CBSE Class 9 Social Science What is Democracy Why Democracy Worksheet Set A

Summary definition of Democracy
1. The final decision making power must rest with the elected representatives of people
2. A democracy must be based on a free and fair election; all parties should have equal chance of winning and losing.
3. In a democracy, each adult citizen must have one vote and each vote must have one value.
4. A democratic government rules within limits set by constitutional law and citizens’ rights

POSSIBLE QUESTIONS
i. Define Democracy.

Value points
1. Elected representatives are decision makers
2. Free and fair elections
3. Universal adult franchise
4. Political equality
5. Rule of law
 

I. Pakistan under General Musharraf

1. General Musharraf had overthrown the democratically elected government declaring him the ‘Chief Executive’ of the country.
2. Later he conducted a referendum on his extension which was based on malpractices and fraud.
3. He changed his designation as President in 2002.
4. In August 2002 he issued a ‘Legal Framework Order’ that amended the constitution of Pakistan. According to which the President can dismiss the national or provincial assemblies.
5. The work of the civilian cabinet is supervised by a National Security Council which is dominated by military officers.
6. After passing this law, elected representatives have some powers but the final power rests with military officers and General Musharraf himself.

Possible questions
i. Why Pakistan under General Musharraf should not be called a democracy?
(Give three proper sentences using these value points for 3 marks question )
Value points
1. Military over powered Democratic government
2. President not elected head
3. Amendment of constitution to increase the powers of president
4. Military having decision making power

II. The elections held in China and Mexico
China
1. In China, single party system is practiced.
2. To contest elections, candidate needs the approval of the Chinese Communist Party.
3. Only those who are members of the Chinese Communist Party or eight smaller parties allied to it were allowed to contest elections.
4. The government is always formed by the Communist Party of China.

Mexico
1. Since its independence in 1930, every election was won by a PRI (Institutional Revolutionary Party).
2. Opposition parties did contest elections, but the PRI uses many dirty tricks to win elections.
3. All those who were employed in government offices had to attend its party meetings.
4. Teachers of government schools used to force parents to vote for the PRI.
5. Media largely ignored the activities of opposition political parties except to criticize them.
6. Booth capturing - Sometimes the polling booths were shifted from one place to another in the last minute, which made it difficult for people to cast their votes.
7. The PRI spent a large sum of money in the campaign for its candidates.

Possible questions
‘Conducting elections is not a sufficient condition for being Democratic’. Explain the statement with the help of examples

Value points

China
1. Single party system
2. Communist party wins every time
3. No independent candidate can contest elections

Mexico
1. PRI wins elections since 1930
2. Uses dirty tricks in elections
3. PRI controls the Media and government employees to publicize itself
4. Booth capturing
5. Huge expenditure on campaigning

III. Rule under the Zimbabwe government
1. Zimbabwe has been ruled by ZANU-PF, under the leadership of Robert Mugabe who’s very popular
2. Party is popular for using unfair practices in elections.
3. Over the years his government has changed the constitution several times to increase the powers of the President and make him less accountable.
4. Opposition party workers are harassed and their meeting disrupted. Public protests and demonstrations against the government are declared illegal.
5. There is a law that limits the right to criticize the President.
6. Television and radio are controlled by the government and give only the ruling party’s version.
7. The government has ignored some court judgments that went against it and has pressurized judges.
 

Possible questions
i . How is Zimbabwe an Example of non-democrat ic country?
ii . “Popular governments can be Undemocrat ic”. Just ify wi th 5 arguments

Value points
1. Robert Mugabe the popular leader of ZANU-PF
2. The party ruing the country since its independence
3. Uses unfair practices in elections
4. Amended constitution to increase his powers
5. Opposition is harassed
6. No right to protest
7. No freedom of speech
8. Censorship on Media
9. No independent Judiciary

IV. Arguments against democracy:
1. Constant Change in Leadership: Leaders keep changing which leads to instability and inefficiency in the system.
2. Delays: More of consultations and discussions causes n unnecessary delays which results in loss to the society.
3. Bad Decisions: elected leaders may not know the best interest of the people. This may lead to bad decisions.
4. Rise in Corruption: Since democracy is based on competition in elections hence it can lead to corruption and power play.
5. 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.
6. Lack of Morality: Political competition and power play is a part of electoral system, sometimes political parties may lack morality and mislead the people.

Possible questions
i. Democracies are a better form of government than Non- Democracies.
Justify with suitable arguments.

ii. Explain the arguments that are against democracy.
Value points
1. Instability
2. Delays
3. Bad decisions
4. Corruption
5. Wrong leaders may be chosen
6. Lack of morality

V. ARGUMENTS IN FAVOUR OF DEMOCRACY

Democracy government is a better form of government:
1. Accountable Form of Government: It is more accountable form of government i .e.
i t is answerable to the people who elect i t . A democrat ic government responds to the needs of the ci tizens.

2. Improved Decision Making:
a) ) Democracy is based on consultations and discussion, Decisions are taken after many consul tat ions and discussions among different group of people including minori ty.
b) When a number of people put their heads together then chances of taking wrong decisions are reduced.
c) They are able to point out mistakes in decision.
d) Therefore chances of taking rash or irresponsible decisions are reduced.

3. Solves Confl icts Peaceful ly:
a) Democracy provides a peaceful method to deal with differences and conf licts amongst people belonging to different regions, speaking different languages and of different rel igion and casts
b) It does not give preference to any one group and therefore peaceful solutions to different problems can be found.
c) It helps in keeping the country uni ted.
d) Issues related to minorities are also given importance.
e) In democracy, no one is a permanent winner and no one is a permanent loser.
f) Different groups can live wi th one another peaceful ly

4. Increases Dignity of the Citizens:
a) Democracy is based on pol itical equality.
b) Democracy gives same status to each such as r ich and educated as wel l as i l l i terate and poorest member s of the society.
c) Every citizen in the country is equal in the eyes of Law no mat ter which religion or caste he/she belongs to or whether he is rich or poor, al l are equal in the eyes of the Law.
d) A democrat ic government is restricted by the constitution and respects the rights of the ci t izens.
e) People l iving in democracy are not subjects, they are ci t izens

5. Al lows Political Opposition and Room for Correction:
a) A democrat ic government allows us to correct mistakes.
b) Democracy provides publ ic space such as media and legislatures to discuss these mistakes.
c) In a democracy either rulers have to change their wrong decisions or the rulers get changed during the elections.
d) During elections people can change the Government or their representative if they are not working properly. . .

6. Responds to the Needs of the People:
a) People and press are free to cri ticize the government
b) Democrat ic government responds to the needs of the people and funct ions according to the wishes of the people.

Possible questions
i . Do you think democracy is a favorable form of government? Give reasons in support of your answer.
ii . What are the merits or benef its of democracy?

VALUE POINTS
1. Accountable Government
2. Improved decision making
3. Peaceful solution to conflicts
4. Ensures dignity of citizens
5. Room for correction of mistakes
6. Responsive to people’s needs

VI. Representative Democracy
A form of government which is run by elected representat ives represent ing the majori ty of the people of the county is known as a representat ive democracy.

NEED FOR REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY
(a) It is needed because i t is impossible for all the people of the country to take a col lective decision.
(b) Al l the ci tizens may not have t ime and ski l l to take the decisions

 Multiple Choice Questions 

1. What conclusion can we draw from the politics of Zimbabwe?
a. Some countries do not need democracy.
b. Popular governments can be undemocratic.
c. All Democratic countries do not share similar features.
d. Democratic governments can be undemocratic.

2. What is the name of the Parliament of China?
a. National People’s Congress
b. Reichstag
c. Estates General
d. Duma

3. Which party has ruled Zimbabwe from 1980 to 2017?
a. ZANU-PF
b. PRI
c. Communist Party
d. National People’s Party

4. ___________ organ of the government is required to protect the rights of the citizens.
Answer: Judiciary

5. Which one of the following options best signifies this cartoon?