In 2004 a report published in U.S.A. pointed to the increasing inequalities in that country. Inequalities in income reflected in the participation of people in democracy. It also shaped their abilities to influence the decisions taken by the government. The report highlighted that :
If an average Black family earns $ 100 then the income of average White family is $ 162. A White family has twelve times more wealth than the average Black Family.
In a President’s election nearly 9 out of 10 individuals in families with income over $ 75,000 have voted. These people are the top 20 % of the population in terms of their income. On the other hand only 5 people out of 10 from families with income less than $ 15,000 have voted. They are the bottom 20% of the population in terms of their income.
About 95% contribution to the political parties comes from the rich. This gives them opportunity to express their opinion and concern, which is not available to most citizens.
As poor sections participate less in politics, the government does not listen to their concerns—coming out of povery, getting job, education, health care and housing from them. Politicians hear most regularly about the concerns of business and the most rich.
Write an essay on ‘Decmocracy and Poverty’ using the information given in this report but using examples from India.
Poverty is the root cause of various evils. The poor citizen cannot develop physically and mentally as he can’t get a square meal a day. He remains worried about earning his livelihood and has not time to think over the problems facing the country. The poor person does not even think about the elections. He can’t even use his right to vote independently. He can’t cast his vote against his employer. During elections the rich distribute blankets, cycles, sewing machines and other things among the poor so that they may get the votes of the poor. The poor person sells his vote even. The political parties too, take money from the capitalists and that is why the rich control the government.
Every political party tries to take political advantage of the people’s poverty. The poor are bluffed with the slogan that there would be no poverty or everybody would be given a home, clothes and food, etc. Cheated by these cheap slogans, the poor people give their votes. The Congress (I) won 1971 elections by raising the slogan ‘Garibi Hatao’. The people have lost faith in the government owing to poverty. Poverty has also made the people disinterested in government.
Thus, the poor are losing faith in democracy. Poverty is responsible to a great extent for violent movements. Therefore, the economic condition of the people should be improved to brighten the future of democracy in India.
