Democracy is a system of government implemented in several countries. One of them, Indonesia. Democracy in Indonesia places the people as the highest authority. “From the people, by the people, for the people”, is the motto of democracy in Indonesia.
So, what is democracy really like? How is it implemented? In the following, we will discuss democracy, from concept to examples, which have been summarized from various pages on the internet.
Definition of Democracy According to Experts
In the Big Indonesian Dictionary (KBBI), democracy is defined as a form or system) of government in which all the people participate in governing through their representatives; people’s government; an idea or view of life that prioritizes equal rights and obligations as well as equal treatment for all citizens.
To better understand democracy, the following is the definition of democracy according to several experts.
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According to Joseph A. Schemer
Democracy is interpreted as an institutional plan to reach political decisions in which each individual gains the power to decide how to compete competitively for the voice of the people.
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According to Sydney Hook
Meanwhile, according to Sidney Hook, democracy is a form of government in which important government decisions are directly or indirectly based on the majority agreement given freely from the adult people.
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According to Philippe C. Schmitter and Terry Lynn Karl
Meanwhile, according to Philippe C. Schmitter and Terry Lynn Karl, democracy is a system of government in which the government is held accountable for their actions in the public sphere by citizens, who act indirectly through competition and cooperation with their elected representatives.
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According to Henry B. Mayo
Henry B. Mayo expressed his views on democracy, namely that the political system is a system which shows that public policy is determined on the basis of a majority by representatives who are effectively supervised by the people in periodic elections which are based on the principle of political equality and are held in an atmosphere of guarantee political freedom.
In Affan Ghaffar’s view, democracy is classified into two groups, namely normative democracy and empirical democracy. Normative democracy is a democracy that ideally will be carried out by a country. Meanwhile, empirical democracy is democracy in its manifestation in the world of practical politics.
Universally Applicable Principles of Democracy
A system of government can be said to be democratic if the governance mechanism embodies the principles of democracy. These principles apply universally which serve as a benchmark for the success of a country’s democracy.
According to Inu Kencana Syafie, the principles of democracy apply universally as follows.
1. There is a division of power
The division of power within the state can adhere to the principles of democracy formulated by John Locke regarding the trias politica. State power is divided into 3 parts, namely executive, legislative, and judicial. The three institutions have the same degree so they cannot know each other.
2. Free General Elections
Sinaumed’s needs to remember and note that the highest sovereignty in a democracy is in the hands of the people. However, this sovereignty cannot be exercised directly by each individual. Sovereignty is also an aspiration for all citizens through the people’s representatives in the legislature.
People’s representatives are determined through general elections. Every citizen has the freedom to choose the desired representative. In general elections, coercion in any form is not permitted. General elections are also held to elect the president and vice president.
3. Open Management
The people need to be included in assessing the government so that it can minimize a rigid and authoritarian state. This can be realized if the government is accountable for the implementation of governance, development, and social services before the people.
4. Individual Freedom
Countries that adhere to a democratic system must guarantee the freedom of their citizens in various countries. Such as freedom of expression, freedom of association, freedom of business, and so on. However, this freedom must be exercised responsibly.
However, it should be noted that the freedom of one person will be limited by the freedom of another. Thus, every member of society can exercise the freedoms guaranteed by law without harming the interests of others.
5. Free Justice
The judiciary has freedom in carrying out its role through the division of powers. This institution cannot be influenced by other state institutions. In state practice, law is in the highest position. When everyone shakes hands before the law, they must be held accountable for their mistakes.
6. Recognition of Minority Rights
Every country must have a diversity of people on various sides. For example different ethnicity, race, religion, or class. Diversity within a country will shape the term majority group or minority group.
People from majority or minority groups have the same rights and obligations as citizens. Therefore, the state is obliged to protect all of its people without discriminating against one another.
7. Government Based on Law
Law has the highest position in the life of the state. Law becomes an instrument to regulate the life of the state. Thus, the state has the same position in law and governance.
8. Supremacy of Law
The law must be respected and made a priority by the people or the government. In law there is no arbitrariness allowed. Therefore, the government must be based on law in favor of justice.
9. Free Press
Countries that adhere to a democratic system must guarantee freedom of the press in conveying events that occur. Both writing about the government’s failure or voicing the rights of minority communities.
10. Some Political Parties
Political parties were established to accommodate the political aspirations of citizens. Every citizen is free to have a political party as he wishes. This is also supported by the state which gives freedom to all citizens to form political parties.
In 1999, the first multi-party general election (election) was held since the New Order. Each political party has basic ideals according to their respective political struggles. Political parties do not recognize a single principle. However, it should be noted that the establishment of a political party must be in accordance with existing regulations, it is not permissible to form a party with principles or ideologies that are prohibited by law.
Types of Democracy
Some countries adhere to a democratic system in running their government. They apply the democratic system with their own understanding. Some of these understandings can be summarized in three perspectives, namely ideology, ways of conveying the will of the people, and points of concern. The following describes the three points of view.
1. Based on Ideology
Democratic political systems based on an ideological point of view are grouped into two, namely constitutional democracy (liberal democracy) and people’s democracy. Constitutional democracy (liberal democracy) has its basis in the implementation of individual freedoms. The powers of the government are limited by the constitution. The meaning is that the government’s power is limited and it is not allowed to interfere and act arbitrarily against its citizens.
Meanwhile, people’s democracy has the goal of realizing a life without social class and without private property. Democracy of this form becomes a special form of democracy which fulfills the function of a proletarian dictatorship.
During the cold war, people’s democratic systems developed in a number of countries such as in Eastern European countries, such as Czechoslovakia, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia and China. The political system of people’s democracy is also referred to as “proletarian democracy” which aims at Marxism-communism.
2. Ways of Channeling the Will of the People
Based on the method of channeling the will of the people, democratic systems can be classified into three groups, namely direct democracy, representative democracy/representative democracy, and representative democracy with a referendum system. Here’s an explanation of the three.
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Direct Democracy
Governments that adhere to a direct democratic system provide opportunities for their citizens to express their opinions in meetings attended by the entire community. This democracy is applied to countries with a small population and small territory. One of the countries that ever implemented this system was Athens in Ancient Greece (IV century BC).
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Representative Democracy/Representative Democracy
Nowadays, the form of democracy that is applied is representative democracy. The reason is that the population continues to grow and the territory is vast, making it impossible to apply a direct democratic system. In a representative democracy, the people channel their wishes or opinions through their representatives who have sat in representative institutions (parliament).
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Referendum System Representative Democracy
Representative democracy in a referendum system consists of a combination of direct democracy and representative democracy. People can choose their representatives who will sit in representative institutions. However, these representative institutions are controlled by the influence of the people with a referendum system and people’s initiatives.
3. Point of Attention
Based on the point of concern, democratic political systems are classified into three groups, namely formal democracy, material democracy, and mixed democracy. The following provides a more detailed description of the three groups.
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Formal Democracy
Formal democracy is also known as liberal democracy or western model democracy. Formal democracy is a democratic political system that upholds equality in the political field without being accompanied by efforts to reduce or eliminate economic disparities. The degree and rights of every human being in the view of formal democracy are considered the same or equivalent.
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Material Democracy
Material democracy is a political-democratic system that has a focus on efforts to eliminate differences in economic fields. However, equality in the political field is not considered and is often omitted. Attempts to reduce differences in the economic field were carried out by the ruling party using the name of the state in which all state property rights and private property rights were not recognized.
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Joint Democracy
Mixed democracy consists of a fusion between formal democracy and material democracy. The welfare of all people’s activities is limited, but the equality and rights of every individual are recognized. The government must try not to repress and even eliminate human rights and equality.
Example of Democracy
Launching from the Bola.com page, here are simple examples of democracy that can be applied in everyday life.
1. All Family Members Have the Right to Submit Criticisms and Suggestions
As children and parents must respect each other. Every family member has the right to submit criticism, suggestions and opinions for the common good. Parents must be able to accept criticism and suggestions given by children. Vice versa.
2. Understanding Duties and Responsibilities in the Family
Usually, in every house there is a division of tasks to complete household chores. Each family member must complete the assigned task. They also have to help each other task. All family members must work together to complete household chores.
3. Consultation to Solve Family Problems
When there are problems or matters that must be negotiated, every family member must participate in deliberations to reach a consensus. In this way, it is hoped that each family member can accept decisions gracefully.
4. Respect the opinion of each family member
In the process of deliberation in the family must respect each other’s opinions. After all family members have expressed their opinions, a decision can be negotiated.
5. Putting Common Interests Above Personal Interests
All family members are given the opportunity to express their opinion when the deliberation takes place. Decisions in deliberations must also be acceptable to all family members. However, decisions must be taken by prioritizing common interests above personal interests.
6. Election of Head of Organization or Head of Class
The election of the head of an organization or class leader in a school is an example of a simple democracy that can be implemented in schools. The election is usually done by collecting the votes of the school community. This election can adapt the general election system.
7. Respect the Opinions of Others
Humans are social creatures. Therefore, humans always socialize with each other even though with a small intensity. In socializing, there are often differences of opinion.
Differences of opinion can occur in the process of deliberation, discussion of lessons, or meetings. Therefore, we must mutually respect the opinions of others as an example of a democratic attitude.
8. Participate in Citizens’ Meetings
All levels of society have the right to participate and express their opinions. The overall opinion is used as the basis for making decisions together.