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Comment on M. N. Roy's notion of Organized Democracy. (10 Marks) [ Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) - Answer Writing Practice Paper 1]
M.N. Roy''s notion of organized democracy was one of the essential elements of his New Humanism. This was an attempt by Roy to provide an alternative to both liberal democracy as well as the Communist democratic system. He sought to re-orient democracy back to the humanist tradition, something that was critically missing in the prevailing models esp. liberal democracy.
Roy''s ideal democratic set-up was based on direct democracy, where people would be able to take active part in the governance process. What was suggested was not a rule of the "intellectual elite", but such "an organization of society as will give unlimited scope for the unfolding of the creative genius of man, by placing the executive power of the State under the control of free individuals - free from the influence of vested interests and also from the vagaries of the collective ego."
Roy criticized the power politics of political parties, which reduced the masses to mere numbers and did not permit participation of the majority except during elections. His organized democracy, therefore, had no political parties but was comprised of local republics that could decentralize power. He prescribed local people''s committees to select the candidates for contesting elections and assure that people know their representatives thoroughly.
However, Roy''s notion of organized democracy has been criticized for being too ideal to be put in practice, especially since it is nearly impossible for large democracies like India to operate without political parties. Even the belief in the moral conscience of the majority in power seems like an over- simplistic assumption, as history has taught us the dangers of relying on such abstract ideas of morality and majoritarianism.
In spite of this, Roy''s radical humanism and his notion of organized democracy provided a much-needed critique of modern democratic set-ups, most of which have been captured by few elites and have become distant from the foundational ideal of government of the people.
POSTED ON 20-07-2025 BY ADMIN
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