CBSE - Democracy in the Contemporary World

President Allende was a socialist and had taken many several policy decisions to help workers and poor. Thus, he addressed himself mainly to workers.
The rich were unhappy with him due to reform of the educational system, free milk for children and redistribution of land to the landless. He was opposed to foreign companies taking away natural resources like copper from the country.
 

No, the army didn't have any legal right to arrest the defence minister of the country It is totally against the law. They also don't have the power to arrest any citizen. The main duty of army is to protect the country from external threats.

In our country, Kerala has a shape similar to Chile

Poland at that time had only one workers union controlled by the Polish United Workers’ Party. So there was autocratic rule of this party. People could not form independent unions which voiced their grievances. There was no freedom of speech.
Trade unions are necessary as they help in maintaining or improving the conditions of the
workers. They represent the workers’ views and demands to the management and fight for their rights.

The period after 1975 till 2000 AD is the most important period in the expansion of democracy. In this period, most of the countries in Africa became independent and supported democratic governments. The USSR broke up and 15 independent states emerged in which most of them go with democracy. Many colonised countries also gained independence and marches towards democracy.

Many European countries became democratic by the beginning of the twentieth century but women didn't have voting rights because they were being not considered equal. They thought women were not capable of making decisions. They should stay at home, did household works and look after children. Thus, they were given voting rights much later than men.

In India, constitutions makers didn't make any discrimination against women and granted Universal Adult Franchise which gave voting rights to every c above the age of 18.

The Government of India can support Suu Kyi in all international forums and demand her freedom without interfering in the domestic affairs of the government of Myanmar. It must fight for her freedom under Human Rights.

Yes, there should be a world government. It should have representatives of all the nations and every nation should have equal status. Each nation should send its own representatives, elected by their people. They should have powers to fight for Human Rights and Democracy.

Yes, they should. The five veto powers should not be allowed to dictate terms to the rest of the world. They generally used this for their own interest.

Which of the following does not lead to the spread of democracy?
(a) Struggle by the people
(b) Invasion by foreign countries
(c) End of colonialism
(d) People’s desire for freedom
ANS (b) Invasion by foreign countries

Which of the following statements is true about today’s world?
(a) Monarchy as a form of government has vanished .
(b) The relationship between different countries has become more democratic than ever before.
(c) In more and more countries rulers are being elected by the people.
(d) There are no more military dictators in the world.
ANS (c) In more and more countries rulers are being elected by the people.

Democracy in the international organisations requires that …
(a) The rich countries should have a greater say.
(b) Countries should have a say according to their military power.
(c) Countries should be treated with respect in proportion to their population.
(d) All countries in the world should be treated equally..

ANS (d) All countries in the world should be treated equally..

Based on the information given in this chapter, match the following countries and the path democracy has taken in that country.
 

Answer
 

The difficulties people face in a non-democratic country are:
→ No freedom to elect their rulers.
→ People can't form organisation or organise protest against the rulers.
→ No freedom of speech and expression.
→ Don't have any say in government policies
→ Civic rights are curtailed.

The freedoms which are taken away when a democracy is overthrown by the military:
→ Freedom of electing their rulers.
→ Freedom of speech, expression and protest against any governmental policies.
→ People can't form political parties or organisations.

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 out numbered by poor nations.
d Big countries like India must have a greater say in international organisations.

Answer

a. If any country gives more money to international institutions and its citizens want more respect and more power, it would not contribute to democracy at the global level. Every country and its citizens enjoy equal status whether it is a poor or a rich country. Equality is the basic principle of democracy.

b. This position totally contributes to democracy at the global level as Democracy give equal right to every person. The wealth and size of a country don't matter in a global democracy.

c. This position does not lead to democracy at the global level because there should be no distinction made between the rich nations and the poor nations. All nations are equal in a Democracy.

d. No, this position can't contribute to democracy because the sizes or the geographical area of a country can't determine the status of a nation in global democracy.

Here are three opinions heard 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 monarchy and for 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

We can't totally neglect our neighbours as what doing in their country as it must affect our behaviour also. So in my opinion, Guest 1 is right in some way. We have to adopt some measures that will support the people who are struggling against monarchy and for democracy. Not by using armed forces but by some other cooperations which will not hurt the sentiments of the people. This will also help India in maintaining a good relationship with a democratic country rather than a monarchical rule.

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:

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’s statement is incorrect because the overthrowing of a foreign power just amounts to gaining sovereignty.

Champa’s statement is correct. A democracy is a rule of the people. The people should have the right to question their ruler.

Chandru’s statement is incorrect. Happiness of the people is only one factor of a democracy. The people might be happy with the king, but he is not an elected representative.

1. Which one of the following countries was the first to grant ‘Universal Suffrage’ ? 
(a) Russia
(b) Germany
(c) New Zealand
(d) Netherlands
2. Which one of the following is not the function of United Nations (UN) ? 
(a) Maintain international peace and security
(b) Solve social and political problems through international cooperation
(c) Install democratic governments in non­democratic countries
(d) Promote Human rights
3. Which of the following international institutions directly asks the concerned government to show all its accounts and directs it to make
changes in its economic policy ?
Choose the correct answer : 
(a) The General Assembly
(b) The Economic and Social Council
(c) The World Bank
(d) The Security Council
4. A direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal is termed as : 
(a) Coalition
(b) Referendum
(c) Veto
(d) Election
5. How many member countries are there in Security Council of the UN ? 
(a) 25
(b) 20
(c) 15
(d) 10
6. The President of the World Bank has always been a citizen of : 
(a) US
(b) UK
(c) Japan
(d) France
7. Soviet Union broke down in : 
(a) 1990
(b) 1991
(c) 1992
(d) 1993
8. ‘Gold coast’ was the ancient name of : 
(a) Poland
(b) Chile
(c) Myanmar
(d) Ghana
9. Pinochet’s military dictatorship came to an end in Chile in : 
(a) 1978
(b) 1988
(c) 1999
(d) 2000
10. Name of Ghana as British Colony was : 
(a) Burma
(b) Mesopotamia
(c) Ivory coast
(d) Gold coast
11. Power of permanent member of Security Council to say no is called : 
(a) Veto
(b) Ceato
(c) Referendum
(d) Objection
12. Name of the leader in Myanmar put under House arrest is : 
(a) Ban Ki Moon
(b) U. Thant
(c) Aung San Suu Kyi
(d) Khalida Zia
13. Organisation which lends money to Governments in need is : 
(a) NATO
(b) IMF
(c) UNESCO
(d) SAARC
14. Which of these countries is not a permanent member of Security Council : 
(a) Russia
(b) China
(c) France
(d) Germany
15. Who was the President of Chile, before 11 September 1973 ? 
(a) Fidel Castro
(b) Salvador Allende
(c) Gen. Augusto Pinochet
(d) Ernesto Guevara
16. Which one of the following refers to the right of a person, party or nation to stop a certain decision or law : 
(a) Martial Law
(b) Referendum
(c) Veto
(d) Electorate
17. A military coup took place in Chile on 11 September 1973. The Army General who led the coup was : [CBSE­2010­980709­C1, 710­
B1, B2, 2011­480025, 40]
(a) Gen. Allende
(b) Gen. Augusto Pinochet
(c) Gen. Hugo Chavez
(d) Gen. Alberto Bachelet
18. A condition under which the freedom of expression is taken away is called : [CBSE­2010­980710­B1, B2]
(a) Coalitionship
(b) Cancelship
(c) Comradeship
(d) Censorship
19. Fight for democracy in Myanmar is led by the leader of National League for Democracy. Her name is : [CBSE­2010­980711­A1, 721­
A1]
(a) Kys Soo Choo
(b) Sai Soo Cho Lee
(c) Aung San Suu Kyi (Soo Chi)
(d) None of the above
20. A system of rules that takes place when a military authority takes control of the normal administration of Justice. This is : [CBSE­
2010­980711­A2]
(a) Administration
(b) Justice law
(c) Common law
(d) Martial law
21. The permanent members of UN Security Council have the power of “Veto” . Which one of the following statements is incorrect with
reference to veto ?
[CBSE­2010­980715­A1]
(a) The word has Latin origin which means “I forbid” .
(b) It gives unlimited power to stop a decision
(c) It can be exercised by any permanent member
(d) It can be used to adopt a decision also
22. By 1900 which was the only country in the world to grant Universal Adult Franchise to its citizens ? [CBSE­2010­980715­B1]
(a) Russia
(b) Germany
(c) USA
(d) New Zealand
23. Choose the correct meaning of the term “VETO” [CBSE­2010­980715­B1, 2011­480023, 33]
(a) It means to pass a decision by majority
(b) It means to pass a decision by two third majority
(c) It means to stop a decision by a single member
(d) It means to adopt a decision by a single member
24. Who is the present Secretary General of the United Nations Organisation? [CBSE­2010­980720­A1]
(a) Kofi Annan
(b) Trygve Lie
(c) Ban Ki Moon
(d) U­Thant
25. Strike the odd one out : [CBSE­2010­980720­A1]
(a) General Assembly
(b) International Court of Justice
(c) Security Council
(d) Veto
edback Online Users   
26. Which organ of the United Nations is responsible for maintaining peace and security among countries ? [CBSE­2010­980720­B1,
2011­480036]
(a) UN Security Council
(b) International Monetary Fund
(c) World Bank
(d) General Assembly
27. Which country is not a permanent member of UN Security Council ? [CBSE­2010­980720­C1]
(a) China
(b) France
(c) United States of America
(d) Japan
28. Why was International Monetary Fund established ? [CBSE­2010­980720­C1]
(a) To maintain peace and security among the countries.
(b) Lends money to governments of member nations when in need.
(c) To implement and formulate trade agreements.
(d) To take decision regarding misery and poverty of western countries.
29. First Prime Minister of Ghana was : [CBSE­2010­721­A1]
(a) Augusto Pinochet
(b) N Krumah
(c) General Bachelet
(d) Allende
30. Who was the leader of Solidarity Movement in Poland ? [CBSE­2010­980721­C1, 2011­480024]
(a) Michelle Bachelet
(b) Salvador Allende
(c) Lech Walesa
(d) Pinochet
31. Which was the only country where every adult had voting right by 1900 ? [CBSE­2010­980724­A1, 2011­480026]
(a) U.S.A.
(b) U.K.
(c) New Zealand
(d) Australia
32. What was one major demand in the nineteenth century struggles for democracy ? [CBSE­2010­980724­A1]
(a) Political equality 
(b) Freedom and justice
(c) Equal rights to women
(d) Right for every adult citizen to vote
33. What is the total number of members in the UN General Assembly ? [CBSE­2010­980724­A2, 2011­480040]
(a) 200
(b) 190
(c) 192
(d) 205
34. Who among the following in UN has always been a citizen of the US ? [CBSE­2010­980724­A2]
(a) Treasury Secretary
(b) President of the World Bank
(c) Finance Secretary
(d) Secretary General

ANSWERS
1. (c) New Zealand
2. (c) Install democratic governments in non­democratic countries
3. (c) The World Bank
4. (b) Referendum
5. (c) 15
6. (a) US
7. (b) 1991
8. (d) Ghana
9. (b) 1988
10. (d) Gold coast
11. (a) Veto
12. (c) Aung San Suu Kyi
13. (b) IMF
14. (d) Germany
15. (b) Salvador Allende
16. (c) Veto
17. (b) Gen. Augusto Pinochet
18. (d) Censorship
19. (c) Aung San Suu Kyi (Soo Chi)
20. (d) Martial law
21. (d) It can be used to adopt a decision also
22. (d) New Zealand
23. (c) It means to stop a decision by a single member
24. (c) Ban Ki Moon
25. (d) Veto
26. (a) UN Security Council
27. (d) Japan
28. (b) Lends money to governments of member nations when in need.
29. (b) N Krumah
30. (c) Lech Walesa
31. (c) New Zealand
32. (d) Right for every adult citizen to vote
33. (c) 192
34. (b) President of the World Bank
 

It is an organ of United Nation, is responsible for maintaining peace and security among countries

United States, Russia, United Kingdom, France and China 

The right of a person, party or nation to stop a certain decision or law. 

1932 

1. No other political party was allowed to function.

2. The people were not allowed to choose their representatives.

3. Those who criticize government policies were put in prison. 

1. Pinochet’s government tortured and killed several of those who supported Allende and those who wanted democracy to be restored.

2. The leaders became arbitrary rulers and no one can question them.

3. The people of Chile had not forgotten their democratic tradition.

4. There was absence of political freedom

1. After referendum Pinochet lost first his political and then his military powers.

2. Political freedom was restored. Since then Chile has held for Presidential elections in which different political parties have participated.

3. Slowly, the army’s role in the country’s government has been eliminated.

4. The elected government that came to power ordered inquires into Pinochet’s rule. 

1. Organisation of Solidarity was the main reason of decline of the communist rule in Poland.

2. The polish Government became very weaker and the support from Soviet Union uncertain.

3.  The economy was declined.

4. Negotiation with Walesa resulted in an agreement in April 1989 for free elections.

5. Solidarity contested all the hundred seats of the senate and won ninety nine of them.

1. The Workers led by Walesa signed a twenty one point agreement with the government that ended their strike. 

2. The government agreed to recognize the workers right to form independent trade unions

3. According to this agreement works got the right to strike.

4. This agreement was also known as Gdansk Agreement. 

1. Women were given voting rights much later than man in most countries because in these countries there were male dominant societies.  

2. They considered women as physically and mentally inferior to men.

3. The conservative nature of the societies was also reason for it.

4. Lack of education and awareness was also responsible for gender discrimination. 

1. The UN is not a parliament or government of the world. It cannot pass any law that will apply to all the people of the world. Even then, it makes law and rules that put some restrictions on what governments can do.

2. The UN has evolved many conventions, for examples, governing the seas or controlling environmental degradation.

3. As a global association, it provides help and cooperation in international law, security, economic development and social equality.

4. The Un Security Council is responsible for maintaining peace and security among countries.

5. The IMF and the World Bank are the agencies of the UN. They provide loans to the governments in times of need. 

1. Every one of the 193 member states of the UN has one vote in the General Assembly. In that sense the UN would appear to be a very democratic organization.

2. But the General Assembly cannot take any decision about what action should be taken in a conflict between different countries.

3. The fifteen members Security Council of the UN takes such Crucial Decisions.

4. The council has five permanent members-US, Russia, UK, France and China.

5. Each Permanent member has veto power. It means that the council cannot take a decision if any permanent member says no to that decision.

6    This system has led more and more people and countries to protest and demand that the UN becomes more democratic. 

Ghana

The strike begun in the shipyard of Gdansk city of Poland because the government unjustly dismissed a woman who was a crane operator. 

The UN Secretary General Kofi Annan 

1979 

1. The IMF id International Monetary Fund. It is a largest Money lender to the countries.

2. It supervises and oversees those financial institutions and regulations that act at the international level.

3. It aims at promoting international monetary cooperation and the expansion of international trade and assisting in the removal of exchange restrictions.

4. The IMF makes its resources available under proper safeguard to its members to meet short term or medium term payment difficulties. 

1. The functioning of the IMF can be stated as non democratic.

2. Its 185 member states do not have equal voting rights.

3. The top ten countries have over fifty four percent of the voting power in the IMF.

4. The remaining 175 countries have very little say in its functioning and decision making.

1. The Un Security council is responsible for maintaining peace and security among countries.

2. If need arises it can put together an international army and take action against the wrong doer.

3. Security Council is a very important organ of United Nations. 

1. The United Nations is a global association of nations of the world to help cooperation in international law.

2. It also provides cooperation in security, economic development and social equity to the nations.

3. The UN Secretary General is its chief administrative officer.

4. The Un Security council is responsible for maintaining peace and security among countries.

1. An elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi was not recognized by the military ruler.

2. He refused to step down.

3. The military put the elected pro democracy leader, including Suu Kyi, under house arrest.

4. Political activists accused of even the most trivial offences have been jailed. 

1. In Nepal, the king gave up many of his powers to become a constitutional Monarch to be guided by elected leaders. In 2005, the new king of Nepal dismissed the elected government and took back political freedom that people had won in the previous decade.

2. In 1999, General Parvej Musharraf brought back army rule in Pakistan. He declares himself President of the country. 

1. Iraq is country in Western Asia. It became independent from British rule in 1932.  

2. The decades later there were a series of coups by military officers. Since 1968, it was ruled by Arab Socialist Ba’ath Party. Saddam Hussein, a leading Ba’ath party leader played key role in the 1968 coup that brought the party to power.

3. This government abolished traditional Islamic law and gave women the right to vote and several freedoms not granted in other west Asian countries.  

4. After becoming the president of Iraq in 1979, Saddam ran a dictatorial government and suppressed any dissent or opposition to his rule.  

5. He was known to have got a number of political opponents killed and persons of ethnic minorities massacred. 

1. After 1980, as democracy was revived in several countries of Latin America. The disintegration of the Soviet Union accelerated this process from the story of Poland. We know that the then Soviet Union controlled many of its neighboring communist countries in Eastern Europe. Poland and several other countries became free from the control of the Soviet Union during 1989-90. They chose to become democracies.

2. Finally the Soviet Union itself broke down in 1991. The Soviet Union Comprised 15 republics. All the constituent republics emerged as independent countries. Most of them became democracies.

3. In this period Pakistan and Bangladesh made transition from army rule to democracy in 1990.

4. In Nepal, the king gave up many of his powers to become a constitutional monarch to be guided by elected leaders.