Question Bank in Democratic Politics with Answers:
II. What is Democracy ? Why Democracy ?
II. What is Democracy ? Why Democracy ?
Short Answer Questions Chapter 2 - What is Democracy? Why Democracy?, Class 9, SST (Civics)
Short Answer Questions Chapter 2 - What is Democracy? Why Democracy?, Class 9, SST (Civics)
Q.1. How can you say that every government that holds election is not a democracy? Give
an example to prove your point. [Important]
an example to prove your point. [Important]
Ans. It is true that every government that holds an election is not a democracy. In many dictatorships
and monarchies, there are formally elected parliaments and governments but the real power is
with those who are not elected. Pakistan under General Musharraf could not be called a
democracy because people there elected their representatives to the national and provincial
assemblies but the power to take final decision rested with army officials and with General
Musharraf.
and monarchies, there are formally elected parliaments and governments but the real power is
with those who are not elected. Pakistan under General Musharraf could not be called a
democracy because people there elected their representatives to the national and provincial
assemblies but the power to take final decision rested with army officials and with General
Musharraf.
Q.2. In China, elections are held after every five years. Inspite of this, China does not have
a democratic government. Why?
Ans. In China, elections are regularly held after every five years for electing the country's
Parliament. The Parliament has the power to appoint the President of the country. It has nearly
3,000 members elected from all over China. Some members are elected by the Army. Before
contesting elections, a candidate needs the approval of the Chinese Communist Party. The
government is always formed by the Communist Party.
Parliament. The Parliament has the power to appoint the President of the country. It has nearly
3,000 members elected from all over China. Some members are elected by the Army. Before
contesting elections, a candidate needs the approval of the Chinese Communist Party. The
government is always formed by the Communist Party.
Q.3. In which way is the right to vote denied in Saudi Arabia and Fiji?
Ans. 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 Fijian. In both the countries, the right to vote is denied as there is no political
equality. In a democracy, each adult citizen must have one vote and each vote must have one
value.
In Fiji, the electoral system is such that the vote of an indigenous Fiji has more value than that
of an Indian Fijian. In both the countries, the right to vote is denied as there is no political
equality. In a democracy, each adult citizen must have one vote and each vote must have one
value.
Q.4. Why has India never had a famine of the level which occurred in China in 1958-61?
Ans. In China’s famine of 1958-61, nearly three crore people died. In those days India’s economic
condition was not much better than China. Yet India did not have a famine of the kind China
had. The reason was the difference in the economic policies of the two countries. Democratic
government in India responded to the food shortage in a way that Chinese government did not.
If China too had had multi-party elections, an opposition party and a press free to criticise the
government, so many people would not have died in the famine.
condition was not much better than China. Yet India did not have a famine of the kind China
had. The reason was the difference in the economic policies of the two countries. Democratic
government in India responded to the food shortage in a way that Chinese government did not.
If China too had had multi-party elections, an opposition party and a press free to criticise the
government, so many people would not have died in the famine.
Q.5. ‘Democracy is based on consultation and discussion.’ Explain.
Ans. Consultation and discussion help democracy prosper. A democratic decision 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 reduces the chances of rash
or irresponsible decisions. Thus democracy improves the quality of decision-making.
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 reduces the chances of rash
or irresponsible decisions. Thus democracy improves the quality of decision-making.
Q.6. Why is it not possible for the people to rule directly but through elected representatives?
Ans. The people cannot rule directly but only through their elected representatives because, firstly,
modern democracies involve such a large number of people that it is physically impossible for
them to sit together and take a collective decision. Secondly, even if they could, the citizens
do not have the time, the desire or the skill to take part in all the decisions.
modern democracies involve such a large number of people that it is physically impossible for
them to sit together and take a collective decision. Secondly, even if they could, the citizens
do not have the time, the desire or the skill to take part in all the decisions.
Q.7. Is it possible for any country to become a perfect democracy? Give reasons.
Ans. No country is a perfect democracy as every democracy has to realise the ideals of 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.
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.
Q.9. Why is Democracy considered the best form of government? Give three reasons.
[2010 (T-1)]
[2010 (T-1)]
Ans. Democarcy is a more accountable form of government.
(i) It improves the quality of decision-making
(ii) It enchances the dignity of citizens.
(iii)It allows us to correct its own mistakes.
(i) It improves the quality of decision-making
(ii) It enchances the dignity of citizens.
(iii)It allows us to correct its own mistakes.
Q.10. What is the role of citizen in promoting democracy? [2010 (T-1)]
Ans. Every citizen should be able to play equal role in decision-making. For this a citizen not only
needs an equal right to vote but also needs to have equal information, basic education, equal
resources.
needs an equal right to vote but also needs to have equal information, basic education, equal
resources.
Q.11. Explain any three diferences between democratic country and non-democratic country?
[2010 (T-1)]
[2010 (T-1)]
Ans. In a Democratic country–
(i) Each adult citizen has a vote; (ii) Each vote has one value; and (iii) Free and fair elections
are held.
In a non-democratic country — (i) Election do not offer a choice and fair opportunity; (ii)
Rulers are not elected by the people; and (ii) The rulers have unlimited power.
(i) Each adult citizen has a vote; (ii) Each vote has one value; and (iii) Free and fair elections
are held.
In a non-democratic country — (i) Election do not offer a choice and fair opportunity; (ii)
Rulers are not elected by the people; and (ii) The rulers have unlimited power.
Q.12. Is China a democratic country or not? Give two arguments in favour of your answer.
[2010 (T-1)]
[2010 (T-1)]
Ans. China is not a democratic country. (i) Only those who are members of the Chinese Communist
Party or eight smaller parties allied to it are allowed to contest elections; (ii) Before contesting
elections a candidate needs the approval of the Chinese Communist Party.
Party or eight smaller parties allied to it are allowed to contest elections; (ii) Before contesting
elections a candidate needs the approval of the Chinese Communist Party.
Q.13. Explain any three features of democracy. [2010 (T-1)]
Ans. According to a Democarcy— (i) Rulers elected by the people take all the major decisions.
(ii) Elections offer a choice and fair opportunity to the people to change the corrent rulers; and
(ii) This choice and opportunity is available to all the people on an equal basis.
(ii) Elections offer a choice and fair opportunity to the people to change the corrent rulers; and
(ii) This choice and opportunity is available to all the people on an equal basis.
Q.14. Why is Zimbabwe not considered a democratic country? [2010 (T-1)]
Ans. It is ruled by ZANU-PF, the party that led the freedom struggle. Its leader, Robert Mugabe has
been ruling the country since independence. Elections are held regularly but always won by
the ZANU-PF. President Mugabe uses unfair means in the elections. He has changed the
constitution several times to increase the power of the president. Radio and TV are controlled
by the government.
been ruling the country since independence. Elections are held regularly but always won by
the ZANU-PF. President Mugabe uses unfair means in the elections. He has changed the
constitution several times to increase the power of the president. Radio and TV are controlled
by the government.
Q.15. How does democracy in a country enhance the diginity of an individual? State three
points. [2010 (T-1)]
points. [2010 (T-1)]
Ans. (i) Democracy is based on the principal of political equality on recognising that the poorest
and the least educated has the same status as the rich and the educated.
(ii) People are not subjects of a ruler they are the rulers themselves.
(iii) Even when they make mistakes, they are responsible for their conduct.
and the least educated has the same status as the rich and the educated.
(ii) People are not subjects of a ruler they are the rulers themselves.
(iii) Even when they make mistakes, they are responsible for their conduct.
Q.16. ‘‘Elections in China do not represent people verdict.’’ Explain. [2010 (T-1)]
Ans. In China the elections do not offer the people any serious choice. They have to choose the
ruling party and the candidates approved by it. Can it be called a choice? There is only are
political party and people have to vote for its candidates.
ruling party and the candidates approved by it. Can it be called a choice? There is only are
political party and people have to vote for its candidates.
Q.17. ‘‘Democracy allows people to correct their own mistakes’’. Support the given statement
with three points. [2010 (T-1)]
with three points. [2010 (T-1)]
Ans. The advantage in a democarcy is that mistakes made by a government cannot be hidden for
long. There is a space for public discussion on these mistakes and there is room for correction.
Either the rulers have to change their decisions or they can be changed.
long. There is a space for public discussion on these mistakes and there is room for correction.
Either the rulers have to change their decisions or they can be changed.
Q.18. Explain any three major political changes that took place recently in India's
neighbourhood? [2010 (T-1)]
neighbourhood? [2010 (T-1)]
Ans. (i) Pakistan–General Musharaff led a military coup.
(ii) Nepal–In 2005 the new king dismissed the elected government.
(iii) Iraq–Sadaam Hussain's regime was overthrown
(ii) Nepal–In 2005 the new king dismissed the elected government.
(iii) Iraq–Sadaam Hussain's regime was overthrown
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