Democratic governance is based
on a number of intertwined basic premises, the first is fundamental freedoms for
all which means that human beings are the ultimate measure of all human values,
and the second is equality of all, so that everyone receives the same. And the
third basic premise is universal participation in the governing process.
Although I’m unable to synchronize many of the basic premises of democracy with
my own concepts, as being a Muslim I believe that literates and illiterates
cannot be equal and no doubt there must not be any other ground of superiority
of inferiority, also a system which considers both literates and illiterates as
equal can never give a remarkable outcome. Besides this we are unable to
implement democracy in its true spirits in Pakistan. We are have nurtured our
generations in circles of different classes; arein,Jutt,Gujar,Rajpoot,Dogar;
which consider themselves superior than many other casts which are known to be
inferiors or “Kami”. So it seems democracy is just a system of electing
individuals for government it hasn’t brought any change in behaviors of society.
In ideal democracy the above stated principles are the foundations of a style of
governance which draws on three implicit virtues: equality, empathy and
tolerance. Further, not only the substance but the process or means by which
these conditions are met are equally important; as is the commitment of the
state in furthering them. As Emmette S. Redford noted, “Democratic morality will
be meaningful only if processes exist through which each person, with tolerance
of the same opportunity for others, has opportunity for meaningful
participation” (Redford, 1969: 8). Of course, there are some who feel that
democratic governance encourages pluralism is a divisive force. However, we also
know that the history of civilization attests to the fact that attempts to the
fact that attempts by various rulers, dictators, conquerors to subdue or bring
everyone into one fold, one creed, or one culture or opinion, have failed over
time. Instead, diversity of thought, action, belief and worship resulting in
respect and goodwill for others, is a condition for social peace. Democracy,
with its faith in tolerance and freedom, provides the opportunity to make
choices and direct the pursuit of life either individually or in harmony with
others.
The practice of “democratic governance” requires the involvement of both the
elected and appointed officials who are competent and ethical in the art of
statecraft. The goals of a democratic state are generally reflected through
governmental policy pronouncements as well as by legal instrument. A public
policy is based on legal norms, is authoritative, affects a large area of
people’s lives, and its effects are profound. In a democracy citizens
participate, however, indirectly, in the process of public-policy making. They
are responsible for putting elected officials in power, who in turn initiate
many policy decisions. Therefore, these citizens are also partly responsible for
its actions. Furthermore, because the government is supposed to represent their
constituency’s values and way of life. Thus, any governmental action, or
governmental policy, whatever its intent reflects, directly or indirectly, moral
concerns.