Content:
- One Nation One Election and representative democracy
- Dangerous skies
One Nation One Election and representative democracy
Context : One Nation, One Election aims to streamline elections by synchronizing the tenure of Lok Sabha and State Assemblies to reduce administrative burdens.
Relevance : GS 2(Polity )
Practice Question : Discuss the implications of One Nation, One Election on the efficiency of governance and its potential impact on democratic representation.(250 Words)
- Synchronisation of Elections: Aligns elections for the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.
- Fixed Tenure: Fixes the tenure of the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.
- Mid-Term Elections: If dissolved early, mid-term elections cover the remainder of the original tenure.
- Amendments: Articles 83, 172, and 327 are amended, effective post–2029 general elections, initiating simultaneous elections in 2034.
- Union Territories: The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, aligns the tenure of Union Territories’ legislative Assemblies with the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.
Administrative Efficiency and Election Fatigue
- Efficiency: Aims to reduce administrative burden and election fatigue.
- Critical Questions: Raises concerns about inclusivity and the representative nature of the process.
Understanding Representative Democracy
- Definition: Citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.
- Principles: Free and fair elections, political accountability, protection of individual rights, balancing majority rule with minority interests.
- Challenges: Growing disillusionment with the system, as revealed by a 2024 Pew Research Center study across 24 nations.
Jayaprakash Narayan’s Critique
- Critique: In “A Plea for Reconstruction of Indian Polity” (1959), JP critiqued parliamentary democracy.
- Defects Highlighted:
- Minority Governments: Risks of unstable and unrepresentative governments.
- Demagoguery and Populism: Manipulation of public opinion by political parties.
- Centralisation of Power: Concentration of power in the state.
- Financial Costs: High cost of elections tethering democracy to moneyed interests.
Pre-Legislative Consultation Process
- Policy: The Pre-Legislative Consultation Policy, 2014, mandates a minimum 30-day period for public feedback.
- Shortcomings:
- Inadequate Consultation: Only 10 days given for public response.
- Lack of Explanatory Material: No explanatory notes or background papers provided.
- Framing of Questions: Perfunctory approach seeking ‘yes/no’ responses.
Implications for Representative Democracy
- Centralisation vs. Federalism: Risks centralising power, overshadowing state-specific issues.
- Inclusivity and Participation: Curtailing consultation weakens democratic inclusivity.
- Electoral Accountability: Simultaneous elections could dilute accountability.
Conclusion
- Democratic Principles: India’s democracy thrives on citizen participation, inclusivity, and accountability.
- Reform Process: Must be inclusive and representative to maintain trust and avoid centralisation.
Dangerous Skies
Context : The Azerbaijan airliner crash illustrates the risks posed to civilian aviation by modern warfare technologies, like drones and air defense systems.
Relevance : GS 3( Disaster Management, Internal Security)
Practice Question : Analyze how modern warfare technologies like drones affect the safety of civilian aviation, with reference to the recent Azerbaijan airliner crash.(250 Words)
Crash Incident Overview:
- An Azerbaijani airliner, Embraer 190, crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, killing 38 people.
- The flight, from Baku to Grozny (Russia), was diverted and attempted an emergency landing.
- Initial reports suggested a bird strike, but later investigations pointed to a Russian anti–drone attack as the cause.
- The attack likely led to depressurization, as evidenced by holes in the plane and oxygen masks deploying.
- The aircraft continued flying despite damage, crossing 300 miles over the Caspian Sea before crashing.
Details of the Attack:
- The missile strike or anti-drone response from Russian air defense systems might have been triggered by a Ukrainian drone attack.
- Control system damage is suspected, causing erratic flight paths.
- Despite the damage, the plane was reportedly denied landing rights at nearby airports, a violation of norms that would typically allow emergency landings for damaged civilian aircraft.
- The Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) have been recovered and will aid in the investigation.
Investigation and Multi-Stakeholder Involvement:
- Azerbaijan, the country of origin, holds sovereignty over the flight.
- Brazilian manufacturer Embraer will also be involved in the investigation.
- U.S. and Azerbaijani officials have blamed Russian air defense systems for the attack, potentially in response to Ukrainian drone operations.
- Russian President Putin issued a half-hearted apology but stopped short of admitting Russian involvement in the attack.
Context of Modern Warfare:
- The incident highlights the dangers of the evolving nature of warfare, where drones and micro-drones play a significant role as low-cost weapons.
- These weapons can target and cause damage deep inside enemy territory, affecting civilian and military infrastructure alike.
- The attack, nearly 500 miles from the Ukrainian border, underscores the expanded reach of modern warfare tactics.
Implications for Aviation Safety:
- The incident underscores the growing risk for civilian airlines operating in conflict zones, especially near regions affected by drone warfare.
- Airlines must assess the safety of flying through or near such conflict zones to avoid similar tragedies.
- The crash raises concerns about the adequacy of air defense systems and civilian airspace protection in conflict zones.
Political and Military Context:
- The crash is indicative of the broader risks associated with the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war, where non-combatant nations and civilian aircraft may be caught in the crossfire.
- The need for de-escalation is urgent, with the success of any peace efforts dependent on Moscow’s willingness to end its invasion of Ukraine and reach an agreement on NATO’s expansion.
- Failure to de-escalate could result in more civilian casualties and the potential for regional actors to become further involved in the conflict.
Broader Impact on Global Airlines:
- Airlines operating in or near conflict zones must be cautious of the heightened risks associated with military activities, including drone warfare and anti-aircraft defense systems.
- The crash highlights the need for international cooperation and coordination to ensure safe airspace management in conflict zones.
- A failure to address the risks could lead to more airline accidents, further disrupting global air travel and tourism.
Conclusion:
- The Azerbaijan airliner crash is a tragic reminder of the broader consequences of modern warfare, where civilian airliners can become unintended victims of military actions.
