Write an essay on the following topic in not more than 1000-1200 words:

Relevance of Democracy in the Face of New Global and Domestic Threats  

“Democracy is one of the most challenging forms of government, both for the people and politicians”-- Abraham Lincoln

Creating a democracy is only a small part of the work that goes into running a free and open state. Even if a democracy is successfully established, it must constantly maintain itself. The maintenance may be as simple as hosting occasional elections and hosting forums for discussion. However, internal and external threats constantly generate challenges and reveal shortcomings in the democracy. It must reconcile and recover in order to survive things falling apart. The context of democracies has changed drastically over the last few hundred years. Since India’s Indepedence, the nature of wars, types of challenges, and means of information gathering have transformed. In order to balance order and freedom, our democracy must evolve new strategies of recovery and maintenance.

Terrorism vs. Civil War

The threats India currently faces, however, stem from terrorist attacks. Since these attacks typically target public spaces, citizens become increasingly worried about an attack occurring somewhere near them. Libraries, malls, airports, and schools are potential targets. Citizens become increasingly worried about an attack occurring somewhere during their daily routine. Civil wars are slightly more predictable, with groups staking out territory within the country. Unlike civil war where citizens are forming alliances and fighting each other, the country faces attacks from an external group. The attackers are people who look like residents and have snuck into the country, or are actually residents. Citizens look suspiciously at each other in the hopes of identifying a potential terrorist. With this increased doubt between citizens, and worries about visiting certain places, the government must faces challenges quite distinct from civil war, even though in both cases, the attacks occur within the country.

The government and citizens are united against the threat, and hold the common goal of maintaining the current regime. The government fighting terrorism has more political power to wield, than a government embroiled in civil war, since it is united with its citizens. Although the government and citizens share the same objective, the government’s political power may be weakened if there is public disapproval of how the government should respond to the attacks.

The government in both types of conflict must take steps that impact the liberties of residents. Security measures are inwardly focused, and must maintain stability without violating the country’s principles. As a peaceful world power, India must act in ways that are both appropriate in the political context, and in line with its core values. This is vital while maintaining, protecting, and rebuilding democracy.