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What is Democracy? Why Democracy?

Important Questions on Democracy [ write in brief ]

1. Write a note on democracy.

2. On the basis of your understanding of democracy so far, mentioning a few examples

write down some common features of:

A. Democratic governments

B. Non-democratic governments

3. Mention some of the features of democracy.

4. Does democracy enhance the dignity of the citizens? Give reasons supporting your
answer.

5. What kind of election constitutes a democratic election?

6. Give reasons why Pakistan under General Musharraf should not be called a democracy.

7. What is direct democracy? Explain.

8. What are the arguments against democracy? Explain.

9. Though elections were held regularly in Mexico since 1930, it did not present an
example of true democracy until 2000. State the reason.

10. Give arguments in favour of democracy. Describe.

11. A democratic government is a better government because it is a more accountable form

of government. True or False?

12. Elaborate on how democracy is based on consultations and discussions.

13. “Popular governments may be undemocratic.”Give an example to support the

statement.

14. What are the main differences between democracy and dictatorship? Give three points.
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15. People feel free and equal in a democracy. Is this a good argument in favour of
democracy? Why?

16. A minister said that some laws have to be passed by the Parliament in order to conform
to the regulations decided by the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Explain the
democratic element of this statement.

17. Women’s representation in Parliament has barely reached 10%. This led women’s
organisations to demand one-third seats for women. What is the undemocratic element
of this statement?

18. An Army is the most disciplined and corruption-free organisation in the country.
Therefore the army should rule the country. Write a response to this argument against
democracy.

19. A Father to daughter: I don’t want to hear your opinion about your marriage. In our
family children marry where the parents tell them to. Is the following statement in
keeping with democracy as a value? Why?

20. Write a note on the Constitutional and Legal aspects of democracy. Give an example
from the news items in this category.

21. What are the major challenges of democracy?

22. Why is the media not independent in Zimbabwe?

23. Write a brief note about the significance of the rule of law and respect for rights in a
democratic country.
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Question 1.
What does a candidate need before contesting elections in China?
Answer:
Approval of the Chinese Communist Party.

Question 2.
In a democracy, the final decision must rest with those leaders or representatives who are
_______ .
Answer:
Elected by the people

Question 3.
What is peculiar with ZANU-PF?
Answer:
It has always won elections

Question 4.
The one of the main features of a democratic government is that it rules within the limits set by
the constitutional law above _______ .
Answer:
Citizen’s rights

Question 5.
Why does a democratic government is a better government?
Answer:
Because it is more accountable form of government
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Question 6.
Democracy offers _______ .
Answer:
Dignity of citizens and principle of political equality

Question 7.
Democracy cannot provide solution to all the problems, it is also a difficult form of government
to implement. It is _______ .
Answer:
One of the weaknesses of democracy

Question 8.
The major challenges to democracy are _______ .
Answer:
Economic equality among people and abolition of casteism from society.

Question 9.
It is a system in which only those who are in power and their supporters are benefited, and
excludes minorities and weaker sections.
Answer:
Dictatorship

Question 10.
It Is a system under which military chief enjoys all the powers and suppress all the protests
against him by the people.
Answer:
Military

Question 11.
The strength of democracy is its ability to uphold the values for which it stands for. These
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values are _______ .

Answer:
Freedom, Equality and Justice

Question 12.
Who led a military coup in Pakistan in 1999?
Answer:
Pervez Musharraf

Question 13.
When did Zimbabwe attain independence and from whom?
Answer:
In 1980 from white minority rule

Question 14.
In which period did China face one of the worst famines that have occurred in the world?
Answer:
China’s famine of 1958-1961 was the worst recorded famine in the world history.

Question 15.
Democracy improves the quality of decision-making because
Answer:
Decisions are taken by consultation and discussion.

Question 16.
What is the most common form of democracy in modern world?
Answer:
Representative Democracy
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Question 17.
Which body in the Indian political system is an example of direct democracy?
Answer:
Gram Sabha

Question 18.
What is ZANU-PF?
Answer:
Political party of Zimbabwe

Question 19.
Name the Chinese Parliament.
Answer:
The National People’s Congress

Question 20.
Give a definition of democracy.
Answer:
Democracy is a form of government in which the rulers are elected by the people.

Question 21.
What was the ‘Legal Framework Order’ passed by Pervez Musharraf in I August 2002?
Answer:
In August 2002, Musharraf issued a ‘Legal Framework Order’ that amended the Constitution of
Pakistan. According to this Order, the President can dismiss the national and provincial
assemblies.

Question 22.
Name the country where women do not have the right to vote till 2015.
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Answer:
Saudi Arabia

Question 23.
Media is not independent in Zimbabwe. How?
Answer:
Television and radio are controlled by the government and give only the ruling party’s version.
There are independent newspapers, but the government harasses those journalists who went
against it.

Question 24.
How can you say that China is not a democratic country?
Answer:
In China, the elections do not offer the people any serious choice. They must choose the ruling
party and the candidates approved by it. That is why, we cannot say that China is a democratic
country.

Question 25.
What is the role of citizen in promoting democracy?
Answer:
In a democracy, every citizen should be able to play equal role in decision-making. For this the
citizen not only needs an equal right to vote but also equal information, basic education, equal
resources and a lot of commitment.
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What is Democracy? Why Democracy? Class 9 Extra Questions Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
“Democracy provides a method to deal with differences and conflicts”. Discuss.
Answer:
Democracy provides a method to deal with differences and conflicts. In any society, people are
bound to have differences of opinions and interests. These differences are particularly sharp in
a country like ours which has an amazing social diversity. People belong to different regions,
and have different languages, practise different religions and have different castes. They look at
the world very differently and have different preferences. The preferences of one group can
clash with those of other groups. Democracy provides the only peaceful solution to this
problem. In democracy, no one is a permanent winner. No one is a permanent loser. Different
groups can live with one another peacefully. In a diverse country like India, democracy keeps
our country together.

Question 2.
What are the various aspects of democracy?
Answer:
We may refer to three aspects of democracy—political, social and economic.

• Political Aspect: Political democracy requires “government by consent and

political equality.” Democracy, as a form of government, implies that elections
must be held with reasonable frequency. Moreover, there should be more than
one political party competing for political power.
• Social Aspect: A democratic society is one in which an atmosphere of equality
prevails. There should be no discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste or
sex. Every one should have equal access to shops, restaurants, hotels and places
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of public entertainment. Our Constitution guarantees equality to every person

before law.
• Economic Aspect: Political democracy will be a reality only when it is supported by
economic democracy. The most stable democracies of the world are those which
have extensive welfare schemes for the poor people.

Question 3.
What are the merits of a democratic government?
Answer:
The merits of a democratic government are :

• A democratic government is a better government because it is a more

accountable form of government.
• Democracy improves the quality of decision-making.
• Democracy provides a method to deal with differences and conflicts.
• Democracy enhances the dignity of citizens.
• It is better than other forms of government because it allows us to correct its own
mistakes.

Question 4.
Why has India not experiences a famine as severe as that of China in 1958-61?
Answer:
China’s famine of 1958-1961 was the worst recorded famine in the world history.
Nearly three crore people died in this famine. During those days, India’s economic condition
was not much better than China. Yet India did not have a famine of the kind China had.
Economists think that this was a result of different government policies in the two countries.

The existence of democracy in India made the Indian government respond to food scarcity in a
way that the Chinese government did not. They point out that no large-scale famine has ever
taken place in an independent and democratic country. If China too had multiparty elections,
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an opposition party and a press free to criticise the government, then so many people may not
have died in the famine.

Question 5.
What are the drawbacks of a democracy.
Answer:
The following are the draw backs of a democracy :

• Leaders keep changing in a democracy. This leads to instability.

• Democracy is all about political competition and power play. There is no scope for
morality.
• So many people have to be consulted in a democracy that it leads to delays.
• Elected leaders do not know the best interest of the people. It leads to bad
decisions.
• Democracy leads to corruption for it is based on electoral competition.
• Ordinary people don’t know what is good for them; they should not decide
anything.

Question 6.
How far is it correct that no country has a perfect democracy?
Answer:
No country has a perfect democracy because :

• Every democracy has to try to realise the ideals of a democratic decision-making.

This cannot be achieved once and for all. This requires a constant effort to save
and strengthen democratic forms of decision-making. What we do as citizens can
make a difference to making our country more or less democratic. This is the
strength and the weakness of democracy: the fate of the country depends not just
on what the rulers do, but mainly on what we, as citizens, do.
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• This is what distinguished democracy from other governments. Other forms of

government like monarchy, dictatorship or one party rule do not require all
citizens to take part in politics.
• In fact, most non-democratic governments would like citizens not to take part in
politics. But democracy depends on active political participation by all the citizens.
That is why, a study of democracy must focus on democratic politics.

Question 7.
Why did the Institutional Revolutionary Party in Mexico never lose any election till 2000?
Answer:
The Institutional Revolutionary Party in Mexico was very strong till 2000. There are many
reasons behind it:

• Until 2000, every election was won by Institutional Revolutionary Party in Mexico.
Opposition parties did contest elections, but never managed to win.
• All those who were employed in government offices had to attend its party
meetings. Teachers of government schools used to force parents to vote for the
PRI.
• Media largely ignored the activities of opposition political parties except to
criticise them.
• Sometimes, the polling booths were shifted from one place to another in the last
minute, which made it difficult for people to cast their votes.
• The PRI spent a large sum of money in the campaign for its candidates.

Question 8
What were the steps taken by Musharraf in Pakistan to empower himself?
Answer:
The following steps were taken by Musharraf in Pakistan to empower himself:
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• In Pakistan, General Pervez Musharraf led a military coup in October 1999. He

overthrew a democratically elected government and declared himself the ‘Chief
Executive’ of the country.
• Later, he changed his designation to President and in 2002, held a referendum in
the country that granted him a five-year extension.
• In 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 power to take final decision rested with army officials and with General
Musharraf.
• The work of the civilian cabinet was supervised by a National Security Council
which was dominated by military officers.

➢ Questions and Answers

1. In an imaginary country called Happyland, the people overthrew the foreign ruler and
brought back the old royal family. They said: “After all their ancestors were our kings before
foreigners started ruling us. It is good that we have one strong ruler, who can help us become
rich and powerful”.
When someone talked about democracy the wise men said it is a foreign idea. Their struggle
was to throw the foreigners and their ideas out of the country. When someone demanded
freedom for the media, the elders thought that too much criticism of the ruler would not help
them improve their living standards. “After all, the king is so kind and interested in the
welfare of all the subjects. Why create problems for him. Don’t we all want to be happy? “
After reading the above passage, Chaman, Champa and Chandru made the following
observations:
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Chaman: Happyland is a democratic country because people were able to throw out the
foreign rulers and bring back the king.
Champa: Happyland is not a democratic country because people cannot criticise the ruler.
The king may be nice and may provide economic prosperity, but a king cannot give a
democratic rule.
Chandru: What people need is happiness. So they are willing to allow their new ruler to take
decisions for them. If people are happy it must be a democracy.
What is your opinion about each of these statements? What do you think about the form of
government in this country?
Answer:
Chaman: Even though people bought an end to the foreign rule in Happyland, it cannot be
called a democratic country because the king ruled as a monarch. This form of government is
known as a monarchy. It is only when people will enjoy the right to choose their leader, will it
be called a democratic country.

Champa: A king cannot guarantee democracy because it will be a one-man rule. A government
can be called a democracy only when there is a rule of the people. In other words, people
should have the right to elect the nominal head of the state and their representatives.

Chandru: Happiness of the people cannot be the factor to form a democracy. The masses might
be happy with the king, but he cannot establish a democracy because he is not an elected
representative. For example: In the olden days, people lived happily under various monarchs,
but it cannot be called a democratic government, as they were chosen by the people.

1. Here is some information about four countries. Based on this information, how would you
classify each of these countries. Write ‘democratic’, ‘undemocratic’ or ‘not sure’ against each
of these.
(a) Country A: People who do not accept the country’s official religion do not have a right to
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vote.
(b) Country B: The same party has been winning elections for the last twenty years.
(c) Country C: Ruling party has lost in the last three elections.
(d) Country D: There is no independent election commission.
Answer:
(a) Undemocratic
(b) Not sure
(c) Democratic
(d) Undemocratic

2. Here is some information about four countries. Based on this information, how would you
classify each of these countries. Write ‘democratic’, ‘undemocratic’ or ‘not sure’ against each
of these.
(a) Country P: The parliament cannot pass a law about the army without the consent of the
Chief of Army.
(b) Country Q: The parliament cannot pass a law reducing the powers of the judiciary.
(c) Country R: The country’s leaders cannot sign any treaty with another country without
taking permission from its neighbouring country.
(d) Country S: All the major economic decisions about the country are taken by officials of the
central bank which the ministers cannot change.
Answer:
(a) Undemocratic
(b) Democratic
(c) Undemocratic
(d) Undemocratic

3. Which of these is not a good argument in favour of democracy? Why?

(a) People feel free and equal in a democracy.
(b) Democracies resolve conflict in a better way than others.
(c) Democratic government is more accountable to the people.
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(d) Democracies are more prosperous than others.

Answer:
(d) Democracies are more prosperous than others.
This is not a good agreement as the prosperity of a country cannot be determined through its
form of government but through its economic condition. For example, a democratic country
like India is still a developing country, while a country following monarchy rule is economically
strong.

4. Each of these statements contains a democratic and undemocratic element. Write out the
two separately for each statement.
(a) A minister said that some laws have to be passed by the parliament in order to conform to
the regulations decided by the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
(b) The Election Commission ordered re-polling in a constituency where large-scale rigging
was reported.
(c) Women’s representation in the parliament has barely reached 10 percent. This led
women’s organisations to demand one-third seats for women.
Answer:
(a) Democratic: Passing of the laws by the Parliament.
Undemocratic: Conforming to the regulations decided by the World Trade Organisation.
(b) Democratic: The order to re-poll by the Election Commission.
Undemocratic: large scale rigging was reported
(c) Democratic: Demand by Women’s Organisation to reserve one-third seats for women.
Undemocratic: Women’s representation in parliament is less than 10 percent.

5. Which of these is not a valid reason for arguing that there is a lesser possibility of famine in
a democratic country?
(a) Opposition parties can draw attention to hunger and starvation.
(b) Free press can report suffering from famine in different parts of the country.
(c) Government fears its defeat in the next elections.
(d) People are free to believe in and practice any religion.
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Answer:
(d) “People are free to believe in and practise any religion” is not a valid reason because there
are lesser chances for famine to take place in a democratic country. This is because practicing of
religion is not at all related to famine.

6. There are 40 villages in a district where the government has made no provision for drinking
water. These villagers met and considered many methods of forcing the government to
respond to their needs. Which of these is not a democratic method?
(a) Filing a case in the courts claiming that water is part of the right to life.
(b) Boycotting the next elections to give a message to all parties.
(c) Organising public meetings against the government’s policies.
(d) Paying money to government officials to get water.
Answer:
(d) Paying money to government officials to get water is an undemocratic method.

7. Write a response to the following arguments against democracy.

(a) Army is the most disciplined and corruption-free organisation in the country. Therefore
the army should rule the country.
(b) Rule of the majority means the rule of ignorant people. What we need is the rule of the
wise, even if they are in small numbers.
(c) If we want religious leaders to guide us in spiritual matters, why not invite them to guide
us in politics as well. The country should be ruled by religious leaders.
Answer:
(a) Though the army the most disciplined and corruption-free organisation in the country,
however, it cannot be justified that they should rule the country. Primarily, because they do not
form a democratic government i.e. are not elected by the people. Secondarily, people will not
be allowed to voice their opinion or expression as all their fundamentals rights would be
curtailed. Also, there would be no assurance that the army cannot turn into a ruthful dictator at
any point of their rule, making the life of the people difficult. For example, the people of Chile
suffered under the rule of General Augusto Pinochet.
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(b) Such a thing would be against the principle of the Universal Adult Franchise, wherein every
person above the age of 18 yrs in our country irrespective of religion, caste, sex, socio-
economic background, etc. has the right to vote. Everyone has the right to participate equally in
the formation of the government. Therefore ignoring some sections of society would be unfair.
Moreover, wise men need not be necessarily good administrators.

(c) Those who say that the country should be ruled by religious leaders are making a very risky
statement. Because in a multi-religious country bringing religion into politics can cause serious
conflict among the people. Moreover, religious leaders can bring trouble to the country due to
their mutual conflicts of ideologies. Besides, many even do not have any experience in
administration. Thus, it is very necessary for them to run their own religious institutions and
need not meddle in the political affairs of the country.

8. Are the following statements in keeping with democracy as a value? Why?

(a) Father to daughter: I don’t want to hear your opinion about your marriage. In our family
children marry where the parents tell them to.
(b) Teacher to student: Don’t disturb my concentration by asking me questions in the
classroom.
(c) Employee to the officer: Our working hours must be reduced according to the law.
Answer:
(a) The statement made is an undemocratic statement as the girl is being denied as an
opportunity to voice her opinion and choose her partner. As per our Constitution, every citizen
who is 18 or above has the right to marry according to his/her choice.

(b) The statement made is undemocratic as the student is being denied the right to ask
questions/clear his doubts. The best the teacher can do is to ask the student to ask his query at
the end of the lecture; however, stopping him from doing so is incorrect.
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(c) The statement made is a democratic statement because here the employees are asking for
their fundamental rights. Within the norms of the company, the employees are always entitled
to ask or request their office for something.

9. Consider the following facts about a country and decide if you would call it a democracy.
Give reasons to support your decision.
(a) All the citizens of the country have the right to vote Elections are held regularly.
(b) The country took a loan from international agencies. One of the conditions for the given
loan was that the government would reduce its expenses on education and health.
(c) People speak more than seven languages but education is available only in one language,
the language spoken by 52 percent people of the country.
(d) Several organisations have given a call for peaceful demonstrations and nationwide
strikes in the country to oppose these policies. The government has arrested these leaders.
(e) The government owns the radio and television in the country. All the newspapers have to
get permission from the government to publish any news about the government’s policies
and protests.
Answer:
(a) Two important features of democracy are regular elections and universal adult franchise.

(b) Undemocratic: because it is undemocratic action to reduce expenses at the cost of the
people.

(c) The national language can be a single language because such a concept will bring about
national integrity but other languages also should be encouraged to cultivate in their respective
regions.

(d) Democracy provides people the right to strike or the right to free speech and
demonstrations.
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(e) A very important part of democracy is the freedom of the press. Therefore, the total control
of media shows that there is no freedom of speech and expression and the right to speak
against the government.
Thus, though the country is democratic in some manners, it is also undemocratic in some ways.

10. Write an essay on ‘Democracy and Poverty’ using the information given in this report but
using examples from India.
Answer:
Democracy and poverty have been inextricably linked in India ever since her birth. The political
independence of our country had been achieved through the mass participation of the rural
poor in the national movement. However, and unfortunately, since then this rural poor mass of
the Indian population has seen its influence shrink in national politics.

A decade by decade, India has cultivated its resources and added to its national financial
wealth, the rich have grown richer, and the poor have grown abysmally poorer. We have the
distinction of being the largest democracy in the world, but we are also one of the world’s
poorest countries, with gaping economic cleavages within our society.

The inequality of income is a concern that gets reflected directly in the operation of the
democratic process of our republic. Research has firmly established the fact that though the
majority of Indian voters come from the rural Indian hinterland, their influence on their elected
representatives and on the whole, on the process of national policymaking is shrinking with
each passing year. On the other hand, the richer sections of our society, though they do not
necessarily vote or have any discernible concern for their civic responsibilities, exercise leverage
on the policymaking in this country grossly disproportionate to their actual size in the
population.

Moreover, the culture of corporate funding of political parties has fast spawned its offspring in
the realms of the government establishment. It has made political parties and their leaders less
dependent on their actual electorate and has allowed them to ignore the real concerns of the
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public like agrarian reforms, fine-tuning of the Public Distribution System, agricultural subsidies,
and educational reforms.

To encapsulate, as we take pride in us being the largest democracy in the world, it is also
necessary to recognise and act on the fact that the phenomenon of gross economic inequalities
is putting a major limitation on its workability.

5. What are the difficulties people face in a non-democratic country? Give answers drawing
from the examples given in this chapter.
Answer:
The following are the difficulties people face in a non-democratic country.

• No freedom for people to elect their leaders.

• No freedom of speech and expression.
• Censorship of press.
• Single-party rule.
• No say in government policies.
• No freedom to form unions.
• People suffer violence and oppression without any legal redress.

For example, Pinochet’s military dictatorship in Chile tortured and killed several of those who
wanted democracy to be restored. Another example is the communist government that ruled in
several countries of East Europe in the 1980s. In these countries, people could not freely
choose leaders. Those who spoke against the government were put in prison.

6. Which freedoms are usually taken away when a democracy is overthrown by the military?
Answer:
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When democracy is overthrown by the military, the people of the country are deprived of many
freedoms.

• First of all, they lose the freedom of speech and expression and cannot say
anything against the military government.
• Secondly, they are not allowed to form political parties and workers’ unions.
• Thirdly, the people are deprived of their right to choose their own leader or
change them.

7. Which of the following positions can contribute to democracy at the global level? Give
reasons for your answer in each case.
a. My country gives more money to international institutions. Therefore, I want to be treated
with more respect and exercise more power.
b. My country may be small or poor, but my voice must be heard with equal respect because
these decisions will affect my country.
c. Wealthy nations will have a greater say in international affairs. They cannot let their interests
suffer just because they are outnumbered by poor nations.
d. Big countries like India must have a greater say in international organisations.
Answer:
a. No, it does not contribute towards democracy at a global level because every democracy’s
basic principle is equality. Every country or its people should enjoy equal status and rights
irrespective of it being poor or rich. Also, the amount of money the country contributes
towards international institutions is not the yardstick that determines the power a country can
have globally.

b. Yes, it does contribute towards democracy because it promotes a fundamental right-the right
to freedom of speech and expression. When every person of the country utilises his/her right to
express and be heard, he/she automatically supports democracy.
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c. No, it does not lead the democracy at the global level because at a universal level, all the
countries whether rich or poor are equal. There should be no distinctions between the
countries and all should be treated at par. Also, wealthy nations are not entitled to special
treatments.

d. No, it does not support democracy because geographical areas or the size of the country
cannot be the criteria to determine the superiority of that country.

8. Here are three opinions expressed in a television debate on the struggle for democracy in
Nepal. Which of these do you agree with and why?
Guest 1: India is a democracy. Therefore, the Indian government must support the people of
Nepal who are struggling against the monarchy and democracy.
Guest 2: That is a dangerous argument. We would be in the same position as the US was in Iraq.
Remember, no outside force can promote democracy.
Guest 3: But why should we bother about the internal affairs of another country? We should be
worried about our business interests there, not about democracy.
Answer:
The opinion of Guest 1 can be easily agreed with.
Being a democracy, India has to support the democratic aspirations of the Nepali people. The
Government of India is within its rights to declare support for those who are struggling for the
establishment of a democratic government. However, there has to be recognition of the fact
that no country can supplant democracy in another country. The push has to come from the
people of that particular nation