TALK ABOUT DEMOCRACY

What Is Democracy?
The word democracy comes from Greek words which are demos (people) and kratos (power). There are some definitions of democracy thats taken from many resources:
1.

A form of government in which the people freely govern themselves; where the executive (or administrative) and law-making (or legislative) power is given to persons chosen by the population; the free people. In the result, the government is said to be 'representative', as in representative of the people. (www.duhaime.org)

2.

A form of government in which all the people have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal (and more or less direct) participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law. It can also encompass social, economic and cultural conditions that enable the free and equal practice of political self-determination. (www.wikipedia.org)

3. 4.

Government of the people, by the people, for the people (Abraham Lincoln) It is the people who hold sovereign power over legislator and government (www.usinfo.org)

5.

A system of government in which all the people of a country can vote to elect their representatives. (Oxford Dictionary)

6.

Form of government, where a constitution guarantees basic personal and political rights, fair and free elections, and independent courts of law. (www.democracybuilding.info)

7.

A system which gives freedom to the people about choices, saying opinion, and so on that related to their contribution for the society. (Mutiara Aisyah)

In order to build a real democracy, there are several key points that have to be implemented:
1. 2.

Guarantee of basic Human Rights to every individual person Separation of Powers between the institutions of the state: Government (Executive Power), Parliament (Legislative Power) and Courts of Law (Judicative Power)

3. 4. 5.

Freedom of opinion, speech, press and massmedia Religious liberty General and equal right to vote (one person, one vote)

6.

Good Governance (focus on public interest and absence of corruption) (www.democracy-building.info)

Is Democracy Really The Worst System Ever?

Many forms of Government have been tried,and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time; but there is the broad feeling in our country that the people should rule, continuously rule, and that public opinion, expressed by all constitutional means, should shape, guide and control the actions of Ministers who are their servants and not their masters. That is the popular qoutation of Winston Churchill when he was in the House of Commons, 11 November 1947, speech in debate on the Parliament Bill. Some interpretations of this quotation are following:
1.

Churchill doesn't really defend the virtues of democracy as a system of government, but rather takes a pragmatic approach - it's not exactly great as a form of government, but it's the best of a bad bunch. If something better comes along, perhaps we will move to that. But are there better systems of government? Is something being developed that will remove the flaws of democracy? (www.saidwhat.co.uk)

2.

The timing of this famous remark is significant. Churchill won the war, but in the election of July 1945, he was defeated. At the time I thought the public showed gross ingratitude, but I am willing to accept the interpretation that Churchill was not the man to organize the peace. (wais.stanford.edu)

3.

There is no such thing as the "perfect form of government" on earth, but any other form of government produces even less desirable results than democracy. Until today, no other form of government has been invented that could regulate public affairs better than democracy. (www.democracy-building.info)

4.

Actually, democracy is a good form of government which has been ever tried, but it doesnt mean that this form is the most perfect one. Every form has its own advantages and drawback, based on the way to use it. (Mutiara Aisyah)

How About Democracy in The Pancasila?

Pancasila, as the ideology of Indonesia, said about democracy in the fourth principle: Democratic life led by wisdom of thoughts in deliberation amongst representatives to the people. The simple realization of this principle is deliberation culture in which all the people have same right to have and deliver their opinions, also accept the others opinions. It doesnt mean that the oponions will directly approved, but there will be deeper discussion about it. Then, the result of the deliberation is approved by all of the member, not only the majority. It have to be done and full of responsibility. The people (member) can not only support their own business and push the other to do that, they have to support their mutual interest. These ara the basic of democracy by Pancasila: togetherness and similarity. Pancasila was made by founding fathers of Indonesia in order to be the basic regulation for all of Indonesian citizens in their life. Actually, the five principles were exist since since centuries ago, then its formulated and be Indonesian ideology now. The founding fathers made it simple without losing the complex value, so it can be understood and done easily. They also used the principle of democracy when they tried to formulate Pancasila by deliberation, also emphasizing to national needed. In the other hand, nowadays, its difficult to find the pure implementation of the fourth principle. Although many kinds of democracy have been tried, the appropriate one still has been found yet. Most of people claim that, day by day, our democracy culture become worse or even faded. This statement based on the reality that deliberation is useless than voting. It also can be seen from the work of the government, the election system, etc.

So, How Is It?

Democracy is a good system of government, eventhough it can not be done for all countries and all situations in the world. The success of democracy implementation depend to the people who is involved in it because this system is emphasizing in the peoples participation. Besides that, life is dynamic and effect the democracy. So, its a common thing if sometimes the system is unstable, then need more special attention and action.