Economic democracy
Topic: Directive Principles and Fundamental Duties · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
Economic democracy is Dr B.R. Ambedkar's idea that the right to vote is not enough. People also need a fair economic deal: a livelihood, fair wages and protection from exploitation. Political democracy means "one person, one vote". Economic democracy tries to give each person a fair economic share too. Ambedkar saw the Directive Principles in Part IV as the way to reach it. They do this by asking the State to become a welfare state, meaning a State that actively works for people's well-being.
Example
Art. 39(b)-(c) asks that the community's resources be shared for the common good and that wealth not pile up in a few hands. Art. 43 asks for a living wage for workers. Both aim at economic democracy, not just political equality.
Don't confuse with
- Political democracy: equal political rights, such as voting and contesting elections. These are largely secured by enforceable rights. Economic democracy rests mainly on directives, which courts cannot enforce.
Related concepts
- Directive Principles of State Policy
- Non-justiciability of Directive Principles
- Instrument of Instructions
- Welfare state
- Classification of Directive Principles