Democratic Politics
CHAPTER : 1
What is Democracy? Why Democracy?
Grade 9
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1. Define democracy and also mention some of its features.
Democracy is a form of government in which the rulers are elected by the people.
Features of democracy:-
● In a democracy the final decision making power must rest with those elected by the
people.
● A democracy must be based on a free and fair election where those currently in power
have a fair chance of losing.
● In a democracy, each adult citizen must have one vote and each vote must have one
value.
● A democratic government rules within limits set by constitutional law and citizens’
rights.
2. Give arguments in favor of and against democracy?
OR
List out any five merits and demerits of democracy.
In favor of democracy Against democracy
● Democracy improves the quality of ● Leaders keep changing in democracy
decision making. which leads to instability.
● Democracy enhances the dignity of ● Unreasonable delay in decision
citizens. making.
● Democracy allows the rulers to correct ● Leads to political competition and
their mistakes. power play. Hence there is no scope for
● It is an accountable form of morality.
government. ● Leads to bad decisions as the elected
● It effectively deals with differences and leaders are not aware of the best
conflicts. interest of the people.
● Leads to corruption because it is based
on electoral competition.
3. Why should Pakistan under General Musharraf should not be called a democracy?.
● In Pakistan, General Pervez Musharraf led a military coup and overthrew a
democratically elected government and declared himself the ‘Chief Executive’ of the
country.
● Later he conducted a referendum which was based on malpractices. He changed his
designation as President in 2002.
● In August 2002 he issued a ‘Legal Framework Order’ that amended the constitution
of Pakistan. According to this Order, the President can dismiss the national or provincial
assemblies.
● The work of the civilian cabinet is supervised by a National Security Council which is
dominated by military officers.
● After passing this law, elected representatives have some powers but the final power
rests with military officers and General Musharraf himself. Because of these reasons
Pakistan under General Musharraf should not be called a democracy.
4. What do you know about ZANU-PF?
ZANU-PF is a political party of Zimbabwe. Robert Mugabe was the leader of the party
who later became the ruler of the country.
5. Which countries deny equal right to vote? How?
● In Saudi Arabia women did not have the right to vote. (Women were previously
forbidden to vote in all elections or run for political office, but in 2011, King Abdullah allowed
women to vote in the 2015 local elections and be appointed to the Consultative Assembly, the
national legislature.)
● Estonia has made its citizenship rules in such a way that people belonging to the
Russian minority find it difficult to get the right to vote.
● In Fiji, the electoral system is such that the vote of an indigenous Fijian has more
value than that of an Indian-Fijian.
6. What is meant by an ideal standard democracy?
● True democracy will come to a country only when no one goes hungry to bed.
● In a true democracy every citizen must be able to play an equal role in decision
making with equal right to vote, equal information, basic education, equal resources and a
lot of commitment.
Additional Questions:
1. How does democracy improve the quality of decision making?
2. ‘Democracy enhances the dignity of citizens.’ Comment on the statement.
3. How can popular governments be undemocratic? Explain with an example.
4. “Democracy provides a method to deal with differences and conflicts”. Discuss.
5. “Democracy is better than other forms of government.” Establish the statement.
