3.1 - Why Should People Decide

In a democratic system of government, the power to make decisions that affect the lives of citizens should rest with the people. This is a fundamental idea of democracy. The role of the people in decision-making is important because it ensures that laws and policies are made in a way that reflects the needs and desires of the general population. In this subtopic, we will discuss why it is crucial for people to be involved in decisions about laws and governance.

Democracy is based on the idea that power should come from the people. This is why voting is a central feature of democratic systems. In India, for example, citizens elect representatives to the Parliament, who then make laws on their behalf. The reason why it is important for people to decide in matters of lawmaking is because:

• Ensures Fair Representation: When people participate in decision-making, it ensures that the voices of different groups within society are heard. This helps to create laws that cater to the needs of various sections of the population.
• Strengthens Accountability: Elected representatives are accountable to the people. They are expected to make laws that reflect the interests of their constituents. If the people do not agree with the decisions being made, they have the power to vote out representatives in the next election.
• Promotes Inclusivity: Decision-making that includes all sections of society is important for creating just and equitable laws. Laws made without the participation of the people can lead to unfair and biased policies.
• Improves Legitimacy of Laws: When laws are made by elected representatives who reflect the will of the people, those laws are seen as legitimate and just. If laws are made without the people’s consent, they may face resistance and lack effectiveness.

People’s involvement in decision-making can take different forms:

• Direct Participation: In some cases, people directly participate in decision-making through referendums or public consultations. This allows people to vote on specific issues that affect them, such as changes to laws or policies.
• Indirect Participation: In most cases, people participate indirectly through the election of representatives. These representatives make decisions on their behalf in the legislature, such as the Parliament or state assemblies.

One of the key principles of a democratic system is that decisions should be made through a process of debate and discussion. In Parliament, for example, members of Parliament (MPs) from different political parties debate proposed laws. They represent the diverse views and concerns of the people they represent. This ensures that laws are made after considering all perspectives and not just the views of a single group.

To explain mathematically, let’s consider the representation of different groups in society as a function. If $f(x)$ represents the number of people from different groups involved in decision-making, a higher value of $f(x)$ ensures greater inclusivity and fairness in the laws made. Therefore, a democratic decision-making process can be seen as a function that maximizes $f(x)$, ensuring that all sections of society are represented.

In a democracy, the people have the ultimate power to decide what laws are fair and just. If the system of governance ignores the people’s role in decision-making, it may lead to laws that are unpopular and unjust, undermining the principles of democracy itself.