CBSE - What is Democracy Why Democracy

A simple Definition: Democracy is a form of government in which the rulers are elected by the people.

• The rulers are elected by the people.

• Free and competitive elections are held.

• Each adult irrespective of religion, education, caste, colour, wealth have one vote, one value.

• The elected rulers take decisions within limits set by constitutional law and citizens’ rights.

• Rule of Law

• The rights of the citizens must be protected through Constitution.

• There must be an independent judiciary.

• There are many instances of denial of equal right to vote.

→In Saudi Arabia women do not have the right to vote.

→ Estonia has made its citizenship rules in such a way that people belonging to Russian minority find it difficult to get the right to vote.

→ In Fiji, the electoral system is such that the vote of an indigenous Fiji has more value than that of an Indian-Fijian.

• In a democracy, each adult citizen must have one vote and each vote must have one value.

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 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

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

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.
(d) Democracies are more prosperous than others. 

Answer

Option 'D' Democracies are more prosperous than others is not a good argument in favour of democracy as there are many countries such as Sri Lanka, India which opted for democracy but not prosperous where other countries such as China or Saudi Arabia which have communist and monarchy rule respectively are more prosperous. The prosperity of any country depends on the correct policies of the government. It also depends on the availibility of natural resources not with the form of government. Democracy can't guarantee prosperity.

Each of these statements contains a democratic and an 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 per cent. This led women’s organisations to demand one-third seats for women.

Answer

(a) A minister said that some laws have to be passed by the parliament - Democratic element to the regulations decided by the World Trade Organisation (WTO). - Undemocratic element

(b) The Election Commission ordered re-polling in a constituency - Democratic element large-scale rigging was reported - Undemocratic element

(c) This led women’s organisations to demand one-third seats for women. - Democratic element Women’s representation in the parliament has barely reached 10 percent. - Undemocratic element

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 practise any religion.

Answer

Option ‘d’ is not a valid reason for arguing that there is a lesser possibility of famine in a democratic country. This is because practising a religion has nothing to do with preventing famine.

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 need. Which of these is not a democratic method?
(a) Filing a case in the courts claiming that water is part of right to life.
(b) Boycotting the next elections to give a message to all parties.
(c) Organising public meetings against government’s policies.
(d) Paying money to government officials to get water.

Answer

Option ‘d’, which advocates paying the government officials money, is an undemocratic method.

Write a response to the following arguments against democracy.
(a) Army is the most disciplined and corruption-free organisation in the country. Therefore 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 democracy is  government elected by the people, from among the people themselves. The Army is integral in protecting the country, but it is not elected by the people; hence, it cannot form a democratic government. The second statement is not true as all people are intelligent to some extent. The third statement is dangerous because bringing religion into politics can cause serious conflict.

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) This statement of father is undemocratic as every adult has right to choose their life partner. The father does not have right to impose their choice on daughter.

(b) This statement also is not under democratic setup. The student have right to ask question. This is undemocratic if his right is denied.

(c) The third statement is democratic as it calls for a rule of law which is beneficial for the employees.

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 right to vote Elections are held regularly.
(b) The country took loan from international agencies. One of the conditions for 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 nation wide strikes in the country to oppose these policies. 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 government’s policies and protests.

Answer

(a) This is democracy as only democratic setup allow right to vote and also election at regular time period.

(b) A democratic country has to look after the welfare of its people. The condition of reducing of expenses on health and education is against the welfare of the people.

(c) In democracy, education is available in all languages as it basic right. Official language can be the language of majority of people.

(d) In a democracy, people have right to express their opinion in peaceful manner. It is undemocratic behaviour.

(e) This is undemocratic nature as in democracy freedom of press and media is must. If government own radio and television then freedom of press violated.

Q.1.The word ‘Democracy’ comes from the Greek word –
(a) Democracia (b) Demokratia (c) Demos (d) Kratia

Q.2.What kind of government is there in Myanmar?
(a) Government elected by the people (b) Communist government (c) Army rule (d) Monarchy

Q.3.The head of the government in Nepal is the:
(a) President (b) Prime Minister (c) King (d) Vice President

Q.4. Who led a military coup in Pakistan in 1999?
(a) Benazir Bhutto (b) Nawaz Sharif (c) Pervez Musharraf (d) None of the above

Q.5. In which case was the real power with external powers and not with the locally elected representatives?
(a) India in Sri Lanka (b) US in Iraq (c) USSR in Communist Poland (d) Both (b) and (c)

Q.6. ‘One person, one vote’ means
(a) One person is to be voted by all (b) One person has one vote and each vote has one value
(c) A person can vote only once in his life (d) both (a) and (c)

Q.7. How many members are elected to the National People’s Congress from all over China?
(a) 3050 (b) 3000 (c) 4000 (d) 2000

Q8. Why can the Chinese government not be called a democratic government even though elections are held there?
(a) Army participates in election (b) Government is not accountable to the people
(c) Some parts of China are not represented at all (d) Government is always formed by the Communist Party

Q9.Which party always won elections in Mexico since its independence in 1930 until 2000?
(a) Revolutionary Party (b) Mexican Revolutionary Party
(c) Institutional Revolutionary Party (d) Institutional Party

Q.10. Democracy must be based on
(a) One­party system (b) Free and fair election 
(c) Choice from only the ruling party (d) All the above

Q.11. When did Zimbabwe attain independence and from whom?
(a) 1970, from Black minority rule (b) 1880, from White minority rule
(c) 1980, from Americans (d) 1980, from White minority rule

Q.12.Which party has ruled Zimbabwe since its independence and who is its ruler?
(a) ZANU­PF, Robert Mugabe (b) ZANU­PF, Kenneth Kaunda
(c) Zimbabwe Freedom Party, Nelson Mandela (d) Zimbabwe Party, P Johnson

Q.13 which of these features is/are necessary to provide the basic rights to the citizens?
(a) Citizens should be free to think (b) should be free to form associations
(c) Should be free to raise protest (d) All the above

ANS

1 (b) 2 (c) 3 (a) 4 (c) 5 (d) 6 (b) 7 (b) 8 (d) 9 (c) 10 (b) 11 (d) 12 (a)
 

Q.13 which of these features is/are necessary to provide the basic rights to the citizens?
(a) Citizens should be free to think (b) should be free to form associations
(c) Should be free to raise protest (d) All the above

Q.14.Which organ of the government is required to protect the rights of the citizens?
(a) Executive (b) Legislature (c) Independent judiciary (d) Police

Q.15. What is Constitutional Law?
(a) Provisions given in the Constitution (b) Law to make Constitution
(c) Law to set up Constituent Assembly (d) none of the above

Q.16.Which of these is permitted under the Rule of Law?
(a) Prime Minister can be punished for violating the Constitution. (b) Police has a right to kill anybody.
(c) Women can be paid lesser salaries (d) President can rule for as long as he wants.

Q.17.Some of the drawbacks of democracy is
(a) Instability and delays (b) corruption and hypocrisy
(c) Politicians fighting among themselves (d) all the above

Q.18. In which of these cases can democracy not provides a complete solution?
(a) Removing poverty completely (b) Providing education to all
(c) Giving jobs to all (d) All the above
 
Q19. In which period did China face one of the worst famines that have occurred in the world?
(a) 1932­36 (b) 1958­61 (c) 2001­2002 (d) 2004­2007

Q20 A democratic government is better than a non­democratic government because
(a) It may or may not be accountable (b) It always responds to the needs of the people
(c) It is a more accountable form of government (d) None of the above

Q.21. Democracy improves the quality of decision­making because
(a) Decisions are taken by educated people (b) Decisions are taken by consultation and discussion
(c) Decisions are taken over a long period of time (d) All decisions are approved by judiciary

Q.22.How does democracy allows us to correct its own mistakes?
(a) Mistakes are hidden and cannot be corrected
(b) Re­electing the same government to enable it to correct its mistakes
(c) The rulers can be changed (d) none of the above

Q.23.The most common form that democracy takes in our time is that of
(a) Limited democracy (b) representative democracy
(c) Maximum democracy (d) none of the above

Q.24.Which body in Indian political system is an example of direct democracy?
(a) Zila Parishad (b) Panchayat Samiti (c) Gram Sabha (d) Vidhan Sabha

Q.25.Which of these is an example of perfect democracy?
(a) USA (b) UK (c) India (d) None of the above

Q.26Which of these is not a feature of monarchy, dictatorship or one­party rule?
(a) Censorship of press (b) No opposition party or parties
(c) Citizens taking part in politics (d) One­man rule

ANS

13 (d) 14 (c) 15 (a) 16 (a) 17 (d) 18 (d) 19 (b) 20 (c) 21(b) 22 (c) 23 (b) 24 (c) 25 (d) 26 (c)
 

PRI is the political party of Mexico- Institutional Revolutionary Party

Referendum is the direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal

October 1999 

Because democratic decisions always involves many persons, discussions and meetings. 

1. Yes, it is correct to say that respect for citizen’s rights were not followed in Zimbabwe

2. Opposition party workers were harassed and their meetings disrupted.

3. Public demonstrations and protests were declared illegal.

4. There is a law that limits the right to criticize the President. 
 

1. Yes, it is correct to say that respect for citizen’s rights were not followed in Pakistan.

2. In August 2002 he issued legal framework order that amended the constitution of Pakistan.

3. According to this order, the President can dismiss the national and provincial assemblies.

4.  The work of the civilian cabinet is supervised by the National Security Council which is dominated by military officers 

1. Yes, it is correct to say that respect for citizen’s rights were not followed in China. Elections procedure is not democratic in china.

2. The national People’s Congress has the power to appoint the President of country.

3. Before contesting elections, candidate needs the approval of the Chinese Communist Party.  

4. Only those who are members of the Chinese Communist Party or eight smaller parties allied to it were allowed to contest elections held in 2001-03.  

5. The government is always formed by communist party. 

1. Yes, it is correct to say that respect for citizen’s rights were not followed in Mexico. Elections procedure is not democratic.  

2. The PRI was known to use many dirty tricks to win the elections. 

3. All those who are employed in government offices had to attend its party meetings.

4. Teachers of government schools used to force parents to vote for PRI.

5. Opposition parties did contest elections but never manage to win. 

1. Representative democracy is the most common form of democracy.

2. This form of democracy is necessary because the population of modern democratic states is very large and it is physically impossible for each member to participate in decision making process.

3. Even they could sit together, do not have the time, desire, experience for participating in decision making process. 

1. Every citizen must be able to play equal role in decision making.

2. An equal right to vote is not enough; people need to have equal information, basic education, and equal resources.

3. Good democracy will come only when no one goes hungry to bed.

4. When every person has employment and accessibility of basic needs. 

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

2. Democracy is all about political competition and power play. There is no scope for morality.

3. So many people have to be consulted in a democracy that it leads to delays.  

4. Elected leaders do not know the best interest of the people. It leads to bad decisions.

5. Democracy leads to corruption for it is based on electoral competition.

6 Ordinary people don’t know what is good for them; they should not decide anything. 

1. Democracy is based on consultation and discussion.

2. A democratic decision always involves many persons, discussion and meeting.

3. When a number of people put together they are able to point out possible mistakes in any decision.

4. This reduces the chances of rash or irresponsible decision.

5. Thus democracy improves the quality of decision making. 

After every six year. 

Estonia

Members of the national People’s Congress 

India 

1. Only elections are not sufficient to guarantee the existence of democratic government.

2. There should be choice before the voters to elect the representatives. Election system should not be like China.

3. One vote one Person and one value. Elections should be based on this principle. 

1. It depends upon on the citizens that what type of representative they are elected.

2. It depends on the awareness and participation of people.

3. In a democracy every citizen must be able to play equal role in decision making.

4. Both the rulers and the ruled should try to realize the ideals of democratic decisions. 
 

1. No the army should not rule the country.

2. The army officials are not elected by the people.

3. Whereas the in democracy the rulers are elected by the people. 

1. Democratic government is a responsible government.

2. The representatives elected by the people so it remains responsible towards people.

3.  In case they do not remain responsible before the people can change them during the next elections. 

1. Democracy is based on political equality which ensures equal rights.

2. Both the rich and poor the educated and educated get equal rights.

3. Democracy enhances the dignity of the people. 

1. It is only in democracy that mistakes are admitted and all attempts are made to correct these mistakes. 

2. If mistakes are made it is only in democracy that they are admitted and then corrected.

3. In democracy thus there is a room for correction. 

1. Democracy enhances the dignity of citizens.

2. Democracy is based on the principle of political equality, on recognizing that the poorest and the least educated have the same status as the rich and the educated.

3.  People are not subjected of a ruler, they are the rulers themselves.

4. All the citizens are equal before law.

5. Democracies have provided opportunities to women to get equal treatment. 

1. No, it is not good to elect a President for life. But it is certainly better to hold regular elections after a fixed tenure, which should be of five years.

2. Rulers elected by the people can take final decision on all the major issues.

3. Such elections offer a choice and fair opportunity to the people to change the current rulers.

4. This choice and opportunity is available to all the people on an equal basis.

5. The exercise of this choice leads to a government limited by basic rules of the constitution and citizens’ right.