach is had by
all the members of the society, whether in a majority or minority religious
milieu. Secularism would imply that people reach out to others to form a
state, fully knowing that individuals have the right to hold on to their
cherished values. Secularism implies that these differences do not affect
the progress of the state and its people as a whole towards betterment of
their material comforts and other cultural pursuits so that the purpose of
coming together, subordinating other variations, is fulfilled. It also
encourages all its citizens to understand that the beliefs and behaviour of
others in respective religious spheres should be respected, appreciated and
at no stage ridiculed, denigrated or slighted. Secularism has this great
positive impetus to impart so that harmony is cultivated as a mater of
course and with due regards to the attitude of others.

Accordingly, a modern state has a given territory, people, a constitution to

lay down the norms of relationship that fundamentally should subsist
between the government and the people, a government as an instrument of

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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.

Democracy, not merely a political tool

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.

1. Right to Health Care

The right to good health needs hardly to be stressed, though surprisingly

overlooked. We often come across even in the relatively well-informed
government circles people gathering for an occasion provided with bottled
mineral waters while those whom they are supposed to govern do not have
access to clean drinking water. If this condition prevails for water, one of
nature’s bounties, which must be made available to all, one can imagine
situation in other basic health factors. We hear governments spending
billions to explore space and go to moon but not much is done to slake the
thirst of citizens! If health starts with water, then what of other medical
facilities? Healthcare should be society’s concern: more so in the emerging

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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

Mere guarantee of political rights is not enough. It is undoubtedly true that

political rights are hard won but they are harder still to be sustained and
passed on to the future. The assumption that political rights such as
equality and liberty, voting and elections would ensure permanency in the
system is naïve. Any right has a corresponding duty. If people are invested
with political rights, they have to be clearly told about their duties as
citizens. Political rights are like two-edged weapons. Ignorance or
indifference of the people would lead to disaster. Political rights of modern
times largely rest upon the assumption of equality of opportunity and
status for all. This equality presupposes a number of variables but for our
purpose, it is enough to state that political rights have no meaning if they
are just enshrined in paper. They require constant application by the
people. Technically we can have a plethora of rights but when people are
so disillusioned with the system, they do not care even to exercise the
most elementary freedom of right to vote. Unaware of the tremendous
sacrifices made by the forebears to gain these rights, indifference and
cynicism of a people not appreciating their rights would invite disaster.

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5. Economic Rights

This brings us to the most important right in a democracy. Economic

rights are not much talked about though various ‘isms’ and theories are put
for to bring about changes in the economic condition of the people.
Liberty of equality or any type of political right is meaningless if a section
of people to be for ever consigned to penury . The problem is deeper than
mere ideological approach. It involves human values as well. Should there
be a large number of people in despicable condition while some, by
chance or choice, could get away with all the benefits of economic
freedom? There is no need to be evasive about the answers. What must be
understood is that there must be equity, opportunity for all to work and
earn, curbing of exploitation, sharing of the gains of productivity by all,
the right to retiral benefits, a dignified wage etc. There are realizable
potentials. Technology is so developed it would be idle to pretend at this
age of globalization of economic activities there should be lack of
employment opportunities. What is required is a passion for social justice.
Economic rights must include proper wages, holidays, right to
advancement in the career, retiral benefits and finally a dignified old age.
Again these are not day dreams. Some of the wildest dreams have come
true. It is not too much to expect the collective wisdom of mankind to
evolve conditions suitable for optimum working conditions and a respect
for the right to work.

6. Social and Cultural Rights

When health care, housing, education, employment and economic rights

are appropriately guaranteed by political rights, it would just be a matter
of time before social and cultural rights are fruitfully conferred or enjoyed.
The greatness of democracy is that it can be a great instrument in
transforming the society from slumber to The greatness of democracy is
that it can be a great instrument in transforming the society from slumber
to The greatness of democracy is that it can be a great instrument in
transforming the society from slumber to wakefulness, from inertia to
dynamism and from darkness to light Political theory and thought have
been enriched by great philosophers and their practice have benefited
millions.

Conclusion

A democracy, if made to function properly, is a great tool to humanity to

overcome many obstacles in the form of inherited burdens of the past or
difficulties in implementing the best from the present. To sustain it we
require an understanding and genuine will to confer and practice human
rights. Democracy and human rights go together.

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