What can we conclude about democracy with reference to popular struggles and movements like Bolivian water war? Explain in detail.
Answer:
Democracy evolves through popular struggles. It is possible that some significant decisions may take place through consensus and may not involve any conflict at all. But that would be an exception. Defining moments of democracy usually involve conflict between those groups who have exercised power and those who aspire for a share in power.
These moments come when the country is going through transition to democracy, expansion of democracy or deepening of democracy.
Democratic conflict is resolved through mass mobilisation. Sometimes it is possible that the conflict is resolved by using the existing institutions like the parliament or the judiciary.
These conflicts and mobilisations are based on new political organisations where there is an element of spontaneity in all such historic moments.
But the spontaneous public participation becomes effective with the help of organised politics.