• Why Elections?
• What is our System of Election?
• What Makes Elections in India Democratic

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

1.    Democracy improves the quality of decision-making.' Explain.

Ans. Reasons are:

(i) A democratic decision involves many persons, discussion, debates etc.

(ii) A number of people together can point out possible mistakes in any decision.

(iii) This takes time but reduces chances of a rash/irresponsible decision.

2.    "Democratic government is more accountable form of government." Justify the statement with suitable arguments.

Ans. Democratic government is more accountable form of government due to the following reasons:

(i) It responds to the needs of the people.

(ii) It provides a method to deal with differences and conflicts.

(iii) It enhances the dignity of the citizens.

(iv) It allows us to correct its mistakes.

3.     "Democracy is better than any other form of government, because it allows to correct its own mistakes." Justify the statement with the help of three examples.

Ans. Examples:

(i) In a democracy, mistakes cannot be hidden for long.

(ii) There is space for public discussion.

(iii) There is room for correction.

(iv) Either ruler has to change their decisions or the rulers can be changed.

4.    "Democracy is based on consultation and discussion." Explain this statement.

Ans. This statement states that:

(i) Democratic decisions always involve many persons, discussions and meetings.

(ii) When a number of people put their head together they are able to point out their mistakes.

(iii) It takes time but there is a big advantage in taking time over important decisions.

5.    Giving an example of Mexico, prove that although having a democratic system, they were not practising democracy.

(i) Since independence in 1930, Mexico holds elections every six years to elect their President. PRI was a party called Institutional Revolutionary Party of Mexico. All those who were employed in government offices had to attend its party meetings. Even the teachers of government schools used to force parents to vote for the PRI. Media largely ignored the activities of opposition political parties except to criticise them

(ii) But until 2000, every election was won by a party called PRI. Opposition parties did contest elections, but never managed to win.

(iii) The PRI was known to use many dirty tricks to win elections. The PRI spent large soms of money in the campaign for its candidates and booths were shifted from one place to another in the last minute, which made it difficult for the people to cast their votes.

6.    Why are elections in China not free and fair? Explain any three reasons.

Ans. Reasons are:

(i) Elections are held after every five years for the Parliament called the National People's Congress.

(ii) It has the power to appoint the President. It has 3000 members but some are elected by the army.

(iii) Only members of the Communist Party are allowed to contest elections.

(iv) The government is always formed by Communist Party which makes it undemocratic.

7.    In a democracy, no one is a permanent winner or loser'. Why do we say that? Give three points?

(1) In any country, we find people of different ethnic groups, different communities living together. In that kind of social diversity government take different ways of power sharing.

(ii) There can be difference of opinions or history proves divisions of the countries are all due to these variations in a society.

(iii) But these different groups can be able to live amiably if a government is able to accommodate all. Then government cannot be permanent winner or loser.

LONG QUESTIONS

1)   State the main features of democracy.

Ans. The main features of democracy are:

(i) In a democracy, the final decision-making power must rest with those elected by the people.

(ii) A democracy must be based on free and fair elections, where those currently in power have a fair chance of losing.

(ii) In a democracy, each adult citizen must have one vote and each vote must have one value.

(iv) A democratic government rules within limits set by the constitutional law and citizens' rights.

(v) Democracy provides a method to deal with differences and conflicts. It enhances the dignity of the citizens.

2)   State any five arguments against democracy.

OR

Give any five arguments against democracy.

OR

What shortcomings do you see in the democratic system of India? List any five.

OR

"Democracy is the most popular form of government in the modern times. Justify the statement by assessing five features of democracy.

Ans. Arguments against democracy:

(i) Change of leaders leads to instability.

(ii) Consulting more people leads to delays.

(iii) It leads to corruption.

(iv) It involves only political competition with no scope for morality.

(v) Ordinary people don't know that what is good for them.

3)   Why do we prefer democracy than any other form of government?

OR

Why is democracy better than any other form of government? Write five arguments to support of your answer.

OR

Write any five arguments for democracy.

Ans. Arguments for democracy:

(i) It improves the quality of decision-making.

(ii) It provides a method to deal with differences and conflicts.

(iii) It enhances the dignity of citizens.

(iv) It allows correcting its own mistakes.

(v) It is more accountable and responsive

4)   How did Musharraf establish his rule in Pakistan?

Ans.

(i) Musharraf came to power after attempting a military coup. He overthrew a democratic elected government and declared himself the Chief Executive of the country.

(ii) Later, he changed his designation to President and in 2002 held a referendum in the country that granted him a five-year extension.

(iii) Pakistani media, human rights organisations and democracy activists said that the referendum was based on malpractices and fraud.

(iv) In August 2002, he issued a 'Legal Framework Order' that amended the constitution of Pakistan. According to this order, the President can dismiss the national or provincial assemblies.

(v) The work of the civilian cabinet is supervised by a National Security Council which dominated by military officers.

5)   What do you understand by the "broader meaning of democracy”? Explain.

Ans. The broader meaning of democracy, signifies that:

(i) Democracy is a principle that can be applied to any sphere of life.

(ii) The most common form of democracy in today's world is rule through people's elected representatives.

(iii) Every democracy has to try to realise the ideals of a democratic decision making. This cannot be achieved once and for all. It requires a constant effort to save and strengthen democratic forms of decision making.

(iv) Democracy depends on active political participation by all the citizens. That is why a study of democracy must focus on democratic politics

6)   Enlist the rights/freedoms which people do not enjoy in non-democratic countries.

Ans. The rights which the people of non-democratic countries cannot enjoy are:

(i) People cannot choose/change rulers.

(ii) No real freedom to express opinions.

(iii) No freedom to form political associations.

(iv) No freedom to organise protests/action.

(v) No right to question authority.

7)   Highlight any five unfair practices used by the President of Zimbabwe to win the elections.

Ans. Unfair practices used by the President:

(i) His government has changed the constitution several times to increase his power.

(ii) Opposition party workers are harassed and their meetings disrupted.

(iii) Public protests and demonstrations against the government are declared illegal.

(iv) Laws that limits the right to criticise the president were passed.

(v) Television and radio are controlled by the government.

(vi) Government has ignored some court judgements and went against it.

(vii) Government harasses those journalists who go against it.

8)   Why Pakistan under General Musharraf cannot be called a democracy? State any five reasons.

Ans. Pakistan under General Musharaff cannot be called a democracy:

(i) People in Pakistan have elected representatives to the National and Provincial Assemblies but those elected representatives are not the real leaders.

(ii) The power to take final decisions rests with army officials and General Musharraf.

(iii) They formally have an elected Parliament and government. The work of the civilian cabinet is supervised by the National Security Council which is dominated by military officials.

(iv) The real powers in Pakistan are with military officers and not with locally elected representatives.

(v) This cannot be called 'people's rule. General Musharraf was responsible for coup.

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