Q, how does illiteracy and democracy not move together?
1. Introduction
2. Understanding Democracy and education
3. How does democracy and illiteracy not move together?
A) Illiteracy hinders participatory culture
i) Case study of Political culture in democracy
B) Illiteracy makes peeple unfit for democratic society
i) Political man of Seymour Martin Lipset
C) Manipulation and Misinformation: rise of populism
D) Illiteracy and vocational deficiency resulting in inequality: antidote to democracy
i) Illiteracy in the age of digital democracy
4. Critical analysis
5. Conclusion
Introduction
Democracy is a concept based on logic rather than simple abstraction of a tangible system. For the system of democracy to reach at the zenith of its development, having a strong character, sense of collective participation, and vocational ability and proficiency among the masses in society is a must. However, all these pre requisites that require for a democracy to flourish are what education provides us. Education is the base upon which logic of democracy stands; therefore, democracy in presence of illiteracy could not flourish- as if both cancel each other out. For example, illiterate masses cannot possess democratic participative culture nor can they understand the logic of accountability, directly linked to justice. Moreover, illiterate of 21st century is not he who does not write and read but he who is ignorant of information technology, which is bedrock for democracy to function in the age of information technology. Not to speak of resources, democracy does requires foundational traits among masses. Although education is not the only factor that provides resources for democracy, of course, it is the essential pre requisite without which democracy cannot function.
“Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real guard of democracy, therefore, is education.” (Franklin. D Roosevelt)
Understanding Democracy and education
Modern democracy is the child of industrial revolution, a revolution based on education. The first step of mankind towards progress has always been acquiring knowledge through education. When the humanity reached at the nadir of knowledge with the help of education, the need of democratic society emerged. The democratic society for the literate of 20th century was a set values that education has fostered in them. Those values include liberty, equality, fraternity justice, dignity of individual, co-operation, sharing of responsibility etc. since it was an essence of literate people born out of their conscience, it is to be doomed in the hands of illiterate people who neither have any regard for these values nor have wisdom to predict the good in them. Therefore education being the backbone of democracy is a must. Furthermore, there is in the world a direct correlation at practical level. For instance, countries, such as Finland and Denmark having 100 percent literacy rate are ranking at top of the world democratic index.
How does democracy and illiteracy not move together?
Civic Culture and Literacy
Education fosters a democratic temper in the minds of people. That democratic temper is called civic culture or democratic culture. In a democratic culture people are tend to be more participative and knowledgeable regarding their system. They believe in system and participate in it. For example, Gabriel Almond and Sydney Verba, two renowned political scientists, argue in their book, the civic culture that education has the main role in creating a just and free society based on mass gatherings resulting in a participative civil society. Not only in theory but it is fact that has reflection in the practical world, too. Consider, for instance, countries, such as Norway and Finland both have best education system in the world, having a hundred percent of literacy rate top the democratic index today, as per World Atlas Ranking 2023.
“Democracy without education implies election of corrupt few by the ignorant many.”
(George Bernard Shaw)
Education and democracy: societal characteristics of a democratic man
How education fosters democratic temper is a question perfectly answered by famous philosopher of 20th century: Bertrand Russell. According to him, the purpose of education is to build character. What constitute in a good character are the same traits that democracy requires. For instance, education creates a sense of coexistence among people. It endorses sociability in people. Further, it builds tolerate and reasonable citizens. It is education that injects integrity in humans. All these qualities make a person a political man, fit for democracy. That political man, argued by renowned political scientist, Martin Seymour Lipset, is a life blood for democratic society. Hence it is deduced a democratic society without literate political man cannot flourish.
Manipulation and Misinformation: rise of populism
Illiterate populations are often more susceptible to manipulation and misinformation. They might rely on rumors, hearsay, or charismatic leaders, rather than credible sources, to form opinions. This vulnerability can be exploited by those with vested interests who spread false information to gain political power or support certain policies. This undermines the democratic process by creating an environment where decisions are based on falsehoods rather than facts. This is what populist leaders in countries with low literacy rate do. Hence a rise in populism is an antidote to democracy.
Illiteracy and vocational deficiency resulting in inequality: antidote to democracy
The illiterate of 21st century is not he who is unable to read and write but he who is ignorant in use of information technology. With the arrival of information technology, digital literacy has become a part of globalized world, making politics, economy, and social space digital, too. In this realm of digital democracy, a society comprised of illiterate masses cannot survive nor can democracy function with them as they are not equipped with the skills that are required to compete or survive. For example, Pakistan with its low illiteracy rate unable to utilize the potential of digital economy; resultantly, its economy is in this globalized world is unable to compete, where globalization is bane rather than a boom.
Critical analysis
Although education is not the only factor that provides resources for democracy, of course, it is the essential pre requisite without which democracy cannot function. Democracy is the set of values and culture along with its other pre requisites. A democracy requires a political system based on separation of powers, strong institutions and a transparent legal system to ensure justice. But all these pre requisites can vary and interchange. What cannot be varied nor interchanged in democracy is the element of education in it.
Conclusion
In conclusion, democracy and illiteracy cannot move together. Democracy asserts participatory political culture, whereas illiteracy endorses alienation. Democracy requires democratic traits and strong character while illiteracy negates all these things. Democracy is advanced, knowledgeable and plural and decentralized; on the other hand, illiteracy is hierarchical in nature, monistic in character, and orthodox in essence.