Opposition in a Parliamentary Democracy
| Author | J. Zahluna |
| Published date | 01 October 2014 |
| Date | 01 October 2014 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1177/0019556120140409 |
OPPOSITION IN A PARLIAMENTARY
DEMOCRACY
J.ZAHLUNA
Modern democracies
are
representative
in
character.
The
essence
of
parliamentary
deniocracy
lies
in
the
tolerance
on
the
part
of
the
majority
as
well
as
the
minority.
If
democratic
parliamentary
institutions
are
to
function,
an
effective
and
viable
Opposition is
an
essential prerequisite.
The
importance
of
a
strong opposition
in
a parliamentary
democracy
cannot
be
over
emphasised.
There
can
be
no
democratic government without
an
effective Opposition and that
too
has
to
be
a strong and
responsible
one.
It
is
an
organised and effective
Opposition
that
constantly keeps
the
government
in
checks.
The·
Opposition
criticises and exposes
the
lapses and acts
of
omission and
commission
of
the government and offers alternatives.
The
functions
of
the
Opposition
are
almost important
as
those
oft
he
.
government.
The
Opposition sharpens
the
governments policy
by
its
criticism and prevents
abuses
by
its
"watchful
eye
".
DEMOCRACY
IS
a government by discussion and discussion pre-supposes
arguments and counter arguments. Parliamentary democracy is considered
to
be the best fonn
of
government because
in
this system, there
is
scope
for the people to reflect their wishes and grievances through their elected
representatives on the floor
of
the House. Parliamentary form
of
government
is a method
of
arguments, discussion and decision
of
the majority and
of
accepting the majority decision providing for the right
of
the individual to
hold a different view. Here, all points
of
views are expressed and discussed.
As there could be always at least two sets
of
views on any subject, there
could be at least two political parties. The essence
of
Parliamentary
.
democracy, therefore, basically lies
in
the fact that the majority has its
way and the minority has its say. As Laski pointed out,
"Men
who are to
live together peacefully must be able
to
argue together peacefully" .1
'Harold
J.
Laski,
Parliamentary Government
in
England,
S.
Chand,
New
Delhi.
p.
75
•.
1975.
.
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