Peace and security for democracy and development
Peace and security, democracy and development support each other: without peace, elections and growth stall; without democracy and development, peace does not last.
A cycle that strengthens itself
- back to Peace and security
Why democracy and development need peace
- Elections can be held only when there is peace.
- Democratic institutions cannot work amid violence.
- Citizens can take part in decision-making only when peace prevails.
- No development work is possible during disturbance, violence or war.
Why peace needs democracy and development
- Democracies by and large do not go to war, so a region of democracies tends to be more peaceful.
- Democracy gives every citizen a chance to take part in governance, so it can remove the causes of public dissatisfaction.
- Development brings social and economic progress and a better quality of life, so people do not feel deprived and turn to violence.
- When every country in a region is developing, each one has a reason not to disturb the peace.
The world agrees
- The Millennium Development Goals were adopted by 189 UN members on 8 September 2000. They named peace and security as key conditions for development.
- The 2005 World Summit said that development, peace and security, and human rights are interlinked and mutually reinforcing.
When a district once troubled by violence becomes calm, schools reopen, roads get built and elections run smoothly. Peaceful panchayat and state elections across India show how peace and democracy feed each other.
3 marks: “Do you agree that peace and security are related to democracy and development? Justify your answer.” Yes. (1) Without peace, elections, democratic institutions and development work cannot go on. (2) Democracy gives everyone a voice and removes causes of discontent, and democracies by and large do not go to war. (3) Development improves lives and reduces the deprivation that leads to violence.
1 marks: “How many UN members adopted the Millennium Development Goals in September 2000?” 189.
2 marks: “Why is peace necessary for democracy?” Elections can be held, democratic institutions can work and citizens can take part in decision-making only when there is peace.
Peace feeds democracy and development; democracy and development feed peace. A loop, not a line.