World admires Indian democracy, says Aus PM

Oracle

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At a time when people in the Middle East are making moves to steer the region towards democracy, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard on Wednesday said that the world admired India's example as a true democracy.

"Momentous as the changes in the Middle East are, I believe it is in the Asia-Pacific where the global order is changing the most. We admire India's example as a true democracy," Gillard said in her address to the joint session of the US Congress.


"We never forget Indonesia's transition to create the world's third-largest democracy in the world's largest Islamic country. We applaud China's lifting some 500 million people out of poverty. The centre of global strategic and economic weight is shifting to this region. The rise of the Asia-Pacific will define our times," she said.


Gillard acknowledged that Australia's relationship with China is important and complex. "We encourage China to engage as a good global citizen, and we are clear-eyed about where differences do lie. My guiding principle is that prosperity can be shared," she said.


"Our growing engagement with key countries in the region, like Japan, India, South Korea and Indonesia, is enormously welcome."


Gillard, who is on her first official visit to the US after becoming Australia's first woman prime minister said, "We will work closely with you to strengthen the fabric of these relationships and underpin regional stability, strengthening regional institutions, so that the countries of the Asia-Pacific increasingly manage the frictions of a growing and changing Asia-Pacific".

Gillard said new global realities and the emerging economic weight of countries like China, India and Brazil meant the vital forum for the global response was the leaders of the G-20 nations.


"My predecessor, Kevin Rudd, worked hard to ensure this was so. The world needed a global response to the economic crisis, and global leadership was vital. Together the G-20 coordinated $ 5 trillion in fiscal stimulus for the global economy," she said.


"While there has been very real pain, the global response averted true economic disaster. Economic stimulus has been crucial to limit the worst effects of the downturn. Economic reform is crucial now to deliver the best hopes for a strong recovery," she added.

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badguy2000

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If one N.Korean were to ask me what I think of "the life of N.Koreans", I also would politely comfort him that "the world indeed admires the true socialism of N.Koreans",just as Mr. Julia Gillard did with "admirable India true democracy".

BTW,the papers in N.Korea always reports every day that "the World admires the life of N.Koreans".
 
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Rage

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If one N.Korean were to ask me what I think of "the life of N.Koreans", I also would politely comfort him that "the world indeed admires the true socialism of N.Koreans",just as Mr. Julia Gillard did with "admirable India true democracy".

BTW,the papers in N.Korea always reports every day that "the World admires the life of N.Koreans".
What is the "true socialism of the North Koreans"? Empty buildings in Pyongyang?

You really don't know better do you?

There is only one reason the world admires the democracy of the Indians. And, that is because it has survived numerous political cataclysms, a myriad of differently-cultured peoples bound by nothing other than a common strand of religion and a plethora of languages so vast and diverse it is difficult to understand. We are not a homogenous mass like the Chinese, don't impute your experience to us. If you studied Indian history and the cultures of its peoples, you would marvel at how democracy has stood the test of time. The world admires democracy in India for its resilience, not for its achievements.............................. atleast not yet.
 

tarunraju

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There's nothing admirable about Indian democracy other than that it's very effective in being able to accomodate all sections of the society. Beyond that, Indian democracy is very superficial and hollow. Jiski lathi uski bhains.
 

JBH22

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There's nothing admirable about Indian democracy other than that it's very effective in being able to accomodate all sections of the society. Beyond that, Indian democracy is very superficial and hollow. Jiski lathi uski bhains.
x2 India is a so called democracy with a disguised monarchy,but then a perfect state exists only under communist ideals. Btw until the arrival of BJP Indian democracy was almost something like USSR with only the communist party
 
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tarunraju

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x2 India is a so called democracy with a disguised monarchy,but then a perfect state exists only under communist ideals.
Without sounding anarchist, a perfect state is a non-state (where there is a state, but is vastly decentralized has minimal intervention into the lives of people), for example, Canada and the Nordic countries. The next-best thing is a proper (on-paper) democracy in which the people are at least allowed to have a say once they've elected a government.

In India, democracy comes to a complete pause once elections are over, and then it resumes just in time for the next elections. In between, there are large periods of blatant autocracy and oligarchy.
 

pmaitra

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x2 India is a so called democracy with a disguised monarchy,but then a perfect state exists only under communist ideals. Btw until the arrival of BJP Indian democracy was almost something like USSR with only the communist party
I beg to disagree. India has always had opposition parties and the fact that Congress ruled for most of post-Independence India has got a lot to do with Congress Party's involvement in the freedom struggle. I do not see any reason to compare India with the USSR. The fact that the opposition parties have not had much scope in ruling India is also attributable to their own failings.
 

JBH22

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I beg to disagree. India has always had opposition parties and the fact that Congress ruled for most of post-Independence India has got a lot to do with Congress Party's involvement in the freedom struggle. I do not see any reason to compare India with the USSR. The fact that the opposition parties have not had much scope in ruling India is also attributable to their own failings.
I said that until the arrival of BJP did we have an effective opposition party to the Congress otherwise it was a one party country. Indian democracy is too flawed to be used as an example of course there are a lot of positive points but it is still not what we can call a stable democracy.

Without sounding anarchist, a perfect state is a non-state (where there is a state, but is vastly decentralized has minimal intervention into the lives of people), for example, Canada and the Nordic countries. The next-best thing is a proper (on-paper) democracy in which the people are at least allowed to have a say once they've elected a government.

In India, democracy comes to a complete pause once elections are over, and then it resumes just in time for the next elections. In between, there are large periods of blatant autocracy and oligarchy.
Nordic countries are good example of welfare state these countries you mentioned do not have similar economic,ethnic or external problems that India has. The lack of good governance only hinders our progress

PS: Having said that the overall trajectory of India is positive but considering that we could have achieved more i find that disappointing.
 
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pmaitra

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I said that until the arrival of BJP did we have an effective opposition party to the Congress otherwise it was a one party country. Indian democracy is too flawed to be used as an example of course there are a lot of positive points but it is still not what we can call a stable democracy.
Of course not. India isn't the perfect example of democracy. In effect, most of the times, Congress ruled. Do you know the greatest strength of Congress? They are adaptive. Here are a few examples:
  • Congress has always been a centre-left party, yet did not hesitate to start strategic partnership with the US.
  • Congress has always been pro-Arab and pro-Palestine, yet did not hesitate to forge military partnerships with Israel.
  • Congress has always been pro-centrist, with strong control over the economy by the centre, but did not hesitate to liberalise the economy when the time was more or less right.
Humans are opportunistic. Some are idealists and rigid. They stick to their ideologies. I respect that. However, most voters are the majority of masses, are humans and are opportunistic as well. Congress keeps appealing to the wants of the masses. It keeps winning. Congress is in touch with the grassroots more than many other parties. As long as Congress maintains this character, it will remain a formidable force in Indian politics.
 

JBH22

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Of course not. India isn't the perfect example of democracy. In effect, most of the times, Congress ruled. Do you know the greatest strength of Congress? They are adaptive. Here are a few examples:
  • Congress has always been a centre-left party, yet did not hesitate to start strategic partnership with the US.
  • Congress has always been pro-Arab and pro-Palestine, yet did not hesitate to forge military partnerships with Israel.
  • Congress has always been pro-centrist, with strong control over the economy by the centre, but did not hesitate to liberalise the economy when the time was more or less right.
Humans are opportunistic. Some are idealists and rigid. They stick to their ideologies. I respect that. However, most voters are the majority of masses, are humans and are opportunistic as well. Congress keeps appealing to the wants of the masses. It keeps winning. Congress is in touch with the grassroots more than many other parties. As long as Congress maintains this character, it will remain a formidable force in Indian politics.
I'm not saying its a Congress,BJP issue but what democracy really means for the masses for the elite or middle class its a trendy thing. I really believe that we have few reasons to be proud of the current system there's lot of work to be done.
 

pmaitra

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I'm not saying its a Congress,BJP issue but what democracy really means for the masses for the elite or middle class its a trendy thing. I really believe that we have few reasons to be proud of the current system there's lot of work to be done.
I think we are headed in the right direction. During my recent visit to India, I saw some significant changes. Policemen on the roads and TTE in the trains were more honest. I did not see bribery at all, that was so common a decade back. There are many new news channels and many more shades of opinions are available to the people, even those that do not have access to the internet. While there is room for improvement, of which there is not doubt, I think we have reasons to hope for a better tomorrow. Just being optimistic.
 

SHASH2K2

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I think we are headed in the right direction. During my recent visit to India, I saw some significant changes. Policemen on the roads and TTE in the trains were more honest. I did not see bribery at all, that was so common a decade back. There are many new news channels and many more shades of opinions are available to the people, even those that do not have access to the internet. While there is room for improvement, of which there is not doubt, I think we have reasons to hope for a better tomorrow. Just being optimistic.
well just 3 days back i was forced to give 150 rs bribe to a TTE to give me a seat to just sit. I was on my way to Kolkata and had to give 150 rs just to sit from Bardaman to Kolkata . only 1.5 hrs journey. what do you say?
 

pmaitra

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well just 3 days back i was forced to give 150 rs bribe to a TTE to give me a seat to just sit. I was on my way to Kolkata and had to give 150 rs just to sit from Bardaman to Kolkata . only 1.5 hrs journey. what do you say?
I have three things to say:
  1. Your experience: It was unfortunate.
  2. Post #11: We have room for improvement.
  3. From a holistic perspective: We are headed in the right direction.
 

nrj

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For the people, of the people, by the people. Thats Indian democracy.

If Indian democracy is ineffective for masses then its inability of Indians in placing right people on right places.

Although its true that prominence of this system is flawed unless it sensibly advantages all sectors of Indian population.
 
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mayfair

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When I hear a western (Australia is in South hemisphere but that's besides the point) express admiration of our flawed democracy, the skeptic in me can't help but wonder if deep inside they are thinking "Oh why couldn't you be more like Pakistanis and Africans?"
 
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pmaitra

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When I hear a western (Australia is in South hemisphere but that's besides the point) express admiration of our flawed democracy, the skeptic in me can't help but wonder if deep inside they are thinking "Oh why couldn't you be more like Pakistanis and Africans?"
:tea:

LOL, that was an amazing and a very thoughtful comment. I am pretty sure many in the world do admire India despite being:
  • East of Pakistan
  • South-East of Afghanistan
  • South-West of PRC
Yet, it is a democracy, a responsible nuclear power, making steady progress in science, technology and education, compared to its neighbours. Of course PRC has achieved more in certain spheres, but for the occidentals, it is but a choice between the two: either admire India or hate India; ignoring India is simply not an option.

P.S.: Australia is considered western because most of the people follow a culture similar to that of, and speak a language from, Europe (Britain to be precise). Furthermore, Australia and New Zealand are officially still parts of the British Empire, albeit in actu they are independent. Both countries sport the British Union Flag in their respective national flags, and the monarch of both the countries is Elizabeth II.
 

Rage

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We tend to remain skeptical about a lot of things. Our exposure to the shit all around us, while our country changes, while it goes through its capitalist birth-pangs, is, I guess, responsible for much of it. Believe me, if the Chinese were exposed to the media, to the things going on around them all over their country, while it changed in the 1990's, they would have revolted. Ignorance is bliss, I guess. But to us, a different system, knowledge is power. We can learn from them and their mistakes. For starters, by not fvcking up our environment.
 

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There is no problem with democracy is India and is one of the best in the world given the diversity that overflows this country. The only problem is the quality of law makers that are getting elected with least responsibility and accountability. Once that aberration or flaw is take care, I think we will progress much faster than we are progressing right now.
 

sandeepdg

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When I hear a western (Australia is in South hemisphere but that's besides the point) express admiration of our flawed democracy, the skeptic in me can't help but wonder if deep inside they are thinking "Oh why couldn't you be more like Pakistanis and Africans?"
^ Yeah, I too feel like that most of the time. Its like they are being sarcastic that we did became a democracy and survived this long, since when they come here and see for themselves the madness on the streets, or hear stories about the weird things that happen only in India, the amount of corruption that is prevalent here, they feel we should have been a country similar to an impoverished African country that they can exploit anytime, and not an would be superpower that has the capability to exploit them one day.
 
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