Ch-1 What is democracy? Why democracy?
Class -9 Sub- S.S
Q1. Answer the following:-
1) Which party of Zimbabwe helped its country to gain independence?
1) The ZANU-PF party of Zimbabwe helped its country to gain independence.
2) Which Pakistani General led a military coup in October 1999?
2) The Pakistani General who led a military coup in October 1999 was General Parvez Musharraf.
3) Zimbabwe attained independence from white minority rule in which year?
3) Zimbabwe attained independence from which minority rule in 1980.
4) During which period did China record its worst famines in world history?
4) China’s famine of 1958-1961 was the worst recorded famine in world history. Nearly three crore
people died in this famine.
5) Which one country out of France, USA Myanmar and India is not a true democratic country?
5) Myanmar is not a true democratic country because it is ruled by military rulers.
6) What are the major challenges to the working of democracy in India?
6) Casteism and communalism are the major challenges to the working of democracy in India.
7) Name the famous political party of Mexico.
7) The famous political party of Mexico is Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI)
8) What is the most common form of democracy in today’s world?
8) The most common form of democracy in today’s world is representative democracy.
9) Where did democracy make its first formal appearance in the 5th and 6th century BC?
9) Democracy made its first formal appearance in the Greek city states during 5th and 6th century BC.
10) Name the capital of Republic of Fiji.
10) Suva
11) Which form of Government is present in Fiji?
11) Fiji is a parliamentary republic run by military appointed government.
12) Name the capital and official language of Estonia.
12) The capital of Estonia is Tallinn and the official language is Estonian.
13) On which respect is Saudi Arabia the only country in the world?
13) Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world which bans women from driving.
14) ‘Banning Trade Unions ‘is it a characteristic of democracy or not?
14) ‘Banning Trade Unions’ is not a characteristic of democracy.
15) Suggest one of the important feature of democracy.
15) In democracy, people can choose their own leaders.
16) What does a candidate need before contesting elections in China?
16) A candidate needs the approval of the Chinese Communist Party before contesting elections in China.
17) What is the main feature of democracy?
17) Democracy is a form of government in which the rulers are elected by the people.
18) When does a citizen have an equal role in decision- making?
18) In a democracy, a citizen has an equal role in decision-making. A democratic decision always
involves consultation and discussion of many persons.
19) When did Zimbabwe attain independence from the White minority rule?
19) Zimababwe attained independence from the White minority rule in 1980.
20) Which party always forms the Government in China?
20) The Communist party of China always form the government in China.
Q2. Answer the following:-
1) Write any three instances of denial of equal right to vote in the world politics.
1) One major demand of democracy is ‘universal adult franchise’ i.e. Right to Vote for every adult citizen.
But in the world politics, there are many instances of denial of equal right to vote.
2) In Saudi Arabia, women did not have the right to vote until 2011. On 25th September, 2011, King
Abdullah declared that women will have the right to stand and vote in future.
3) Estonia made its citizenship rule in such a manner, that people belonging to Russian minority find it
difficult to get the right to vote.
4) In China, before contesting the election, the candidate needs the approval of the Chinese Communist
Party.
5) Although the countries declare themselves as democracies, but the fundamental principle of ‘political
equality’ is denied in all the cases. Thus, these are not truly democratic countries.
2) Examine the three demerits of democracy.
2) Some demerits of democracy are:
a) Leaders keep changing in a democracy. It leads to instability.
b) Democracy is all about political competition and power play. Here political parties try to win
elections spreading caste feelings, communalism, practising immoral methods etc.
c) So many people have to be consulted in a democracy that it leads to delays. Involving people in the
decision-making does lead to delay which is not desirable for the nation.
3) Write three arguments in favour of democracy.
3) Arguments for democracy are:
a) A democratic government is a more accountable form of government. A democracy requires that the
rulers have to attend to the needs of the people.
b) Democracy is based on negotiation and deliberation which improves the quality of decision- making.
c) It allows us to correct our own mistakes. In democracy, there is always a scope that the rulers can
change their wrong decisions or the rulers themselves can be changed.
4) Why is democracy considered the best form of Government?
4) a) Democracy has been accepted as the best form of government in the modern world. Under this,
government works for the welfare of the people.
b) Democracy performs better regarding the removal of poverty and backwardness in a country. It
offers better conditions of living.
c) It implements policies to ensure equal opportunities for al, citizens in education and employment.
Democracy is likely to respect people’s own wishes and allows different kinds of people to live
together.
d) Even if it fails to deliver on some of its promises, always there is a scope to correct its mistakes.
Above all, it offers more dignity to all citizens. That is why democracy is considered it considered the
best form of Government.
5) Write any five arguments in favour of democracy.
5) Democracy is a form of government in which the rules are elected by the people. Democracy is
considered the best form of Government.
a) A Democratic form of government is a better government because it is more accountable form of
government. A democracy requires that the rulers have to attend to the needs of the people.
b) Democracy is based on consultation and discussions. Although it takes time, but this process reduces
the chances of rash and irresponsible decisions. Thus, democracy improves the quality of decision-
making.
c) Democracy provides a method to deal with differences and conflicts in society. In a diverse country
like India, democracy keeps our country together.
d) As democracy is based on the principle of political equality, it enhances the dignity of citizens.
e) Democracy is better than other forms of government because it allows us to correct its own mistakes.
In democracy, there is a scope for public discussion on these mistakes.
