Democracy: The Costliest Luxury

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Democracy has been defined as the form of government in which sovereign power rests in the hands of the people and is exercised by them either directly or indirectly through their representatives. Judging by the gradual disappearance of other forms of government - monarchy, aristocracy, theocracy, oligarchy, and dictatorship in which there was a marked concentration of power and a blatant denial of basic rights of the people - democracy has also proved to be the most durable form of government.

The durability of democracy stems from the fact that in this system of government, the citizens get full opportunities to express their will, develop their national character, and fight for both social and economic justice. All these distinctive marks of democracy are by and large unquestionable, and can be seen in most democracies around the world today. But there is one aspect of democracy on which attention is increasingly focused by statisticians, politicians, and economists. This aspect is the loss of a truly democratic framework. This framework is the elaborate paraphernalia and infrastructure which makes democracy the most expensive form of government, even though it looks simple at first glance.

The people elect representatives in an election and these representatives carry on the day-to-day administration of government. So far so simple. And yet the great philosopher & reformer Edmund Burke warned in the 18th century that, “Corrupt influence is itself the perennial spring of all prodigality, and of all disorder; it loads us more than millions of debt; takes away vigor from our arms, wisdom from our councils, and every shadow of authority and credit from the most venerable parts of our constitution.” That corruption is a fast growing evil, now as it was then in Burke’s time. The conclusion has in fact been drawn that there was never anything devised by the wit of man which, in course of time, has not been corrupted. Democracy is no different. Corruption has continued and increased beyond measure even as democracy has spread and civilization has advanced. It can no longer be asserted that democracy and corruption are incompatible. Both are developing fast and simultaneously. As far as human vision can go, this duality will continue.

Consequently the types of corruption have increased a thousand fold. The panorama is vast, baffling, and beyond control. Stringent laws, corruption measures, and deterrent sentences make no difference. Corruption goes on. Democracy goes on. The costs go higher all the time.

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