Class 9 (Civics) Chapter 1 (What is Democracy? Why Democracy? )

 

Class 9 (Civics)

Chapter 1 (What is Democracy? Why Democracy? )

 

Notes

 

1. Understanding Democracy: Chapter 1 delves into the essence of democracy and its significance for a nation. The term "democracy" originates from the Greek word "Demokratia," where "Demo" means to rule and "Kratia" means people. Democracy, fundamentally, is a governmental system wherein the nation's leaders are elected and chosen by the populace, epitomizing rule by the people. A distinguishing feature of democracies is the people's ability to elect their leaders, contrasting with non-democratic regimes. Notably, in Myanmar, the ruling leaders were not elected by the populace, as the control eventually shifted to the army-led authorities. Similarly, in Chile, leaders like Pinochet attained power without popular elections.

2. Key Features of Democracy: Let's elucidate the essential features of democracy through examples:

• In a democracy, the ultimate decision-making authority must reside with the elected leaders. In Pakistan, General Pervez Musharaff's self-declaration as president in 2002 exemplifies this, bolstered by a subsequent referendum extending his term.

• Elections in a democratic setup should be free and fair, ensuring equal opportunities for all participants. However, in China, contenders require permission from the National People's Congress party to participate in elections.

 • The principle of "one person, one vote, one value" should underpin democracies, ensuring equal voting rights. Yet, in Saudi Arabia until 2015, women were denied suffrage.

• Democratic governance should operate within constitutional bounds and respect citizens' rule. However, in Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe manipulated elections through malpractices, undermining democratic principles.

3. Major Decisions by Elected Leaders: Some countries, like Pakistan, deviate from democratic norms. General Pervez Musharraf's military coup in October 1999 in Pakistan led to his assumption of the presidency, followed by a referendum in 2002 extending his tenure. Despite subsequent elections, real power remained concentrated with the military. Such instances, common in dictatorships and monarchies, underscore the importance of democratic decision-making vested in elected representatives.

4. Free and Fair Electoral Competition: In China, elections occur every five years, yet candidates must secure approval from the Communist Party of China, limiting genuine electoral competition. Similarly, malpractices tainted elections in Mexico until 2000, where the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) routinely secured victory. These instances highlight the absence of authentic electoral choices, undermining democratic principles.

5. One Person, One Vote, One Value: Instances of unequal voting rights, like in Saudi Arabia where women lacked suffrage until 2015, challenge the democratic ideal of universal suffrage. Additionally, Estonia's citizenship laws disadvantaged Russian minorities, hindering their voting rights. In Fiji, ethnic disparities skewed voting power, favoring indigenous Fijians over Indian Fijians.

6. Rule of Law and Respect for Rights: Zimbabwe's one-party rule under ZANU-PF, led by Robert Mugabe, witnessed constitutional amendments consolidating presidential power, suppression of opposition, and restrictions on media and dissent. Despite initial popularity, Mugabe's regime resorted to undemocratic practices, epitomizing the erosion of democratic values.

7. Advantages of Democracy:

 • Democratic accountability ensures governance responsive to people's needs, unlike autocratic regimes.

• Consultative decision-making in democracies, although time-consuming, fosters thorough deliberation, minimizing errors.

 • Democracy facilitates peaceful conflict resolution, accommodating diverse societal perspectives and interests.

 • Political and social equality inherent in democracy upholds the dignity of all citizens, irrespective of background or status.

8. Drawbacks of Democracy:

 • Democratic turnover may lead to instability due to frequent leadership changes.

 • Political competition in democracy may prioritize power over morality.

 • Decision-making delays in democratic processes due to extensive consultations.

 • Elected leaders may prioritize personal interests over public welfare.

 • Democratic systems are susceptible to corruption stemming from electoral and political competition.

 • Concerns exist regarding the capability of ordinary citizens to make informed societal decisions, questioning their role in governance.

 

Important Question Answers

Question 1: Define Democracy and Identify Two Merits and Demerits.

Answer:

• Definition: Democracy is a system of government chosen and changeable by the people for their welfare.
• Merits:
1. Accountability: Democratic leaders are answerable to the populace, ensuring their needs are addressed.
2. Decision-Making Process: Democracy encourages consultation and discussion, reducing the likelihood of impulsive decisions and enhancing decision-making quality.
• Demerits:
1. Leadership Instability: Frequent changes in leadership in a democracy can lead to instability.
2. Ethical Concerns: Democratic processes may prioritize political competition and power dynamics over moral considerations.

Question 2: How do Elections in India Differ from Mexico?

Answer:

• Both countries have a multi-party system. However, in India, incumbent political parties often lose elections, while Mexico's PRI remained undefeated for over 70 years.
• Elections in India are held every 5 years, while in Mexico, they occur every 6 years.
• Government officials in India operate under the Election Commission during elections, whereas this is not the case in Mexico.

Question 3: Explain Direct Democracy and its Feasibility in the Modern World.

Answer:

• Direct democracy entails every citizen playing an equal role in decision-making.
• Feasibility Challenges: a) Modern democracies encompass large populations, making collective decision-making physically impractical. b) Citizens lack the time, inclination, or expertise to engage in all decisions, necessitating representation.

Question 4: Describe the Major Features of Democracy.

Answer:

• Final Authority: The ultimate decision-making power in a democracy rests with elected representatives.
• Free and Fair Elections: Democracies require elections to be conducted freely and fairly, ensuring a level playing field.
• Voting Equality: Every adult citizen has one vote of equal value.
• Rule of Law: Democratic governments operate within constitutional limits and respect citizen rights.

Question 5: How does Democracy Enhance the Quality of Decision-Making?

Answer:

• Consultative Nature: Democracy encourages consultation and discussion.
• Collective Input: Democratic decisions involve multiple perspectives, reducing the chances of rash choices.
• Accountability: If decisions do not align with public wishes, citizens can protest, influencing government actions.

Question 6: Explain why Democracy is Better than Other Forms of Government in Correcting Mistakes.

Answer:

• Transparency: Mistakes in democracy are openly discussed, allowing for public discourse and correction.
• Adaptability: Democratic systems can adjust through policy changes or leadership alterations, unlike non-democratic regimes.

Question 7: Why is a Democratic Government Considered More Accountable?

Answer:

• Accountability: Democratic governments are responsible for their actions and policies, answerable to the parliament or people.
• Case Study: India's democratic response to famine showcased accountability, contrasting with less responsive governance in China.

Question 8: Why do Elections in China not Represent the People's Verdict?

Answer:

• Party Approval: Candidates require approval from the Communist Party before contesting elections in China.
• Limited Candidate Pool: Only members of the Communist Party or its affiliates can contest elections.
• Party Dominance: The Communist Party always forms the government in China.

Question 9: Differentiate Between Democratic and Non-Democratic Elections.

Answer:

S.No.	Democratic Elections	Non-Democratic Elections
(i)	All citizens have equal voting rights.	Not all citizens may have the right to vote.
(ii)	Elections occur at regular intervals.	Elections may not occur regularly.
(iii)	Free and fair elections are conducted.	Elections may lack fairness and freedom.

 

Long Question Answers

Question 1: Explain the statement "Democracy is the most popular form of government emerging in modern times, still the shortcomings cannot be ruled out," by analyzing five shortcomings of democracy.

Answer:

• Political Instability: Democracy often experiences frequent changes in leaders and political parties, leading to instability.
• Ethical Concerns: Democratic systems prioritize political competition over morality, compromising ethical standards.
• Decision-Making Delays: Due to extensive consultation and approval processes in democratic institutions, decision-making is often delayed.
• Suboptimal Decisions: Democratic leaders, lacking omniscience, may make decisions not in the best interest of the people.
• Corruption: The competitive nature of democracy fosters corruption, with parties resorting to unethical means to gain power.
• Lack of Political Awareness: In developing democracies, illiterate and politically unaware voters may elect unsuitable candidates.

Question 2: Why is democracy considered the best option among all other political systems available in the world? Provide reasoning.

Answer:

• Accountability: Democracy ensures governance aligned with people's needs, as leaders are accountable to the electorate.
• Consultative Nature: Democratic processes involve consultation and discussion, leading to informed decision-making.
• Conflict Resolution: Democracy provides peaceful solutions to conflicts, particularly in diverse societies like India.
• Political Equality: Democracy upholds political equality, granting equal rights to all citizens.
• Corrective Mechanism: Mistakes in democracy are acknowledged and rectified through policy changes or leadership turnover.
• Personal Growth: Democracy fosters citizens' development by encouraging participation and responsibility.

Question 3: Outline the major features of democratic governments.

Answer:

• Accountability: Elected representatives remain accountable to the populace and can be replaced in subsequent elections.
• Legislative Efficacy: Democratic assemblies aim to pass beneficial legislation reflective of public interests.
• Civic Education: Participation in democratic processes enhances citizens' political awareness and intelligence.
• Liberty and Fraternity: Democratic principles safeguard individual rights, fostering freedom of expression and association.
• Equality: Democratic systems promote equality before the law, irrespective of social status or background.
• Popular Will: Democratic governance operates according to the consent and will of the people.

Question 4: "Though democracy is considered the best form of government, it is not an ideal form of government." Support this statement with five arguments.

Answer:

• Unequal Participation: In democracy, not all citizens actively participate in decision-making, leading to indirect rule through representatives.
• Limited Scope: Democracy primarily addresses political equality, neglecting broader social and economic equality.
• Power Concentration: Ideal governments distribute power equitably, unlike democracies susceptible to concentration among a few elites.
• Corruption: Ideal governance is devoid of corruption, whereas competitive democracy fosters unethical practices.
• Gender Equality: True ideal governance promotes gender equality, a facet often lacking in democratic systems.

Question 5: Describe representative democracy and explain why it is the prevailing form of government in modern times.

Answer:

• Representative Democracy: In representative democracy, citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.
• Prevalence Reasons:
• Scalability: In modern societies with large populations, direct decision-making by all citizens is impractical.
• Time and Expertise: Citizens lack the time and expertise to participate in every decision, necessitating representative governance.
• Efficiency: Representative democracy streamlines decision-making processes, ensuring efficient governance.
• Representation: Elected representatives reflect the diverse views and interests of the populace, promoting inclusivity.

Question 6: Identify common features of non-democratic countries.

Answer:

• Suppressed Dissent: Non-democratic nations stifle dissent, often resorting to imprisonment or harassment of dissenting voices.
• Authoritarian Rule: Non-democratic states are often governed by dictators or military leaders, with no room for democratic elections.
• Absence of Opposition: Opposition parties are not tolerated, and only political entities aligned with the ruling regime survive.
• Controlled Labor: Non-democratic regimes restrict independent labor unions, favoring those supportive of government policies.
• Arbitrary Rule: Citizens in non-democratic countries lack basic freedoms and are subject to arbitrary arrests or even executions without trial.

Question 7: Why is Zimbabwe not regarded as a democratic country?

Answer:

• Single Party Dominance: Zimbabwe has been ruled by the ZANU-PF party and its leader Robert Mugabe since independence, with no change in power.
• Unfair Elections: Despite regular elections, Zimbabwe's electoral processes lack fairness, often favoring the ruling party.
• Constitutional Manipulation: President Mugabe amended the constitution multiple times to consolidate power, undermining democratic principles.
• Opposition Suppression: Opposition parties in Zimbabwe face harassment and disruptions, restricting their ability to operate freely.
• Limited Freedom: Public protests against the government are deemed illegal, with strict media control and curtailed freedom of speech.
• Judicial Bias: The Zimbabwean government disregards court rulings against it, pressuring judges and undermining judicial independence.

Question 8: To what extent was the communist government responsible for the famine in China from 1958-1961?

Answer:

• Severe Impact: China's famine during 1958-1961 resulted in an estimated three crore deaths, the worst famine in recorded history.
• Comparative Analysis: Despite economic challenges similar to India's, China faced famine while India did not, attributed to different government responses.
• Democratic Influence: India's democratic structure facilitated a more effective response to food scarcity compared to China's communist regime.
• Policy Failures: China's communist government implemented policies exacerbating the famine, contributing to widespread hunger and death.
• Accountability: Democracies are more accountable to public needs, prompting swift action in crisis situations, unlike authoritarian regimes.
• Hypothetical Scenario: Had China embraced multi-party elections and an independent press, the famine's severity might have been mitigated.