Class IX

Social Science
Civics Chapter 2 What is Democracy? Why Democracy?

NCERT Question Answer:

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.

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(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:
(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.
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.

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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.
(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.

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(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.
(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.
(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:

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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 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.

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 Extra Important Questions
1. How does democracy in a country enhance the dignity of an individual? State three points.
Answer:

Democracy is based on the principle of political equality. So all the citizens whether rich or poor, educated or
uneducated have the same status.
People are not subjects of a ruler, they are the rulers themselves.
The ruler has to rule or work according to the wishes and the needs of the people. If the people do not like the
ruler they can change him through election.

2. Define Democracy. Sate two merits and demerits of democracy.

Answer:
Democracy is a form of government which is chosen by the people to work for their welfare and can be
changed by them.
Merits:
I. Democracy is the best form of government as the rulers are accountable to the people and have to fulfil
their needs.
II. Democracy is based on consultation and discussion. This reduces the chance of hasty and irresponsible
decisions from being taken and improves the quality of decision making.
Demerits:
I. Leaders keep changing in democracy. This leads to instability.
II. Democracy is all about political competition and power play. There is no scope for morality.

3. How elections in India are different from Mexico?

Answer:
Both the countries have a multi-party system. In case of India, political parties in power often loose elections
whereas in case of Mexico PRI did not loose a single election for more than 70 years.
Elections in India are held after every 5 years whereas in case of Mexico elections are held after 6 years.
Government officials work under the Election Commission during the election days whereas this is not true
for Mexico.

4. ‘Democracy is all about political competition and powerplay. There is no scope for morality’. Justify the
statement by giving arguments against democracy.
Answer:
Political parties and candidates use all the dirty tricks to win elections.
Many of them use money and muscle power during the elections.
Political parties or candidates demand votes on the basis of caste, religion etc.

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5. Explain the major features of democracy.
Answer:
I. Final Authority with the People’s Representatives: In a democracy the final decision-making power
must rest with those elected by the people.
II. Free and Fair Elections: A democracy must be based on a free and fair elections where those currently
in power have a fair chance of losing.
III. One Person, One Vote, One Value: In a democracy, each adult citizen must have one vote and each
vote must have one value.
IV. Rule of Law and Respect for Rights: A democratic government rules within limits set by constitutional
law and citizen’s rights.

6. ‘Democracy improves the quality of decision-making.’

Answer:
Democracy is based on consultation and discussion.
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.
As most of the decisions are taken by discussions, this reduces the chances of rash or irresponsible decisions.
If the decision is not according to the wishes of the people, they have the right to protest, and even can force
the government to withdraw it.

7. “Democracy is better than other forms of government because it allows us to correct its own mistakes.”
Explain.
Answer:
There is no guarantee that mistakes cannot be made in a democracy. No form of government can guarantee
that. The advantage in a democracy is that such mistakes cannot be hidden for long. There is a space for public
discussion on these mistakes. And there is a room for correction. Either the rulers have to change their
decisions, or the rulers can be changed. This cannot happen in a non-democratic government.

8. Why is democracy called a “Government by discussion”?

Answer:
Democracy provides all the citizens some basic rights through which they can give their opinion.
Democracy provides h chance to all the citizens to choose their representatives, and change them, if they do
not work according to their wishes.
In the Parliament, all the members have the right to give their opinions,
Democracy provides the citizens a right to follow any religion.

9. “A democratic government is a better government because it is a more accountable form of government.”

Explain.
Answer:

Democratic government is an accountable government i.e., it is responsible for its actions, decisions and
policies including the administration. The government is answerable to the Parliament or we can say to the
people. If government is not working according to the needs and expectations of the citizens the Parliament
can move a no confidence motion against the government.
More than three crqre people lost their life in 1958-61 famine in China but India, whose economic condition
was poorer as compared to China, did not have a famine of the kind China had.
The existence of democracy in India made the Indian government respond to food security in a way that the
Chinese government did not.
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10. Why was every election won by the party called PRI in China? Explain any three reasons.
Answer:
Every election won by the party called PRI in China because:

Until 2000, every election was won by the dominant party called PRI.
In its presence, opposition parties did contest elections, but never managed to win.
The PRI was known to use many dirty tricks to win elections.

11. “Elections in China do not represent people’s verdict”. Explain. HOTS

Answer:

In China, elections are regularly held after every five years, for electing the country’s Parliament, called
Quanguo Renmin Daibiao Dahui (National People’s Congress). ,
The National People’s Congress 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.
Only those, who are member’s of the Chinese Communist Party or eight smaller parties allied to it were
allowed to contest elections held in 2002-03.
The government is always formed by the Communist Party.

12. With the help of an example, prove that a democratic government is a more accountable form of
government.
Answer:
We can take the example of India. In India, the government is accountable to the citizens.
(i) Government policies in India are based on the democratic values.
(ii) It is able to respond to the needs of the people.
(iii) It holds multi-party elections.
(iv) It has opposition parties to criticize the government.
(v) Democracy ensures that decision-making will be based on norms and procedures. So, a citizen who wants
to know if a decision was taken through the correct procedures can find it out. This is known as transparency.
So, this shows democracy produces a government which follows the procedures and is accountable to the
government.
(vi) A democratic government rules within limits set by constitutional law and citizen’s right.
(vii) Democracy provides a method to deal with difference and conflicts. It is suitable in countries like India.
India has diversity of language, religion and culture.
(viii) It is better than other forms of government because it allows us to correct our own tnistakes.
(ix) Democracy also increases the dignity of the citizens, because it is based on the principle oApolitical
equality. This means that the poorest and the least educated have the same status as the rich and educated.

13. “Democracy is the most popular form of government emerging in the modem times, still the shortcomings
cannot be ruled out.” Justify the statement by assessing any five shortcomings of democracy. HOTS
Answer:
I. Instability: Under democracy, leaders and political parties keep changing. This leads to political
instability.
II. Low Morality: Democracy is all about political competition and power play. There is no scope for
morality.
III. Delays in Decision Making: All the decisions are to be approved and discussed in the Parliament, and
many people and institutions are to be consulted. So it leads to delays in decision making.

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IV. Bad Decisions: As most of the leaders do not know the best interest, of the people, it leads to bad
decisions.
V. Corruption: As the democracy is based on electoral competition, it leads to corruption. Many political
parties use muscle and money power to come to power.
VI. Illiterate and Politically Unconscious Voters: In most of the developing countries, voters are illiterate
and politically unconscious, so they elect wrong candidates.

14. Why is democracy considered to be the best option among all other political systems available in world?
Explain.
Answer:

I. Accountable Government: Democracy is better than any other form of government because it
represents the needs of the people. It does not depend on the whims of the ruler or the dictator. In
simple words, we can say that democracy is for the people. It is an accountable form of government.
II. Based on Consultation Discussion: Democracy is based on consultation and discussion. As such many
mistakes are corrected in time. Thus, democracy improves the quality of decision making.
III. Deals with Differences: Democracy provides a peaceful solution to every problem. It provides the best
method of dealing with differences and conflicts. It suits the needs of many countries like India with
diversity of languages, religions, castes and creeds. Discussions lead to the solution of every problem,
so it keeps our country united.
IV. Political Equality: Democracy is based on political equality which ensures equal rights, both for the
rich and the poor, the educated and the uneducated. Thus, in a way, democracy enhances the dignity
of every citizen.
V. Room for Correction: It is only in democracy that mistakes are admitted, and all attempts are made to
correct these mistakes. If mistakes are made, it is only in democracy that they are admitted and then
corrected. In democracy, thus, there is a room for correction.
VI. Democracy provides the opportunity to the citizens to flourish according to their ability.

15. Explain the major features of democratic governments.

Answer:
I. Responsible .Government: Democratic government is a responsible government. The representatives
elected by the people on the basis of universal Vdult franchise remain responsible to the people and in
case they do not remain responsible before the people, the people can change them during the next
elections.

II. Possibility of Good Laws: In a democratic government, the representatives have a direct relation with
the people. Therefore, they properly understand their problems and interests. They properly represent
the interest of the people in the assemblies, and the parliament and always try to get the good laws
passed.

III. Political Education: The greatest merit of democracy is its educative value. Participation in elections
and other political activities, make the people intelligent and politically conscious. They become
enlightened citizens.
IV. Based on Liberty and Fraternity: In democracy, the rights and the liberty of the people are well
safeguarded. People are given freedom to express their views without any fear. They can criticise the
wrong policies of the government.

V. Respect of the Principle of Equality: In democracy, all are equal in the eyes of law, and no
discrimination is done on the basis of birth, race, caste, colour, sex, religion, etc. All citizens get equal
opportunities to participate in the affairs of the state.
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VI. Government Based on the Will of the People: Democracy is based on the will of the people, and it
functions according to their consent. The Government cannot ignore the interest of the people.

16. Which characteristics make democratic government so popular?

Answer:
Accountable Government: Democracy is better than any other form of government because it represents the
needs of the people. It does not depend on the whims of the ruler or the dicator. In simple words, we can say
that democracy is for the poeple. It is an accountable form of government.
Based on Consultation and Discussion: Democracy is based on consultation and discussion. As such many
mistakes are corrected in time. Thus, democracy imporoves the quality of decision making.
Deals with Differences: Democracy provides a peaceful solution to every problem. It provides the best method
of dealing with differences and conflicts. It suits the needs of many countries like India with diversity of
languages, religions, castes and creeds. Discussions lead to the soultion of every problem, so it keeps our
country united.
Political Equality: Democracy is based on political equality which ensures equal rights, both for the rich and
the poor, the educated and the uneducated. Thus, in a way, democracy enhances the dignity of every citizen.

17. “Though democracy is considered to be the best form of government, it is not an ideal form of
government.” Give five arguments to prove the above statement.
Answer:

It is not an ideal form of government because every citizen does not play equal role m decision-making. Even
the majority does not rule directly. But, it rules through their elected representatives.
Democracy provide only political equality but people also need social and economic equality.
An ideal government is a government which is not run by few powerful people.
An ideal government is free of corruption.
An ideal government is a government where there is a gender equality.

18. Explain the representative democracy. Why is the representative democracy the most common form of
government in modem times? Explain any four reasons.
Answer:
(i) When the majority of people rule through their elected representatives, this is called representative
democracy.
(ii) The most common form that democracy takes in our times is that of a representative democracy. In a
democracy, all the people do not rule. Direct rule by people is not possible.
So, in a democracy, the majority is allowed to take decisions on behalf of all the people. Even the majority
does not rule directly. It rules through its elected representatives.
A representative democracy becomes necessary. Modem democracies comprise a large number of people. It
is physically impossible for them to sit or collect together at a place and take a collective decision.
Even if they could collect together, all the citizens do not have the time, the desire, or the skills to take part in
all the decisions.

19. Write any five arguments in favour and five against democracy as a form of government.
Answer:
Arguments in Favour of Democracy:
I. Democratic form of government is accountable.
II. It improves the quality of decision making.
III. It provides a method to deal with differences and conflicts.
IV. It enhances the dignity of citizen.
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 V. It allows us to correct our mistakes.

Arguments Against Democracy:

I. Change of leaders lead to instability.
II. It involves only political competition with no scope for morality.
III. Consulting more people leads to delays.
IV. It leads to corruption.
V. Ordinary people don’t know that what is good for them.

20. Write some common features of the non-democratic countries.

Answer:
Some common features of the non-democratic countries are:
(i) In non-democratic countries, the people are not allowed to criticise the government. Doing so means
imprisonment, harassment and trouble one after the other.
(ii) In non-democratic countries, the rule of the king or the so-called military rule prevails and the question of
elections does not arise.
(iii) In non-democratic countries, no opposition is tolerated. So the question of political parties, especially of
the opposition parties does not arise. Only those political parties can survive which toe to the line of the
government.
(iv) In non-democratic countries, the workers are not allowed to form their independent trade unions. Only
such trade unions can survive, who rightly or wrongly, support the policies of the government.
(v) In non-democratic countries, all the people are at the mercy of the dictator or the military rulers. Anybody
can be detained, arrested or even put to death without any trial.
(vi) In non-democratic countries, nobody can even aspire for any big post. If he is ready to be a tool in the
hands of the ruler/ dictator/military leaders, he can hope to get some good post. But he will have to kill his
conscience and become dumb and deaf.

21. Why is Zimbabwe not considered a democratic country?

Answer:
(i) Same Party Ruling: Zimbabwe attained independence from white minority rule in 1980. Since then the
country has been ruled by the party ZANU-PF. Its leader Robert Mugabe, has been ruling the country since
independence.
(ii) Unfair Elections: Elections have been held regularly and . always won by the ruling party. They have not
been free and fair.
(iii) Change of Constitution to Favour the Government: President Mugabe appears to be popular but also uses
unfair practices in elections. His government has changed the Constitution several times to increase the power
of the President and make him less accountable.
(iv) Suppression of Opposition: Opposition party workers are often harassed and their meetings disrupted by
ruling party.
(v) Right to Freedom Missing: Public protests and demonstrations against the government are declared illegal.
There is a law that limits the right to criticise the President. Television and radio are controlled by the
government.
(vi) Absence of Independent Judiciary: The government has ignored some court judgements that went against
it and has pressurised judges.

22. How far was the communist government responsible for the famine that occurred in China in 1958-1961?
Explain.
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
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did not have a famine of the kind China. 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 multi parti elections, an opposition
party and a press free to criticize the government, then so many people may not have died in the famine.

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