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What is Democracy? Why Democracy? Class 9 Questions and Answers Civics Chapter 2
Make your learning experience enjoyable by preparing from the quick links available on this page. Use the Class 9 SST Civics Chapter 2 NCERT Solutions and get to know different concepts involved. All the Solutions are covered as per the latest syllabus guidelines. Knowing the NCERT Class 9 Civics Chapter 2 Questions and Answers helps students to attempt the exam with confidence.
What is Democracy? Why Democracy? NCERT Intext Questions and Answers
Question 1.
I have heard a different version. Democracy is off the people, far (from) the people and(where they) buy the people. Why don’t we accept that?
Answer:
When people define democracy in this way, it shows only their hopelessness and frustration. To some extent they are right, we have seen that in some cases democracy does not serve the purpose because it has nothing to do with the welfare of the people. Candidates buy votes by dint of their money and muscle power. But we should not be hopeless. There are exceptions too. So we don’t need to give much attention to the above definition of democracy. Democracy has always been a better government than other forms of government. It gives people basic political rights and freedom of expression.
Question 2.
All this is so remote for me. Is democracy all about rulers and governments? Can we talk about a democratic classroom? Or a democratic family?
Answer:
Democracy is not all about rulers and governments. Democracy is a principle that can be applied to any sphere of life. We can have democratic classrooms where teachers give students the freedom of asking questions without hesitation or fear, where a good interaction takes place between teachers and students, where teachers instead of creating panic among students maintain pleasant environment in the classroom.
Democracy can be seen in families also. We can have democratic families where parents or elders do not impose their decisions on their children or younger members. All the family members should sit down and arrive at a common consensus. Children’s opinion should matter as much as their parents’. In this way, democracy can be applied everywhere.
Question 3.
Why talk about Zimbabwe? In read similar reports from many parts of our own country? Why don’t we discuss that?
Answer:
Zimbabwe gained independence in 1980. Since then the country has been ruled by Robert Mugabe. Elections have been held regularly and always won by his party named ZANU-PF. President Mugabe is popular no doubt but he also uses unfair practices in elections. Over the years his government has changed the Constitution several times to increase the powers of the President and make him less accountable.
There are independent newspapers by the government harasses those journalists who go against it. The example of Zimbabwe shows that popular approval of the rulers is necessary in a democracy, but it is not sufficient. Popular governments can be undemocratic. Popular leaders can be autocratic. A democratic government is not expected to do whatever it likes, simply because it has won the election. It has to respect some basic rules.
Whatever is going on in Zimbabwe under the leadership of Robert Mugabe, is not limited to that country only. Similar reports are heard in our country also. Whenever elections are held some candidates with criminal backgrounds try to use unfair means to make their position safe. Sometimes violence and money power are also used in elections. However, the number of such incidents are decreasing as elections are becoming fairer.
Question 4.
I want to be in Lyngdoh Madam’s class! That sounds like a democratic classroom. Doesn’t it?
Answer:
Lyngdoh Madam is of democratic temperament. In her classroom students can speak their own minds. They are free to put forth their arguments. Lyngdoh Madam warns the students not to accept something just because it is famous, just because everyone else accepts it. Students enjoy the teaching of such a teacher. So, the girl here wants to be in this teacher’s class.
Question 5.
What would have happened of India was not a democracy? Could we have stayed together as a single nation?
Answer:
We would not have stayed together as a single nation of India was not a democracy. The prime reason is that India is a country of many diversities. People of different religions, languages, cultures live here. If there was no democracy then all the people could not have followed their religions and customs in their own way. In such a condition there was a fair chance of conflict between different religious and linguistic groups. Minorities would have been oppressed by the majority in the absence of democracy. It is only democracy that ensures protection to its citizens irrespective of their religion, caste, status, gender, etc. It also brings order in society and binds people together.
Check Your Progress
Question 1.
Ribiang went back home and collected some more famous quotations on democracy. This time she did not mention the names of the people who said or wrote these. She wants you to read these and comment on how good or useful these thoughts are:
(a) Democracy gives every man the right to be his own oppressor.
(b) Democracy consists of choosing your dictators after they’ve told you what you think it is you want to hear.
(c) Man’s capacity for justice makes democracy possible, but man’s inclination to injustice makes democracy necessary.
(d) Democracy is a device that insures we shall be governed no better than we deserve.
(e) All the ills of democracy can be cured by more democracy.
Answer:
The first and second thoughts indicate the same point. They tell about those forms of government in which people have the right to choose their ruler without having options. It means that they are bound to elect the candidate only from the ruling party.
The third thought suggests that if man accepts justice, then democracy is possible, but if he follows injustice, democracy is necessary to ensure justice to others.
The fourth thought suggests that democracy can work in a better way if we are aware citizens and help in its functioning. The fifth thought suggests that if we want true democracy, we should work for the removal of all the ills that come in its way.
Question 2.
Read these five examples of working or denial of democracy. Match each of these with the relevant features of democracy discussed above.
Answer:
| Example | Feature |
| King of Bhutan has declared that in future he will be guided by the advice given to him by elected representatives. | Rule of Law |
| Many Tamil workers who migrated from India were not given a right to vote in Sri Lanka. | Respect for rights |
| The King of Nepal imposed a ban on political gatherings, demonstrations and rallies. | One person, one vote, one value. |
| The Indian Supreme Court held that the dissolution of Bihar assembly was unconstitutional. | Free and fair electoral competition
|
| Political parties in Bangladesh have agreed that a neutral government should rule the country at the time of elections. | Major decisions by elected leaders |
(i) (e),(ii) (c), (iii) (b), (iv) (a), (v)(d)
Question 3.
Rajesh and Muzaffar read an article. It showed that no democracy has ever gone to war with another democracy. Wars takes place only when one of the two governments is non- democratic. The article said that this was a great merit of democracy. After reading the essay, Rajesh and Muzaffar had different reactions. Rajesh said that this was not a good argument for democracy. It was just a matter of chance. It is possible that in future democracies may have wars. Muzaffar said that it could not be a matter of chance. Democracies take decisions in such a way that it reduces the chances of war. Which of the two positions do you agree with and why?
(i) – e (ii) – c (iii) – b (iv) – a (v) – d
Answer:
I do agree with Muzaffar’s position. Democracies take decisions in such a way that it reduces the chances of war. It provides a method to deal with differences and conflicts. That is why, it is considered the best form of government.
Civics Class 9 Chapter 2 NCERT Textbook Questions and Answers
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.
(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
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.
(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) Undemocratic
(c) Undemocratic
(d) Undemocratic
Question 3.
Which of these is not a good argument in favour of democracy? Why?
(a) People feel free and equal in a democracy.
(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) This argument that democracies are more prosperous than others is not a good one in favour of democracy because prosperity of the people has nothing to do with the form of government. Sometimes a good monarch can be more concerned with the welfare of his subjects and can work hard to make his country more prosperous than some of the democracies, where different political parties and their leaders are always indulged in fight with each other which ultimately drag their country on the path of poverty. Thus, democracies may be more prosperous than others but not all the time. It all depends on the goodness and sacrifice of the leaders/rulers.
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 (WTO).
(b) The Election Commission ordered re-poling in a constituency where large-scale rigging was reported.
(c) Women’s representation in the parliament has barely reached 10 per cent. This led women’s organisations to demand one-third seats for women.
Answer:
(a)
- Democratic element: ‘A minister said that some laws have to be passed by the parliament’.
- Undemocratic element: ‘In order to conform to the regulations decided by the World Trade Organisation (WTO)’.
(b)
- Democratic element: ‘The Election Commission ordered re-polling in a constituency’.
- Undemocratic element: Where large-scale rigging was reported’.
(c)
- Democratic element: ‘Demand by women’s organisations for one-third seats for them in the parliament’.
- Undemodratie element: Women’s representation in the parliament has barely reached 10 per cent.
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) 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 practice 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) Filing a case in the courts claiming that water is part of right to life.
(b) Boycotting the next elections to give a message to all parties.
(c) Organising public meetings against government’s policies.
(d) 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.
(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) Army is the most disciplined and corruption-free organisation in the country. It plays an important role in keeping the country safe and sound. But army rule is not democratic because it is not elected by the people. Under such a rule people cannot enjoy even basic political rights. They are not free to express their opinions/views. They are exploited in numerous ways. Army rule means a dictator’s rule where military officers are empowered to do as they wish and no one has right to question them. We can refer to Chile where people suffered under the rule of General Augusto Pinochet. So, let the army do its assigned job.
(b) This argument may sound logical but is not justified. Such a thing would be against the principle of the Universal Adult Franchise which gives the right to vote to every adult irrespective of caste, sex, gender, religion, status, etc. It is not democratic to keep a vast majority of the people away from the governance. People must be given equal right to become a partner in the formation of government because only then they will obey the laws of the country which is important to run the government properly. As rule of majority represents the views of all sections of people, it is very much democratic and so it should be promoted.
(c) This argument is also not justified. Religious leaders can prove themselves good in guiding us in spiritual matters but this doesn’t mean that they would do a good job in politics also. It is a fact that no government run by religious leaders has proved successful so far in the history of the world. They arouse communal feelings in people which may lead to widespread communal violence.
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.
(b) Teacher to student: Don’t disturb my concentration by asking me questions in the classroom.
(c) Employee to the officer: Our working hours must be reduced according to the law.
Answer:
(a) This statement is not keeping with democracy as a value because here the father is thrusting his own opinion on his daughter. The daughter must have the right to choose her life-partner in her own way. There should not be any compulsion from parents’ side.
(b) This statement is also not keeping with democratic values because here the teacher behaves like a dictator. He does not allow his students to ask questions which is highly undemocratic.
(c) As per the norms of the law, employees can ask or request their officer for something like reducing working hours. So, this statement is in keeping with democratic values.
Question 9.
Consider the following facts about a country and decide if you would call it a democracy.
Give reasons to support your decision.
(а) All the citizens of the country have right to vote. Elections are held regularly.
(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.
(c) People speak more than seven languages but education is available only in one language, the language spoken by 52 per cent people of that country.
(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.
(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:
(a) This country is democratic because here all the citizens have the right to vote and elections are held regularly.
(b) This country is not democratic as the government here does not work for the welfare of its citizens. Reducing expenses on education and health will not enhance the dignity of the citizens, which is a major feature of democracy.
(c) If seven languages are spoken in the country, education should not be given only in one language, even though it is a language of the majority. It means that the languages of the minority class are not given much importance. I think the country is undemocratic.
(d) This is a highly undemocratic country because the government here does not follow the democratic norms. It has arrested those leaders who have given a call for peaceful demonstrations. In a true democracy, we have the right to organise demonstrations in a peaceful manner. If this right of ours is scrapped, it means we are living under the rule of an undemocratic ruler.
(e) In a democratic country radio and television are independent. All the newspapers are also independent of government. But is they have to take permission from the government to publish any news about government’s policies, it means the country is not democratic.
Question 10.
In 2004, a report published in USA pointed to the increasing inequalities in that country. Inequalities in income reflected in the participation of people in democracy. It also shaped their abilities to influence the decisions taken by the government. The report highlighted that:
Answer:
(i) If an average Black family earns $ 100 then the income of average White family in $ 162. A White family has twelve times more wealth than the average Black family.
(ii) In a president’s election nearly 9 out of 10 individuals in families with income over $ 75,000 have voted. These people are the top 20% of the population in terms of their income. On the other hand only 5 people out of 10 from families with income less than $ 15,000 have voted. They are the bottom 20% of the population in terms of their income.
(iii) About 95% contribution to the political parties comes from the rich. This gives them opportunity to express their opinions and concerns, which is not available to most citizens.
(iv) As poor sections participate less in politics, the government does not listen to their countries— coming out of poverty, getting job, education, health care and housing for them. Politicians hear most regularly about the concerns of business persons and the rich.
Question 11.
Write an essay on ‘Democracy and Poverty’ using the information given in this report but using examples from India.
Answer:
Democracy and Poverty
The topic ‘Democracy and Poverty’ points out a very complicated relationship between the two. It points out how fundamental rights of democracy are given to the wealthy section but the poor remains deprived of. In a democracy we can see the wide gap between the rich and the poor. Rich are getting richer while the poor are getting poorer. The reason is obvious. As poor sections participate less in politics, the government does not listen to their concerns. But the reverse happens with the rich.
Politicians hear most regularly about their concerns. It is a well-known truth that political parties are run by the money of the big business persons and the rich. That is why these parties see no gain in doing work for poverty reduction. What actually these parties do is showing false concerns for the poor in their public speeches. They keep their voices aloud for the reduction of poverty but do nothing in this regard. This is the reason why the poor never come out of poverty.
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