Introduction
In the modern political discourse the term of the Democracy and the Civil Society hugely used. In the socio-political discourse of Bangladesh where Civil Society is considered as a new concept there is no consensus on its scope and premiere. The most commonplace view about Civil Society is that it compromises non-governmental, non-profit, non-political organizations and associations that exist to promote multiple interests of groups of citizen .These groups include the organs of press and broadcasting, trade unions, religions, sports, environment community hobbies and other various organizations representing the interest of the aged or the disabled(Kabir&Khan2002)
Democracy is also well known in Bangladesh since the British colonial rule and Pakistani rule because through the general election of 1954 and 1970 Bangladesh enjoys the result of Democracy and for that she was thirsty for the independence and tries to ensure the Public rule in the name of Democracy.
The Meaning and definition of Democracy
Democracy is coming (derived) from the two Greek words, Demos and kratos or Kratia. Demos mean Public and kratos or kratia means Power of Rule. So, in Toto it means Public power rule.
Professor Seely said that, “Democracy is a government in which everyone has a share.” And Professor Dicey said that,” Democracy is a system of government in which governing body is a comparatively large fraction of the total population.”
According to Professor C.F Strong,” Democracy implies that government which shall rest on active consent of the governed.
Best definition of Democracy is given by the Ex-President Abraham Linckon of America. He said that,” Democracy is a government of the people, by the people and for the people.”
Now we can say that Democracy is not a way of governing, whether by majority or otherwise, but primarily a way of determining who shall govern and broadly, to what ends.
Types of Democracy
Two types of Democracy (a) Direct Democracy (It is absent in the present world except Switzerland) and (b) Indirect or Representative Democracy (more or less it is present all over the world and the people of modern world are thirsty for the democracy).
The characteristics of Democracy
Now I would like to present here some characteristics of Democracy to clear the notion of Democracy. They are alike:
· Public Rights to be protected by law
· Multi-Party system
· Independence of Judiciary
· Rule of Law
· Change of power by the democratic way (Election)
· Independence of Media
· Vote of Rights
· Good governance
· Transparency in Administration and
· Accountability of all organization of state
· Checks and Balance among the different organization
· Ensure the Fundamental rights and human rights of mass people
· And Public oriented government to serve the nation and country
The Problems of Democracy
Though democracy has many good aspects but it is not above the criticism or problems. Democracy has many problems (demerits of democracy) in all over the world. Now I would like to present here these kinds of problems in accordance to Bangladesh….
· It is a governing system of short term
· To direct the state it spends huge money of the state
· There is absent of the long term project
· Sometimes it involves into the one party autocratic
· Illiterate, terrorist and anti-social people elected as a member of the parliament by gaining the majority support
· It is unable to take the rapid decision or to change radically
· It creates the parochial party based politics
· And creates the tail-based politics in the different organs and institutions of the state
Meaning and Definition of Civil Society
By analyzing a number of historical and contemporary documents, the researchers have found that defining the concept of Civil Society has always been contentious and it has become quite fashionable today. The different social and political thinkers have used the concept of Civil Society from the days of Hegel, Marx and this now. Although the concept of Civil Society has become a buzzword for political scientist, practitioners and for development agencies, it has taken about two thousand and five hundred years to come to its contemporary connotation. Primarily, the major breakthrough in the fruition of this concept has been made by Hegel’s Philosophy of Right and of State, and Marx’s early writings including Economic and Philosophical Manuscript of 1844. However, the concept of and meaning of Civil Society becomes clear by the hands of Adam Ferguson, a Scottish Enlightenment thinker of the 18th century through his celebrated work titled’ an essay on the History of Civil Society’, first published in 1767(Sen,2001).
Generally Civil Society is viewed as a sphere of association in society in distinction to the state, involving a network of institutions through which society and groups within it represent themselves in cultural, ideological and political senses (Ali, 2006). Sen2001 argues that in Sociology the terms society, state and Civil Society comprise a thematic theoretical construction where society indicates a network of social relationships which includes both state and Civil Society (Sen2001).
During the 18th century the notion of Civil Society was introduced by political theorist as a domain parallel to, but separate from the state (Ghush-Pasha, 2004). This means the concept of Civil Society is indicates something more than political society or the state (Bottomore, 1963:p.15; c.f Sen, 2001). Regarding this view Sen considers Civil Society as the structure of socialization, association and organized form of communication to the extent that these are institutionalized or are the process of being institutionalized.
An Italian Marxist Gramsci gives a political theory of notion of v Civil Society and hegemony. He imagines that Civil Society is the location where the state operates to reinforce invisible, intangible and subtle forms of power, through educational cultural and religious systems and other institutions. Gramsci’s conceptualization of Civil Society is accordingly Hegelian (Kabir, 2002). He also emphasizes that institutions of the Civil Society are outer earth works of the state. It is through the same the ruling classes maintain their dominance in society (Ali, 2001).
History of Civil Society and Democracy in Bangladesh
Civil Society and Democracy both terms are used in this sub-continent from the British Colonial rule. To ensure the Democracy the British Naval officer Alan Auctovian Hume supported the Indian’s people to make the political party. In 1885 the Indian National Congress Party was established. And in 1906 the Muslim League Party also established. Through these two political parties subcontinent started to enjoy the democracy. And these two political parties have a huge contribution to make two independent countries.
In Bangladesh it is established by the election of 1954 and 1970. And then Democracy is going on but sometimes it is fall in danger by the autocratic rule and military rule which is known as unconstitutional government. The people of Bangladesh enjoy the Representative form of government. They can elect the government by applying the vote of rights.
Civil Society is very ancient term in subcontinent because it is continuing with the progress of civilization. But it is hugely known in this area since the British rule. And it is established in Bangladesh by the academician after the independence of Bangladesh.
The former chief justice Mahmud Hassan also expresses his view by arguing that the military, the police, the individual, the bureaucracy, the political parties and the market are forms of the concept of civil society (Kabir, 2002). The former President of Bangladesh Shahbuddin Ahmeds has given an idea about The Civil Society in the context of Bangladeshi society. His definition includes both the unorganized as well the professional groups as members of the civil society.
In Bangladesh, the state still interferes in the human rights and personal life of the individual. Indeed, the state failed to bring different political paths in one platform. Here class based politics is weak as well as hatred and disregard prevails among people about religion based politics (Majumder, 1998).
Characteristics of Civil Society
The key features of the successful civil societies emanating from various definitions including separation from the state and market; formed by the people when have common needs, interests and values like tolerance, inclusion, co-operation and equality; and development through a fundamentally endogenous and autonomous process which cannot easily be controlled from outside(Ghaus-pasha,2004). Whereas Gramsci had been interest in the role of The Civil Society in co-operating with the political apparatus of the state to make capitalism politically viable, contemporary liberal democratic analysis concentrates on the role of The Civil Society in keeping the state in check (Khan, 2000). The Civil Society is thus a hazy concept not clear to all.
So, now I would like to present here some characteristics of Civil Society. They are alike: ----
· Non-Political
· Non-governmental and
· Non-Profitable organization
· Organized to promote general people’s interest
· To create pressure in decision making of government
· Create pressure to government to make Public oriented Public Policy
The problems of the Civil Society
The Civil Society has many good aspects but it is not above the criticism and problems. The Civil Society of Bangladesh has many problems. Now, I would like to present here some problems of The Civil Society in accordance to Bangladesh: -----
· There is a debate about the income of The Civil Society
· Sometimes many anti-social people take the support of The Civil Society
· What is their main duty to the state it is not clear to the mass people
· Someone claim that The Civil Society is the agent of the international donor agencies and corporate groups
· Sometimes The Civil Society is biased by the different political parties
· The division of The Civil Society is very dangerous for the development of the political stability
The relationship between Democracy and Civil Society
There is a deep relation between these two modern political discourses and sometimes they are interdependent. Democracy is established by the support and the direction of the civil society. The Civil Society has a great influence to ensure the Democracy in any type of country. Because they can aware the mass people by their writings, speech and activities. General people follow the instruction of The Civil Society according to demand of time and place. The Civil Society can spread their thinking and thought by the help of Media. That’s why Media is known as the fourth pillar of the state.
Where is Democracy there is The Civil Society. Without Democracy no one can think about the Civil Society. Because democracy ensures the freedom of speech, freedom of movement and freedom of associations.
Recommendation to resolve the problems
As a student of the M.S.S programme, I would like to present here some recommendations to reduce the above problems of The Civil Society and Democracy. They are alike: ----
· To ensure the proper democracy and the system of The Civil Society Education should be spread all over the country
· To ensure the actual democracy the political parties must have good understanding among themselves
· They must have to reduce the parochial thinking and thought to ensure the development
· They have to believe each other political activities
· The Civil Society have to be more public oriented to be trusted to the general people
· State shall have no interference into the functions of The Civil Society
· Political party should have reduce their mistrust about The Civil Society
· And to create an environment where democracy and The Civil Society can work freely to ensure the human rights.
Concluding remarks
At the end of this discussion, I would like to say that The Civil Society and democracy are the two major political terms. To ensure the real development of our beloved Bangladesh we have to work together. The people of Bangladesh achieve their desire independence by sacrificing their lives and blood. So, it cannot be desire of present generation to work against the independence.
To make a clear concept of the Civil Society and democracy people of Bangladesh should be educated and dedicated about these terms and terminologies. We have to be more conscious about these modern political discourses. And then we can be more successful.
References:
1. Social Science Review-2010, (Page: 1 to 10)
2. Ali, A.M.M Shawkat (2006) “Are Civil Societies born or created” The New Age, 7th September, 2006
3. Ghaus-Pasha (2004) “Role of Civil Society organization in Governance”
4. Kabir, Mohammad Humayun (2002) “ The state of the Civil Society in Bangladesh”.
5. Khan, Mushtaq (2000) “ The Role of Civil Society and patron-client networks in the Analysis of corruption”, European Journal of Development Research.
6. Majumder, Shantanu (1998) Role of Civil Society in Bangladesh: An Overview”. Social Science Review, vol. xv. No 2, page 133 to 141
7. Sen, Rangalal (2001) “An Evolution of the Western Concept of Civil Society from Plato to the Present: An appraisal”. The Dhaka Universities Studies, June, 2001
Democracy and Civil Society in Bangladesh
Good Presentation.
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