Role of Civil Services in a Democracy

Role of civil services in a democracy can be articulated well only if we are all aware with the terms democracy and civil services.

Democracy

The term democracy is obtained from the Greek word demokratia, where demos means people and Kratos means rule.

It is a form of government in which the people have the right or can say; the people have the authority to choose their legislation to govern.

The core issue with which the democracy deals is who people are and how authority is shared among them.

Besides these, the other topics with which democracy deals are freedom of speech, freedom to assemble, equality before the law, right to vote and many minors.

Types of Democracy

Though, it is exclamatory to thought types of democracy. But, on the real note, its type cannot be neglected.

Some of the major types of democracy, along with the functions and limitations are listed below:

Direct Democracy

In the direct democratic system, the rule of the people exists, means, the people can directly deliberate and take decisions on the legislative level.

Representative Democracy

In a representative democracy, the people, instead of taking decisions on their own, choose the representatives to deliberate and takes a decision on the legislative level.

Under this category falls the Parliamentary and Presidential democracy.

Liquid Democracy

The combination of both the above described basic democracies, that is, direct democracy and representative democracy, is coined as liquid democracy.

Under this system, the decision-making process varies with the situation.

Liberal Democracy

In the liberal democratic system, the power of the majority works or can say framed under the representative democracy.

Under this democratic system, the powers of the majority are limited to some extent in order to protect the minorities by the constitution.

Western Democracy

The trend of western democracy is quite different from all the above-described democracies.

This kind of democratic system exists in pre-modern societies.

This system does not work on equality, and hence the decisions were taken by the free male population.

Characteristics of Democracy

So, to define or characterise democracy, there exists no particular agreement. Yet, to describe such great content, some concepts have been identified as the important characteristics of democracy and are mentioned as:

Legal Equality

This character or principle of democracy is applicable to all the eligible citizens as they all are equal before the law irrespective of caste, creed, sex, religion, birth etc. and have equal access to legislative processes.

Political Freedom

Under this thesis of democracy, every individual citizen of the country are free to take part in the political process and political view.

It involves freedom of both majority as well as the minority. Where majorities are free to influence and guide their policies, likely minorities are free publicly to advocate for their positions.

Rule of Law

The rule of law is one of the most important characteristics of democracy.

Under this thesis, every citizen, institutions as well as entities accountable to the law.

It also stands for the respect of the right of every individual, groups, parties and institutions bounded by the constitution.

After being fully acknowledged about what democracy actually means and before moving to the role of civil services in a democracy, one must have proper knowledge about what civil services exactly means.

Civil services

In general, civil services can be defined as government officials body who are employed as a civil servant which belongs none to any political or judicial bodies.

Appointment of civil servants

In earlier times, when civil servants used to be the part of households of the king or can say that they were used to be the personal servants of monarchs.

But when the power of monarchs or when kingship declined, the appointment of civil servants became a personal choice of the head of departments or ministries.

In order to get closely packed to the civil servants by the ministries, every department being to use their freedom and appoint civil servants.

But lastly, this unappropriate manner came to an end, and civil servants are appointed according to the country’s governmental form.

Referring to the democratic country, for the appointment of civil servants, a board entitled Civil Service Commission got set up.

This commission ensures impartiality in selection procedures as well as manage the recruitment process of the civil servants.

Conditions of the civil service

When civil servants used to be the members or the part of monarch’s households, then they were loaded only with duties and have no rights.

But, it was not the true means, and increased formal regulations of conditions of services came into existence.

The condition of services came into existence when the servants organised themselves into professional groups differing from a trade union.

The fact that civil servants are the agents of public power, public service provider and public health. So, they may strike.

And if awfully they can’t strike, then they are deprived of the main weapon and hence pressurises over the condition of services.

And hence it leads to a particular arrangement regulating conduct and discipline.

In India, the conduct of services and discipline are regulated by administrative rules and codes run by executive order after discussion and enquiry.

Historical evolution of civil services in a democracy

In a democratic form of government like India, the idea of an appropriate Public administration system had taken place from very ancient times.

Starting with Mauriyan administration, it is very important to note that the administrators during that period were called as Adhyakshas.

Moving to the Chanakya period, little evolution took place, and the administrators or civil servants were appointed on their excellence and merit, which is mainly focused to the stringent investigation.

While in the Mughal period, the state officers took over the administration.

When East India Company came to India, civil servants instead of doing administrative works were doing the commercial activities.

Then the arrival of the British government or western government took place in India, they appoint civil servants to gain more control over India and taught the servants everything related to western culture.

While after independence, a great revolution came in the civil services work and civil servants became an important part of the execution.

Importance of the civil services in a democracy

The civil service or the civil servants are present all around democratic India and hence plays an important role.

It mainly deals with the execution of democracy and plays a great role in policymaking as well as its effective regulation.

The civil services in a democracy coordinates very smoothly with various governmental institutions and departments.

Undoubtedly, in democracy, civil services advise various political leaders and may become the leader whenever became very necessary.

Also Read: Difference between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and The Parliament

Role of civil services in a democracy

As we know, Democracy is an egalitarian principle in which the governed is elected by the people to whom it has to govern over.

Modern democracy deals with three important pillars, namely the legislature, the executive and the judiciary.

The civil services form a part of the executive. In executive, where the members or ministers are replaced and get reelected or can say they play the temporary role; meanwhile, civil services are the permanent sector of the executive.

The civil services are thus subdivision under the government, and the servants are expert administrators.

And hence, civil service is a responsible position and have to perform various functions.

In a democratic form of government,  civil services are responsible for implementing various laws and also executing the policies formed by the government.

Civil services work with the executive in a democracy and hence plays a great role in the formation of a certain policy.

Civil services may advise ministers but with facts and ideas.

In a democracy, the government fulfils its tenure by five years or sometimes early too. But, in between this period, laws and policies need stability.

And hence, it is the civil services which provides stability to various laws, policies as well as government.

In a democracy,  various rules or policies are implemented for the growth and development of the underdogs and hence it is the responsibility of the civil services to make the basics of the policies reach them.

In a democracy,  civil servants perform various developmental functions which include the establishment of modern trick and techniques in every field like agriculture,  banking, economy and trade.

Civil services also work as jurisdiction whenever needed by settling disputes between the state and citizens and other minor disputes too.