Page 198 - SST Class 06

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Basic Features of a

Democratic Government

Democracy is a form of government in which all since the 17th century. They were not given the
eligible citizens have an equal say in the deci- right to vote and could not own land. Separate
sions that affect their lives. Democracy allows areas were chosen for different races. Nor-whites
people to participate equally—either directly or had to carry identification papers. There were
through elected representatives—in the proposal, other laws passed later. This is what they pro-
development and creation of laws. It encom- posed— no inter-mixing among races, separate
passes social, economic and cultural conditions public facilities and different educational stan-
that enable the free and equal practice of political dards. Certain jobs were denied to non-whites,
self-determination. The term ‘democracy’, they were also not allowed to form labour unions
originates from the Greek word: δημοκρατία or participate in government.
(dēmokratía), which translates to “rule of the But, by the 1970s, people all over the world
people”. This term was used around 400 BCE to began to demand that this practice be ended.
denote the political systems then existing in Even in Africa, different groups got together to
Greek city-states, notably Athens. demand the end of this unfair system. The
A democratic government contrasts two forms of African National Congress was one of the leading
government where power is either held by one, groups with Nelson Mandela as its leader.
as in a monarchy or where power is held by a Through his 27-year imprisonment Mandela
small number of individuals, as in an oligarchy or became the most widely-known figure in the
aristocracy. Nevertheless, these oppositions, struggle against apartheid. He continued his
inherited from Greek philosophy are now ambig- struggle even after his release in 1990. In 1991,
uous because contemporary governments have President F.W. De Klerk abolished laws relating to
mixed democratic, oligarchic and monarchic
elements. Several variants of democracy exist,
but there are two basic forms, both of which
concern how the whole body of citizens executes
its will— direct democracy and representative
democracy.
APARTHEID

Apartheid in Afrikaans (the language spoken in
South Africa) means 'apartness' or 'separateness'.
This is the name of the policy of racial segrega-
tion which was followed in South Africa. It led to
discrimination against Non-European groups.
Blacks were separated from the whites in South
Separate Areas were Chosen for Different Races
Africa. Dutch settlers had followed this practice
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