TWO TALES OF DEMOCRACY
Did you know?
What is democracy?
Democracy is a system of government where the citizens exercise power by voting. In a direct democracy, the citizens as a whole form a governing body and vote directly on each issue. In a representative democracy the citizens elect representatives from among themselves.


President Salvador Allende
(Wearing a helmet) and
His security guards in
Front of La Moneda,
Chile's presidential palace,
On 11 september 1973,
Hours before his death.
President Salvador Allende
(Wearing a helmet) and
His security guards in
Front of La Moneda,
Chile's presidential palace,
On 11 september 1973,
Hours before his death.
"Workers of my country, I have faith in
Chile and its future. Other men will
overcome this dark and bitter moment
when treason seeks to prevail. Keep in
mind that much sooner than later, the
great avenues will again be opened,
through which will pass free men to
construct a better society. Long live
Chile! Long live the people! Long live the
workers!
These are my last words, and I am
certain that my sacrifice will not be in
vain. I am certain that, at the very least,
it will be a moral lesson that will punish
felony, cowardice, and treason.”
These are some extracts from the
last speech of Salvador Allende
(pronounced Ayen-they). He was
then the President of Chile,
country in South America. The
speech was given on the morning of
11 September 1973, the day his
government was overthrown by the
military. Allende was the founder leader of the Socialist Party of Chile
and led the Popular Unity coalition
to victory in the presidential
election in 1970. After being
elected the President, Allende had
taken several policy decisions to help
the poor and the workers. These
included reform of the educational
system, free milk for children and
redistribution of land to the landless
farmers. He was opposed to foreign
companies taking away natural
resources like copper from the
country. The landlords, the rich and
the Church opposed his policies . Some other political partida in chile also opposed his government.
Chile and its future. Other men will
overcome this dark and bitter moment
when treason seeks to prevail. Keep in
mind that much sooner than later, the
great avenues will again be opened,
through which will pass free men to
construct a better society. Long live
Chile! Long live the people! Long live the
workers!
These are my last words, and I am
certain that my sacrifice will not be in
vain. I am certain that, at the very least,
it will be a moral lesson that will punish
felony, cowardice, and treason.”
These are some extracts from the
last speech of Salvador Allende
(pronounced Ayen-they). He was
then the President of Chile,
country in South America. The
speech was given on the morning of
11 September 1973, the day his
government was overthrown by the
military. Allende was the founder leader of the Socialist Party of Chile
and led the Popular Unity coalition
to victory in the presidential
election in 1970. After being
elected the President, Allende had
taken several policy decisions to help
the poor and the workers. These
included reform of the educational
system, free milk for children and
redistribution of land to the landless
farmers. He was opposed to foreign
companies taking away natural
resources like copper from the
country. The landlords, the rich and
the Church opposed his policies . Some other political partida in chile also opposed his government.
Military Coup of 1973
On the morning of 11 September
1973, the military took over the
seaport. The Defence Minister was
arrested by the military when he
arrived at his office. The military commanders asked the President to
resign. Allende refused to resign or
leave the country. But realising the
danger to the country and to his life,
he addressed the people on the
radio, part of which we read in the
beginning. Then the military
surrounded the President's house
and started bombing it. President
Allende died in the military attack.
This was the sacrifice he was talking
about in his last speech. A
government elected by people was
overthrown by the military through
conspiracy and violence.
1973, the military took over the
seaport. The Defence Minister was
arrested by the military when he
arrived at his office. The military commanders asked the President to
resign. Allende refused to resign or
leave the country. But realising the
danger to the country and to his life,
he addressed the people on the
radio, part of which we read in the
beginning. Then the military
surrounded the President's house
and started bombing it. President
Allende died in the military attack.
This was the sacrifice he was talking
about in his last speech. A
government elected by people was
overthrown by the military through
conspiracy and violence.
What took place in Chile on 11
September 1973 was a military
coup. General Augusto Pinochet
(pronounce Pinochet), an Army
general, led the coup. The
government of the United States of
America was unhappy with Allende's
rule and is known to have supported
and funded activities that led to the
coup. Pinochet became the
President of the country and ruled
it for the next 17 years. From a
government that was elected by the
people, the power shifted to the military officers. They could do as
they wished and no one could
question them. Thus a military
dictatorship was established in
Chile. Pinochet's government
tortured and killed several of those
who supported Allende and those
who wanted democracy to be
restored. These included General
Alberto Bachelet of the Chilean Air
Force and many other officers who
refused to join the coup. General
Bachelet's wife and daughter were
put in prison and tortured. More
than 3,000 people were killed by the
military. Many more were reported
'missing'. No one knows what
happened to them.

President Michelle Bachelet
addressing her supporters
after her victory in the
presidential election in
January 2006.
September 1973 was a military
coup. General Augusto Pinochet
(pronounce Pinochet), an Army
general, led the coup. The
government of the United States of
America was unhappy with Allende's
rule and is known to have supported
and funded activities that led to the
coup. Pinochet became the
President of the country and ruled
it for the next 17 years. From a
government that was elected by the
people, the power shifted to the military officers. They could do as
they wished and no one could
question them. Thus a military
dictatorship was established in
Chile. Pinochet's government
tortured and killed several of those
who supported Allende and those
who wanted democracy to be
restored. These included General
Alberto Bachelet of the Chilean Air
Force and many other officers who
refused to join the coup. General
Bachelet's wife and daughter were
put in prison and tortured. More
than 3,000 people were killed by the
military. Many more were reported
'missing'. No one knows what
happened to them.

President Michelle Bachelet
addressing her supporters
after her victory in the
presidential election in
January 2006.
About chile and chile on the map

Chile can be found in the southernmost region of South America, bordered by the Andes mountain range/Argentina to the East, Peru and Bolivia to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is the 6th largest country in the continent, and the 38th largest country in the world. A mountainous country; the snow-capped Andes range covers
most of its eastern border with Argentina, whilst lower non Andean ranges span the remainder of the land. Chile is also home to many fjords, beaches, glaciers, icebergs and deep
sea channels, as well as the Atacama Desert, which has been officially declared as the driest place in the world. Recognising the need to protect these areas from harm, the Chilean government have established 18 national parks
throughout the country, covering approximately 18% of the Chilean mainland.

Chile can be found in the southernmost region of South America, bordered by the Andes mountain range/Argentina to the East, Peru and Bolivia to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is the 6th largest country in the continent, and the 38th largest country in the world. A mountainous country; the snow-capped Andes range covers
most of its eastern border with Argentina, whilst lower non Andean ranges span the remainder of the land. Chile is also home to many fjords, beaches, glaciers, icebergs and deep
sea channels, as well as the Atacama Desert, which has been officially declared as the driest place in the world. Recognising the need to protect these areas from harm, the Chilean government have established 18 national parks
throughout the country, covering approximately 18% of the Chilean mainland.
Capital city: Santiago Highest Point: Nevado
Ojos del Salado (22,572ft / 6880m) Lowest
Point: Pacific Ocean (Oft/Om) Land Area:
287,187 sq. mi (743,812 sq. km) Water Area:
4745 sq. mi (12,290 sq. km) Total Area: 291 933
sq. mi (756,102 sq. km) Coastline: 3999 miles
(6435 km) Bordering countries (3) Argentina,
Bolivia, Peru.
Ojos del Salado (22,572ft / 6880m) Lowest
Point: Pacific Ocean (Oft/Om) Land Area:
287,187 sq. mi (743,812 sq. km) Water Area:
4745 sq. mi (12,290 sq. km) Total Area: 291 933
sq. mi (756,102 sq. km) Coastline: 3999 miles
(6435 km) Bordering countries (3) Argentina,
Bolivia, Peru.

Poland is famous for its
poster art. Most of the
posters of Solidarity carried
this special way of writing
'Solidarnosc'.
Poland is famous for its
poster art. Most of the
posters of Solidarity carried
this special way of writing
'Solidarnosc'.
Restoration Of Democracy
Pinochet's military dictatorship came to an end after he deserted to hold a referendum in 1988.
He felt confident that in this referendum, the people say 'yes' to his continuing in power. But the people of Chile had not forgotten the Democratic traditions. Their vote was a decisive 'no' to Pinochet. This led Pinochet losing first his political and then his military powers. The hope Allende expressed in his last address was realised : felony, cowardice and treason were finally punished. Political freedom was restored. Since then Chile has held four presidential elections in which different political parties have participated. Slowly, the army's role in the country's government that came to power ordered inquiries into Pinochet's rule. These inquiries showed that his goverment was not only very brutal, but also very corrupt.
Do you remember a little reference made earlier to general Bachelet's daughter who was imprisoned and tortured along with her mother? That Girl, Michelle bachelet's (pronounced Mishel Bashelet), was elected President of Chile in January 2006. A medical doctor and a moderate socialist, Michelle became the first woman to be a defense minister in Latin America. In the presidential elections she defeated one of Chile's richest men. In this photograph of her victory speech, she is saying to her supporters:
"Because I was the victim of hatred, I have dedicated my life to reverse that hatred and turn it into understanding, tolerance and why not say it into love."
He felt confident that in this referendum, the people say 'yes' to his continuing in power. But the people of Chile had not forgotten the Democratic traditions. Their vote was a decisive 'no' to Pinochet. This led Pinochet losing first his political and then his military powers. The hope Allende expressed in his last address was realised : felony, cowardice and treason were finally punished. Political freedom was restored. Since then Chile has held four presidential elections in which different political parties have participated. Slowly, the army's role in the country's government that came to power ordered inquiries into Pinochet's rule. These inquiries showed that his goverment was not only very brutal, but also very corrupt.
Do you remember a little reference made earlier to general Bachelet's daughter who was imprisoned and tortured along with her mother? That Girl, Michelle bachelet's (pronounced Mishel Bashelet), was elected President of Chile in January 2006. A medical doctor and a moderate socialist, Michelle became the first woman to be a defense minister in Latin America. In the presidential elections she defeated one of Chile's richest men. In this photograph of her victory speech, she is saying to her supporters:
"Because I was the victim of hatred, I have dedicated my life to reverse that hatred and turn it into understanding, tolerance and why not say it into love."
Democracy in Poland
Let us turn to another event, this time from Poland, in 1980. At that time poland was ruled by the polish united workers'party. This was one of the many communist parties that ruled in several could tries of East Europe at that time. In these countries no other political party was allowed to function. The people could not freely choose the leaders or the party or the government were put in prison. The government in Poland was supported and controlled by the government of the Soviet Union (USSR), a vast and powerful communist state.
On 14 August 1980, workers of Lenin Shipyard in the city of Gdansk went on a strike. The shipyard was owned by the goverment. In fact all the factories and big property in Poland were owned by the government. The strike began with a demand to take back a crane operator, a woman worker, who was unjustly dismissed from service. This strike was illegal, because trade unions independent of the ruling
party were not allowed in Poland. As the
strike continued, a former electrician of
the shipyard, Lech Walesa (pronounced
Lek Walesha), joined the strikers. He
was dismissed from service in 1976 for
demanding higher pay. Walesa soon
emerged as the leader of the striking
workers. The strike began to spread across
the whole city. Now the workers started
raising larger demands. They wanted the
right to form independent trade unions.
They also demanded the release of political
prisoners and an end to censorship on press.
The movement became so popular that the government had to give in. The workers led by Walesa signed a 21-point agreement with the
government that ended their strike. The government agreed to recognise the workers' right to form independent trade unions and their right to strike. After the Gdansk agreement was signed, a new trade union called Solidarity (Solidarnosc in Polish) was formed. It was the first time an independent trade union was formed in any of the communist states. Within a year, Solidarity
swept across Poland and had about one crore members. Revelations of widespread corruption and mismanagement in the government made matters worse for the
rulers. The government, led by General Jaruzelski, grew anxious and imposed martial law in December 1981. Thousands of
Solidarity members were put in prison. Freedom to organise, protest and express opinions was once again taken away.
Another wave of strikes, again organised by solidarity began in 1988. This time the polish
government was weaker, the support from Soviet Union uncertain and the economy was in decline. Another round of negotiations with
Walesa resulted in an agreement in April 1989 for free elections. Solidarity contested all the 100 seats of the Senate and won 99 of them. In October 1990, Poland had its first presidential elections in which more than one party could contest. Walesa was elected President of Poland.
Let us turn to another event, this time from Poland, in 1980. At that time poland was ruled by the polish united workers'party. This was one of the many communist parties that ruled in several could tries of East Europe at that time. In these countries no other political party was allowed to function. The people could not freely choose the leaders or the party or the government were put in prison. The government in Poland was supported and controlled by the government of the Soviet Union (USSR), a vast and powerful communist state.
On 14 August 1980, workers of Lenin Shipyard in the city of Gdansk went on a strike. The shipyard was owned by the goverment. In fact all the factories and big property in Poland were owned by the government. The strike began with a demand to take back a crane operator, a woman worker, who was unjustly dismissed from service. This strike was illegal, because trade unions independent of the ruling
party were not allowed in Poland. As the
strike continued, a former electrician of
the shipyard, Lech Walesa (pronounced
Lek Walesha), joined the strikers. He
was dismissed from service in 1976 for
demanding higher pay. Walesa soon
emerged as the leader of the striking
workers. The strike began to spread across
the whole city. Now the workers started
raising larger demands. They wanted the
right to form independent trade unions.
They also demanded the release of political
prisoners and an end to censorship on press.
The movement became so popular that the government had to give in. The workers led by Walesa signed a 21-point agreement with the
government that ended their strike. The government agreed to recognise the workers' right to form independent trade unions and their right to strike. After the Gdansk agreement was signed, a new trade union called Solidarity (Solidarnosc in Polish) was formed. It was the first time an independent trade union was formed in any of the communist states. Within a year, Solidarity
swept across Poland and had about one crore members. Revelations of widespread corruption and mismanagement in the government made matters worse for the
rulers. The government, led by General Jaruzelski, grew anxious and imposed martial law in December 1981. Thousands of
Solidarity members were put in prison. Freedom to organise, protest and express opinions was once again taken away.
Another wave of strikes, again organised by solidarity began in 1988. This time the polish
government was weaker, the support from Soviet Union uncertain and the economy was in decline. Another round of negotiations with
Walesa resulted in an agreement in April 1989 for free elections. Solidarity contested all the 100 seats of the Senate and won 99 of them. In October 1990, Poland had its first presidential elections in which more than one party could contest. Walesa was elected President of Poland.
About Poland and Poland on the map


Located in Central Europe, Poland has a 3,071.00 km border with Belarus (418 km), Czech Republic(796 km), Germany (467 km), Lithuania (104 km), Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) (210 km), Slovakia(541 km) and Ukraine (535 km). It has a 440.00 km coastline. Poland has implemented strict Schengen border rules in order to restrict illegal immigration and trade along its eastern borders with Belarus and Ukraine.
Warsaw is the capital city of Poland. It is situated on the Vistula River in East-Central Poland. The city was selected to serve as the capital in 1573, due to its centrality. It also served as the capital of The Commonwealth and the Crown Kingdom of Poland. Warsaw is a very populous city, with a metropolitan population of approximately 3.1 million residents. The Old Town of Warsaw has been recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The city is also famous for its museums and galleries. Warsaw experiences a humid continental climate. The winters in Warsaw are usually cold, snowy and cloudy. The summers are usually sunny, warm and stormy. Spring and autumns in the city are quite unpredictable. There tend to be abrupt weather changes during the spring and autumn seasons. The city is the fourth driest city in Europe. The city is among the driest capitals in Europe, receiving an annual precipitation of 529 milliliters.
Poland is a European country covering 312,685.00 km2 of which 2.70% is water and 304,255.00 km2 is land. This makes it the 69th largest country in the world and about twice the size of Georgia slightly smaller than New Mexico. Its geographic coordinates are 52 00 N, 20 00 E and Warsaw is the capital city.
Poland is a European country covering 312,685.00 km2 of which 2.70% is water and 304,255.00 km2 is land. This makes it the 69th largest country in the world and about twice the size of Georgia slightly smaller than New Mexico. Its geographic coordinates are 52 00 N, 20 00 E and Warsaw is the capital city.
The name Poland derives from the Polanians, a west Slavic tribe.


Two Features Of Democracy
We have read two different kinds of real life stories. The story from Chile was of a democratic government led by Allende being replaced by a non democratic military government of Pinochet, followed by restoration of democracy. In Poland we tracked the transition from a non-democratic
government to a democratic
government.
Let us compare the two non democratic governments in these stories. There were many differences between Pinochet's rule in Chile and the communist rule in Poland. Chile
was ruled by a military dictator, while Poland was ruled by a political party. The government of Poland claimed that it was ruling on behalf
of the working classes. Pinochet made no such claim and openly favoured big capitalists.
Yet both had some common features:
◆The people could not choose or change their rulers.
◆There was no real freedom to express one's opinions form political associations and organise protests and political action.
We have read two different kinds of real life stories. The story from Chile was of a democratic government led by Allende being replaced by a non democratic military government of Pinochet, followed by restoration of democracy. In Poland we tracked the transition from a non-democratic
government to a democratic
government.
Let us compare the two non democratic governments in these stories. There were many differences between Pinochet's rule in Chile and the communist rule in Poland. Chile
was ruled by a military dictator, while Poland was ruled by a political party. The government of Poland claimed that it was ruling on behalf
of the working classes. Pinochet made no such claim and openly favoured big capitalists.
Yet both had some common features:
◆The people could not choose or change their rulers.
◆There was no real freedom to express one's opinions form political associations and organise protests and political action.
The three democratic governments identified above Allende's Chile, Walesa's Poland and Bachelet's Chile-are different in their approach
towards social and economic matters Allende preferred government control on all big industries and the economy. Walesa wanted the market to be free of government interference.
Bachelet stands somewhere in the middle on this issue. Yet these three governments shared some basic features. Power was exercised by
governments elected by the people and not by the army, unelected leaders or any external power. The people enjoyed some basic political
freedoms.
towards social and economic matters Allende preferred government control on all big industries and the economy. Walesa wanted the market to be free of government interference.
Bachelet stands somewhere in the middle on this issue. Yet these three governments shared some basic features. Power was exercised by
governments elected by the people and not by the army, unelected leaders or any external power. The people enjoyed some basic political
freedoms.
From these two stories let us draw
a rough way to identify a democracy.
Democracy is a form of government that allows people to choose their rulers. In a democracy
a rough way to identify a democracy.
Democracy is a form of government that allows people to choose their rulers. In a democracy
◆only leaders elected by people should rule the country, and
◆people have the freedom to express views, freedom to organise and freedom to protest.
◆people have the freedom to express views, freedom to organise and freedom to protest.
The Changing Map Of Democracy
Twentieth century was full of the
kind of stories we have read above:
stories of transition to democracy,
of challenges to democracy, of
military coups, of struggles of the
people to bring back democracy.
Was there a pattern to these stories
that record both the march towards
democracy and the setbacks to
democracy? Let us use the basic
features we noted earlier and
identify democracies among
different countries of the world.
Twentieth century was full of the
kind of stories we have read above:
stories of transition to democracy,
of challenges to democracy, of
military coups, of struggles of the
people to bring back democracy.
Was there a pattern to these stories
that record both the march towards
democracy and the setbacks to
democracy? Let us use the basic
features we noted earlier and
identify democracies among
different countries of the world.
This is what the three maps shown
here do. Take a look at these three
maps below and find out if there was
a pattern in the way democracies
have evolved in the twentieth century.
here do. Take a look at these three
maps below and find out if there was
a pattern in the way democracies
have evolved in the twentieth century.