What is Democracy ? Why Democracy?
 The word democracy is derived from the Greek word
Demos- People
Kratos- Power or rule
 Meaning of Democracy
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Democracy is a form of government in which the rulers are elected by the people.
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Who are the rulers?
What kind of election?
Who are the people?
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What kind of form of government?
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Abraham Linkon- Democracy is a government of the people, by the people and for the
people.
 Features of Democracy
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—In a democracy the final decision making power must rest with those who elected by the
people.
—A democracy must be based on a free and fair election where those currently in power have a fair
chance of losing.
—In a democracy, each adult citizen must have one vote and each vote must have one value.
—A democratic government rules within limits sets by constitutional law and citizen’s right.
—The opposition parties are allowed to function freely before and after the elections.
—The democratic governments are based on fundamental principles of political equality.
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 Merits of Democracy
Q Do you think democracy is a favourable form of government? Give reasons in
support of your answer.
Or
What are the main merits or benefits of democracy?
Or
Give arguments in favour of Democracy.
Ans Democracy government is a better form of government because it..
(a) Accountable Form of Government : It is more accountable form of government i.e.
it is answerable to the people who elect it. A democratic government responds to the
needs of the citizens.
(b) Improved Decision Making : Democracy improves the quality of decisions making.
It responds to the needs of the people in a better way. Decisions are taken after many
consultations and discussions among different group of people including minority.
Therefore, chances of taking rash or wrong decisions are reduced.
(c) Solves Conflicts Peacefully : Democracy provides a peaceful method to deal with
differences and conflicts. Since, it does not give preference to any one group and
therefore peaceful solutions to different problems can be found. It helps in keeping the
country united. Issues related to minorities are also given importance.
(d) Increases Dignity of the Citizens : Democracy is based on political equality.
Democracy increases the dignity of citizens. Every citizen in the country is equal in the
eyes of Law no matter which religion or caste he/she belongs to or whether he is rich or
poor, all are equal in the eyes of the Law . A democratic government is restricted by the
constitution and respects the rights of the citizens.
(e) Allows Political Opposition and Room for Correction : A democratic government
allows us to correct mistakes. There are public spaces to discuss these mi stakes. In a
democracy either rulers have to chang.
Q Explain how democracy improves the quality of decision?
Ans (a) Democracy is based on consultations and discussion.
(b) Elected members of people take decision though discussion and meetings. A
democratic decision always involves many persons, discussions and meeting.
(c) When a number of people put their heads together then chances of taking
wrong decisions are reduced. They are able to point out mistakes in decision.
Therefore chances of taking rash o r irresponsible decisions are reduced.
Thus democracy improves the quality of decision making.
Q How does democracy provide a method to deal with differences and conflicts?
Ans (a) A country has people belonging to different regions, speaking different
languages and of different religion and casts. This can lead to lot of conflicts and
problems.
(b) If preference is given to one group then there can be conflicts among the
various groups.
(c) Democracy provides solution to this problem because it teaches us to live
peacefully with one another and keeps the country united.
(d) Democracy provided the only peaceful solution to this problem, in
democracy, no one is a permanent winner and no one is a permanent loser.
Different groups can live with one another peacefully
Q Explains how democracy enhances the dignity citizens?
Or
It is said that democracy enhances the dignity of citizens. Give reason for your
answer.?
Ans (a) Democracy gives same status to each such as rich and educated as well as
illiterate and poorest members of the society.
(b) The people rule themselves and hence they are responsible for their own
conduct.
(c) Democracy is based on the principle of political equality. The refore, the
poorest and the least educated have the same status as the rich and the
educated.
(d) People living in democracy are not subjects, they are citizens.
Q How democracy allows us to corrects our mistakes?
Ans (a) In democracy mistakes can not be hidden for long.
(b) Either rulers have to change their wrong decisions or the rulers themselves get
changed during the election.
(c) Democracy provides public space such as media and legislatures to discuss
these mistakes. There is room for correction.
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 Demerits or Drawbacks of Democracy
(a) Constant Change in Leadership : Leaders keep changing in democracy. This may
lead to instability, inefficiency and set back to main issues.
(b) Delays : In a democracy a lot of consultations and discussions are done before
taking a decision .It many times leads to unnecessary delays. This may result as
loss to the society.
(c) Bad Decisions : Many times elected leaders may not know the best interest of
the people. This may lead to bad decisions.
(d) Rise in Corruption : Since democracy is based on competition in elections hence
it can lead to corruption and power play.
(e) Wrong Candidates may be Chosen : Many times ordinary people may not know
what is good for them and hence they may not vote for the right candidate.
(f) Lack of Morality : Political competition and power play is common in democracy.
Sometimes political parties may lack morality and mislead the people.
 Q Bring out difference between Democracy and Dictatorship (Non -
Democratic Government)?
Ans Democracy:
(a) Democracy is a form of government which is elected by the people on
the basis of universal adult Franchise.
(b) In democracy free and fair elections are conducted.
(c) In democracy, citizens enjoy equal right. Each person has one vote of
equal value.
(d) A democratic government rules within the limits decided by the
constitution and respects the rights of the citizens.
(e) Major decisions are taken by elected representatives of the people.
(f) In democracy elected government can be removed through elections.
 Dictatorship / Non-Democratic Government
(a) In dictatorship the government is run by autocratic rulers who have not
been elected.
(b) In a dictatorship either no elections are conducted or even if the
elections are conducted they are not free and fair.
(c) In dictatorship people do not enjoy equal rights and may not even be
allowed to vote.
(d) Under dictatorship the ruler does not rules according to constitution. He
can take decisions which are beyond the scope of the constitution and hence
it rules the country at will. Major decisions are taken by the autocratic ruler
without consulting people of the country.
(e) Dictators can not be removed eas ily.
Two Types of Democracy- Direct &Indirect
 Direct Democracy
 It is a political setup, where the people themselves makes the laws and parliament
directly in the functioning of the govt.
 Decisions are taken on the basis of the majority of opinion.
 It is suitable for the geographically small countries with less population.Eg : Ancient
Greek/ Rome and India,Modern period- Switzerland
 Indirect Democracy
 —In the modern world most of the countries are following the indirect democracy.
 —It is system, in which the representatives are elected by the people and they act on
behalf of the people.
 —They are so sensitive to cater the needs and opinion of the people.Eg ; India/
France/ USA
Q Explain features of democracy?
Ans Features of Democracy:
(a) The rulers elected by the people take all the major decisions : The final
decision making power must rest with those elected by people.
(b) Democracy must be based on free and fare elections . Those in power have a
fair chance of losing the elections.
(c) Each adult must citizen must have a right to vote and each vote must have
equal value. There should be political equality.
(d) A democratic government is limited by basic rules of constitution and
citizen’s rights. Democratic government cannot do what it likes s imply because it
has won an election. It has to respect some basic rules.
Q Why Pakistan under general Musharraf can not by called democracy?
Ans In Pakistan elected representatives can not take the final decisions. Those
who are not elected have power to take decisions. The power to take final
decisions is in the hands of army officials and with General Musharraf who are not
elected by people. Pakistan has an elected parliament and government. But, the
real power is with those who are not elected this can not be called as people’s rule.
So we cannot say Pakistan under General Musharraf as democracy.
Events that led to the creation of Dictatorship in Pakistan:
(a) In Pakistan General Parvez Musharraf led a military coup in October, 1999. He
overthrew democratically elected government and declared himself the chief
executive of the country.
(b) Later he changed his designation to president and in 2002 held a referendum
(voting). He used dirty tricks and malpractices to win the referendum.
(c) In August, 2002 he issued an order to amend the constitution of Pakistan so
that he is able to enjoy more powers. The power to take final decision was given
to military officers and General Musharraf himself.
Q Can you say that elections in china are democratic. Give reasons in support
of your answer.
Ans No, we cannot say that elections in china are democratic because it does
not hold free and fair elections. The Chinese Communist Party which is in
power does not have a fair chance of losing the elections.
Reasons:
(a) In China before contesting elections, a candidate needs the approval of the
Chinese Communist Party or eight smaller parties which are allied to it.
(b) Only those who are members of the Chinese Communist Party or its eight
allied parties are allowed to contest elections.
(c) In China government is always formed by the Communist Party. This
cannot be called free and fair elections because the elections do not offer the
people any serious choice. They have to choose the ruling party and the candidat es
approved by it.
Q 10 What is PRI? What tricks are used by this party to win election in
Mexico? Can we call the rule of PRI as democratic.
Ans PRI stands for Institutional Revolutionary Party. Till 2000, every election
was won by a party called PRI.
The government of Mexico can not be called as democratic because of the
following reasons.
1) All those who worked under government had to attend PRI meetings.
2) Teachers of government school forced the parents to vote for PRI.
3) Media ignored the activities of the opposition party. Media was forced to
support PRI.
4) Sometimes the polling booths were shifted at the last moment, so it becomes
difficult for the people to give their vote.
Mexico holds the election after every 6 yrs to elect its presi dent. The country had
not been under military or army rule. But in real practice the people of Mexico do
not have any choice. There is no way the ruling party PRI could be defeated.
Such elections cannot be called as free and fair.
Q 11 Give Examples of countries which deny equal voting rights to the
citizen?
Ans 1) In Saudi Arabia women do not have the right to vote. Hence it cannot be
called as democratic.
2) Austria has made its electoral system in such a way that it becomes difficult
for a Russian to vote. Hence it cannot be called as democratic.
3) In Fiji, the electoral system in such a way that it becomes difficult for Indian
Fijis to vote. Hence it cannot be called as democratic.
In all the above cases the principle of each adult citizen must have on e vote
and each vote must
have one value is violated.
Q 13 How is Zimbabwe an Example of non -democratic country?
Ans Reasons why Zimbabwe is considered as non -democratic country:
(a) Zimbabwe is an Example of non -democratic country as since independence the
country had been ruled by a party called ZANU –PF whose leader is Robert
Mugabe.
(b) President Mugabe is able to hold power by using unfair means to win the
elections. President Robert Mugabe’s government has changed the constitution
many times to increase the powers of the President.
(c) The party of Robert Mugabe called ZANU –PF harasses the members of
opposition parties.
(d) Holding public meetings and demonstrations are declared illegal. Television
and radio are controlled by the government.
(e) Government also ignores the judgments of the courts.
Though Robert Mugabe is popular with the people yet his government is
undemocratic because it does not follow the principle that a democratic
government should rule within the limits set by constitutional law and
citizen’s rights.
—Q 3 Are elections sufficient to guarantee the existence of a democratic govt.
Give reasons for your Answer?
Ans No, elections are not a sufficient guarantee for the existence of democratic
government because of the following rea sons:
(a) There should be enough room of a normal political activity.
(b) Political oppositions must be allowed and respected.
(c) Government should respect basic rights of the citizens.
(d) Every one should be equal in the eyes of the Law.
(e) Right of the citizen must be protected by an independent Judiciary. The orders
of Judiciary must be obeyed by everyone including the government.
(f) Every major decision should be taken after a series of consultations.
(g) The rights and welfare of the minorities sho uld be guaranteed.
If a democratic government is not following all of the above then it may be termed
as non-democratic.
BROADER MEANING OF DEMOCRACY
—On this chapter we understood the meaning of Democracy in a limited and descriptive sense.
—We have understood Democracy is a form of govt.
—The most common form that democracy takes in our times is that of a representative democracy.
—In the countries we call democracy, all the people do not rule.
 —A majority is allowed to take decisions on behalf of all the people.
—Even majority does not rule directly.
Q 2 What is representative democracy? Why is it criticized?
Ans Representative Democracy: A form of government which is run by elected
representatives representing the majority of the people of the county is known as a
representative democracy.
NEED FOR REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY
(a) It is needed because it is impossibl e for all the people of the country to take a
collective decision.
(b) All the citizens may not have time and skill to take the decisions.
 Aims Of Good Democracy
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—True democracy will come to this country only when no one goes hungry to bed.
—In a democracy every citizen must be able to play equal role in decision making. For this you don’t
need just an equal right to vote. Every citizen needs to have equal information, basic education, equal
resources and a lot of commitment.
NCERT Solution
Question – 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
Answer: Undemocratic
(b)Country B: The same party has been winning elections for the last twenty years
Answer: Not sure
(c) Country C: Ruling party has lost in the last three elections
Answer: Democratic
(d) Country D: There is no independent election commission
Answer: Undemocratic
Question – 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
Answer: Undemocratic
(b) Country Q: The parliament cannot pass a law reducing the powers of the judiciary
Answer: Undemocratic
(c) Country R: The country’s leaders cannot sign any treaty with another country without
taking permission from its neighbouring country.
Answer: Not sure
(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: Not sure
Question – 3 - Which of these is not a good argument in favour of democracy? Why?
a.
b.
c.
d.
People feel free and equal in a democracy
Democracies resolve conflict in a better way than others
Democratic government is more accountable to the people
Democracies are more prosperous than others
Answer: Economic prosperity depends on many factors; like availability of natural
resources, quality of human resources, finance, geopolitical scenario, etc. A particular
form of government is some role to play, so it cannot be seen as a good argument in
favour of democracy.
Question – 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.
Answer: The fact that the laws need to be passed by the parliament is democratic, while
conformation to the WTO regulations is undemocratic.
(b) The Election Commission ordered re-polling in a constituency where large scale
rigging was reported.
Answer: Re-polling is democratic, while rigging is undemocratic.
(c) Women’s representation in the parliament has never reached 10 per cent. This led
women’s organisations to demand one-third seats for women.
Answer: Poor level of women’s representation is undemocratic, while the demand for
one-third seats is democratic.
Question – 5 - Which of these is not a valid reason for arguing that there is a lesser
possibility of famine in a democratic country?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Opposition parties can draw attention to hunger and starvation.
Free press can report suffering from famine in different parts of the country.
Government fears its defeat in the next elections.
People are free to believe in and practise any religion.
Answer: (d) People are free to believe in and practise any religion.
Question – 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.
b.
c.
d.
Filing a case in the courts claiming that water is part of right to life.
Boycotting the next elections to give a message to all parties.
Organising public meetings against government’s policies.
Paying money to government officials to get water.
Answer: (d) Paying money to government officials to get water.
Question – 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.
Answer: Army officers are not elected by people and hence an army rule would be
undemocratic.
(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.
Answer: Democracy is based on the idea of universal adult franchise. Restricting the
rulers from a small section comprising of ‘wise’ people would defeat the purpose of
representational democracy.
(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: Religious leaders are not elected by people and hence a country should not be
ruled by religious leaders.
Question – 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.
Answer: In this case, the daughter does not have the freedom of choice, hence this is
undemocratic.
(b) Teacher to student: Don’t disturb my concentration by asking me questions in the
classroom.
Answer: The teacher may be involved in thinking about an important topic and hence is
asking the student not to disturb her. It cannot be said with surety whether the teacher’s
request is democratic or not.
(c) Employee to the officer: Our working hours must be reduced according to the law.
Answer: The employee is asking for a fundamental right and hence it is democratic.
Question – 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.
Answer: Regular elections and universal adult franchise are two important features of a
democracy and hence this is a democratic situation.
(b) The country took loan from international agencies. One of the conditions for giving
loan was that the government would reduce its expenses on education and health.
Answer: An international agency should not interfere in the internal matters of a country.
Hence this is undemocratic.
(c) People speak more than seven languages but education is available only in one
language, the language spoken by 52 percent people of that country.
Answer: This is an example where majority view is being imposed and hence is
undemocratic.
(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.
Answer: Democratic government should provide the right to protest. The government is
denying such right to its citizens and hence is undemocratic.
(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: Freedom of media is very important for a democracy. This is an undemocratic
example.