PARAS VIDYA VIHAR

Class 9 Subject: Civics

Chapter – 2: What is Democracy? Why Democracy?

Topics in the Chapter

• What is Democracy?
• Features of Democracy
→ Major Decisions by elected leaders
→ Free and fair electoral competition
→ One person, one vote, One value
→ Rule of Law and respect for rights
• Why Democracy?
→ Arguments against democracy
→ Arguments for democracy
• Broader meanings of Democracy

What is Democracy?

• A simple Definition: Democracy is a form of government in which the rulers are

elected by the people.

Features of Democracy

• 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.

Major Decisions by Elected leaders

• In Pakistan, General Pervez Musharraf led a military coup in October 1999 and
overthrew democratically elected government and became President of the country.
→ In 2002, he held a referendum in the country which was based on malpractices
and fraud granted him a five-year extension.
→ After passing law, ‘Legal Framework Order’ which gave the president power to
dismiss the national and provincial assemblies, elections were held to the national
and provincial assemblies.

• In this case, Pakistan has had elections, elected representatives have some
powers. But the final power rests with military officers and General Musharraf
himself. So,this should not be called a democracy.

• In a democracy, the final decision-making power must rest with those elected by
the people.

Free and fair electoral competition

• In China, elections are regularly held after every five years for electing the
country’s parliament called National People’s Congress.
→ Before contesting elections, a candidate needs the approval of the Chinese
Communist Party.
→ The government is always formed by the Communist Party.

• Mexico holds elections after every six years to elect its President.
→ But until 2000 every election was won by a party called PRI (Institutional
Revolutionary Party). → Opposition parties did contest elections, but never
managed to win as PRI was known to use many dirty tricks to win elections.

• Both the cases should not be called a democracy.

• A democracy must be based on a free and fair election where those currently in
power have a fair chance of losing.
One person, one vote, One value

• 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.

Rule of Law and respect for rights

• Since independence, Zimbabwe ruled by ZANU-PF.

→ Its leader, Robert Mugabe has been ruling the country. He is popular but also
uses unfair practices in elections.
→ Elections have been held regularly and always won by ZANU-PF.
→ Opposition party workers are harassed and their meeting disrupted.
→ Public protests and demonstrations against the government are declared illegal.
→ Television and radio are controlled by the government and give only the ruling
party’s version.
→ Independent newspapers are there but the government harasses those
journalists who go against it.
→ The government has ignored some court judgments that went against it and has
pressurised judges.

• In this case, government is not democratic as there is no there is no citzen' basic

rights, no political opposition, no judiciary.

• A democratic government rule within limits set by constitutional law and citizens’
rights.
Why Democracy?

Arguments against 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.

Arguments for democracy

• 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.

• Democracy allows us to correct its own mistakes.

Broader Meanings of Democracy

• The most common form that democracy takes in our times is that of a
representative democracy where majority is allowed to take decisions on behalf of
all the people.
→ The majority of people rule through their elected representatives.

• A democratic decision involves consultation with and consent of all those who are
affected by that
decision.

• Democracy is a principle that can be applied to any sphere of life.

→ Democracy can apply to a government or a family or any other organisation.
 NCERT Solutions

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 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.
(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.

4. 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

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 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.

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 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.
7.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.

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) 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.
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 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.
 Very Short Answer Questions:

1. What is a referendum?

Answer

A direct vote in which the entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a
proposal.

2. Mention one non-democratic feature of President Mugabe's Government ?

Answer

The ruler is not accountable.

3. In which country the women do not have the right to vote ?

Answer

Saudi Arabia.

4. Which party of Zimbabwe led the struggle for independence?

Answer

Zimbabwe African national union

5. Name one non-democratic country.

Answer

Pakistan.

6. Name the country where the people belonging to Russian minority find difficult to
get the right to vote.

Answer

In Estonia, the people belonging to Russian minority find difficult to get the right to
vote.
 Short Answer Questions:
1. How did General Pervez Musharraf become the President of Pakistan?

Answer

General Pervez Musharraf became the President of Pakistan by :

• In Pakistan, General 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, in 2002 held a referendum in the
country that granted him a five year extension.

2. 'Major decisions in a democracy must be taken by elected leaders.' Justify the

statement by giving two reasons and a suitable example.

Answer

In Pakistan after passing a law election are held to national and state assemblies.
• So now elected representatives must have some powers but final power rests with
military officers.
• Those who take final decisions are not elected by the people.
• They have formally elected a parliament and government but the real power is in
the hands of those who are not elected.

3. Democracy is based on the principle of political equality. Give two instances of

denial of equal right to vote.

Answer

Examples to prove that political equality is still missing in many countries are:
• In Saudi Arabia, women do not have 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-Fiji.
• In Estonia, Russian minority find it difficult to get the right to vote.

4. Examine the three common features of democratic countries.

Answer

Following are the features of democratic countries :

• Freedom of speech, expression and thought is a feature of democracy.
• Elections are held at regular intervals and are fair and free.
• The dignity of the individual is recognised
5. Define democracy and elaborate any two common features of it.

Answer

Democracy is a form of government that allows people to choose their rulers.

Features :
• Only leaders elected by people rule the country.
• People have the freedom to express their views.
• Certain political freedom is enjoyed by the people.

Long Answer Questions (LAQs):

1. Enlist the rights/freedoms which people do not enjoy in non-democratic countries.

Answer

The rights which the people of non-democratic

countries cannot enjoy are
• People cannot choose/change rulers.
• No real freedom to express opinions.
• No freedom to form political associations.
• No freedom to organise protests/action.
• No right to question authority.

2. Highlight any five unfair practices used by the President of Zimbabwe to win the
elections.

Answer

Unfair practices used by the President

• His government has changed the constitution several times to increase his power.
• Opposition party workers are harassed and their meetings disrupted.
• Public protests and demonstrations against the government are declared illegal.
• Laws that limit the right to criticise the president were passed.
• Television and radio are controlled by the government.
 Extra Questions

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.

What is democracy? Give examples of non-democratic countries?

Answer:.

Democracy is a form of government where leaders are elected by the people.

The examples of non-democratic countries are:

Army rulers of Myanmar are not elected by the people i.e. those who are in the
government are not elected by the people. People have no say in the government.

Pinochet like dictators in Chile was not elected by the people.

The king ruled in Saudi Arabia and Nepal because he bom in a royal family.

Question 2.

What amendent did General Peraz Musharraf bring in the constitution of Pakisthan
by issuing a “Legal Framework Order” in August 2002?

Answer:

The Legal Framework Order, 2002, By General Musharraf amending the constitution
of Pakistan was as follows:

The President could dismiss the national or provincial assemblies.

The work of the civilian cabinet was to be supervised by a National Security Council
headed by military officers.

Elections were to be held to the national and state assemblies. But the final powers
rested with military officers and General Musharraf.
 Question 3.

Compare the democratic system in China with that in Mexico.

Answer:

System in China System in Mexico

(a) In China elections do not (a) In Mexico the people seem to have a choice but

offer any choice. practically they did not have any choice.

(b) People have to choose the

(b) There was no way the ruling party could be defeated
ruling party and the
even if the people were against it.
candidates approved by it.

Question 4.

Mention three instances which are exceptions of the principle of one person, one
vote and one value.

Or

Write any three instances of denial of equal right to vote in the world politics.

Answer:

Democracy is based on the basic principle of political equality. In a democracy, each

adult citizen must have one vote and each vote has one value. Three instances
where this is denied are:
In Saudi Arabia, the women are not given the right to vote.

In Estonia, the citizenship rules are made in such a way that people belonging to
Russian minority find it difficult to get the right to vote.

In Fiji, the vote of an indigenous Fiji an has more value than that of an Indian-Fijian.

Question 5.

Explain with an example how popular governments can be undemocratic and

popular leader can be autocratic.

Or

ZANU-PF wins the elections every five years in Zimbabwe. Are the leaders of
ZANU-PF close to the values of democracy? Explain.

Answer:

Since its independence in 1980, Zimbabwe has been ruled by ZANU-PF and Robert
Mugabe as its leader. The leaders of ZANU-PF were not close to the values of
democracy in the following ways:

Elections have been held regularly and always won by ZANU-PF. President Mugabe
is popular but also uses unfair practices in elections.

Over the years his government has changed the constitution several times to make
the President more powerful and less accountable.

Opposition party workers are harassed and their meetings disrupted. Public protests
and demonstrations against the government are declared illegal.

Television and radio are controlled by the government and give only the
government’s version.

(any three)
Question 6.

Mention three essential features of democracy.

Answer:

The three essential features of democracy are as follows:

In a democracy, the final decision-making power must be with those elected by the
people.

A democracy must be based on free and fair elections where those currently in
power have a fair chance of losing.

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

A democratic government rules within the limits set by the constitutional law and
citizen’s rights.(any three)

Question 7.

“China’s famine of 1958-61 was a result of government policies.” Explain.

Answer:

China’s famine of 1958-61 was the world’s worst recorded famine in the world
history. Nearly three crore of people died in this famine. During this time India was
not much better than China yet it did not face such a famine.

According to economists, it was the result of different government policies in the two
countries. The existence of democracy in India made it respond to food security in a
way that the Chinese government did not.

If China had a multi-party system then it would have been checked by the opposition
and if the press was free to criticise the government then so many people would not
have died.
Question 8.

How does democracy improve the quality of decision-making?

Answer:

Democracy improve the quality of decision-making in the following ways:

Democracy is based on consultation and discussion. In a democracy, decision-

making always involves many persons, discussions and meetings.

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

This procedure takes time. But there is a big advantage in taking time over important
decisions as it prevents one from taking rash or irresponsible decisions.

Question 9.

Democracy provides a method to deal with differences and conflicts. Explain.

Answer:

In any society, people are bound to have difference of opinion and interests. These
are particularly

sharp in India which has an amazing social diversity.

People belong to different regions, speak different languages, practise different

religions, have different castes. The preferences of one group may clash with those
of others.

This clash of decisions can be solved by brutal power. Whichever group is more
powerful will dictate its terms and others will have to accept that. But this will lead to
resentment.

But in a democracy, one can find a solution to this. Here no one is a permanent
winner. No one is a permanent loser. Different groups can live with one another
peacefully e.g. In India different people live together.
Question 10.

How does democracy enhance the dignity of the citizens?

Answer:

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

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

Even when they make mistakes they are responsible for their own mistakes.

Thus, democracy enhances the dignity of the citizens.

Question 11.

Why is democracy considered the best form of government?

Answer:

Democracy is considered the best form of government for the reasons as follow:

Democracy cannot give us everything but it is clearly better than any other
alternative. It is a government responsive to the needs of the people.

It is likely to respect people’s wishes and allows different kinds of people to live
together.

Even when it fails to do some of these things, it allows ways of correcting its
mistakes and offers more dignity to all its citizens. That is why its is considered the
best form of government.
Question 12.

What according to you is the broader meaning of democracy?

Or

What do you understand by the “broader meaning of democracy”? Explain in three

points.

Answer:

Democracy is a form of government in which people’s representatives sit together to

take decisions.

Elections are held to choose the representatives and native people or citizens are
allowed to participate in the elections.

Democracy, as a principle, can be applied to any sphere of life. In a true democracy

no one goes to bed hungry, or denied equal information, basic education and equal
resources.

Question 13.

What is the role of citizens in a democracy?

Answer:

No democracy can function in the absence of socially responsible and informed

citizens.

Citizens maintain social harmony by mutually respecting and tolerating differences

and views of all others who disagree with them.

As citizens have the right to express their dissent, they act as a director to the
government where they express their grievances through channels provided by the
democratic system.

Citizens also play a decisive role in the establishment of a welfare government by

participating and seeking to influence public opinion.

When the citizens exercise their right to vote, they provide directions to the whole
democratic process.
 Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.

Compare the features of Democratic and non-democratic governments.

Answer:

Democratic Government Non-Democratic Government

(a) Only these elected by the people, rule the (a) People can not choose their rulers or change them. They are

country. The electorate choose their representatives either military dictators or hereditary rulers e.g. in Myanmar and in

at the time of election. Saudi Arabia.

(b) Citizens enjoy various freedoms like freedom of (b) People do not have any freedom. They cannot criticise the

expression or freedom to form associations. government. They cannot form associations.

(c) People may not have any elected representatives e.g. in

(c) Major decisions are taken by the elected leaders. Pakistan. Even if they elect they cannot take final decisions. The

decisions are taken by their leaders (dictators and monarchs).

(d) A democratic government is based on free and (d) There are no free and fair elect’ons e.g. In China only those who

fair elections where those in power have a fair are members of the Chinese Communist Party are allowed to

chance of losing. contest elections and form the government.

(e) In a democracy, each adult has one vote and (e) There are many instances of denial of political equality e.g. Until

each vote has one value. There is political equality. 2015, in Saudi Arabia women are denied the right to vote.

(f) A non-democratic government can do whatever it likes, e.g.

(f) A democratic government functions within the
Robert Mugabe, a popular leader became an autocratic ruler. He
limits set by the constitutional laws and citizens’
also changed the constitution to because more powerful and less
rights.
accountable

Question 2.

What steps were taken by Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe to remain in power?

Answer:

Robert Mugabe’s government made changes in the constitution to make him more
powerful and less accountable.

Opposition party workers were harassed and their meetings were disrupted.

Protests by public and demonstration were declared illegal.

He made laws to limit the right to criticise the President.

The media too has been forced to write and speak in favour of the ruling party.
Independent newspaper and journalists were harassed when write against the
President.
Question 3.

Describe the arguments against democracy;

Answer:

The major arguments against democracy are:

Leaders keep changing in a democracy which leads to instability.

Democracy is all about political competition and power play. These is no morality.

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

decision-making.

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 politics or competition.

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

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