Democracy in the Contemplary World

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Chapter 1 Democracy in the Contemporary World
 Democracy in Chile  During the early 1970s, Chile had a democratically elected government under President Salvador Allende.  The government was liberal towards the workers and the poor people of Chile.  Various welfare policies were adopted by the government for emancipating the poor such as milk for the children, distribution of land to landless farmers, and restricting the entry of foreign companies.  Military Coup of 1973  A military coup led by General Augusto Pinochet.  The President’s house was bombed by the military and Allende died in it.  General Augusto Pinochet became the President of Chile and ruled it for the next 17 years. The military government mercilessly killed thousands who supported Allende.  Restoration of Democracy in Chile  Military General Pinochet’s dictatorship came to an end in 1988 after a referendum.  The army’s role in the Chilean government was eradicated and a democratically elected government was formed.  In 2006, Chile got its first women President– Michelle Bachelet  Democracy in Poland  Poland was under the United Workers Party in the 1980s.  No other party was allowed to take part in the political process of the country.  The state of employment was bad in Poland. The workers could not form their independent trade unions.  A strike was organised by the workers of the Lenin shipyard on 14th August 1980 in Gdansk. It was led by Lech Walesa.  The main demands of the workers were –  Right to form trade unions.  Release of political prisoners.

 Removal of censorship on press.  The government had to concede the demands of the workers and a 21- point agreement called the Gdansk Agreement was signed.  Workers, under the leadership of Lech Walesa, formed the first independent trade union of Poland, ‘Solidarity’.  Solidarity won the 1990 elections and came to power in Poland. Lech Walesa became the President of Poland.  Features of Democracy  Only the leaders...
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