Democratic Politics
Chapter 1
What is Democracy?
Why Democracy?
Answer the following questions
1. What is democracy? Mention any three essential features of democracy.
Ans Democracy is a form of government in which the rulers are elected by the people .
Features are as follows
● Rulers elected by the people take all the major decisions
● Elections offer a choice and fair opportunity to the people to change the current
rulers.
● This choice and opportunity is available to all the people on an equal basis.
● The exercise of this choice leads to a government limited by basic rules of the
constitution and citizen’s rights.
2. Give arguments against democracy.
Ans Some of the arguments against democracy are as follows:
● Leaders keep changing in a democracy. This leads to instability.
● Democracy is all about political competition and power play. There is no scope for
morality.
● So many people have to be consulted in a democracy that it leads to delays.
● Elected leaders do not know the best interest of the people. It leads to bad decisions
● Democracy leads to corruption for it is based on electoral competition.
● Ordinary people don’t know what is good for them; they should not decide anything.
3 How can democracy enhance the dignity of the citizens?
● Democracy is based on the principle of political equality on recognising that the poor
and the illiterate have the same status as the rich and the educated.
● People are not subjects of a ruler, they are the rulers themselves.
● Even when they make mistakes, they are responsible for their conduct.
4.Give arguments in favour of democracy.
Ans. The arguments in favour of democracy are:
● A democratic government is a better government because it is a more accountable form
of government.
● It improves the quality of decision-making.
● It provides methods to deal with differences and conflicts.
● It enhances the dignity of citizens.
● It is better than other forms of government as it allows rulers to correct its own mistakes.
5.How does democracy provide a platform to deal with differences and conflicts?
● In any society, people are bound to have differences of opinions and interests.
● These differences are particularly sharp in a country like ours which has an amazing
social diversity. People of our country belong to different regions, speak different
languages, practise different religions.
● So they look at the world very differently and have different preferences. Democracy
provides the peaceful solution to this problem.
● In a diverse country like India, democracy keeps our country together and united.
6.How does democracy improve the quality of decision making?
● A democratic decision involves consultation with and consent of all those who are
affected by that decision.
● Those who are not powerful have the same say in taking the decisions as those who are
powerful.
● This can apply to a government or a family or any other organisation.
● The chance of rash or irresponsible decisions is also less in a democracy.
7.Why is democracy considered the best form of government?
● Democracy cannot give us everything but is clearly better than any other alternative.
● It offers better chances of a good decision, it is likely to respect people's wishes and
allows different kinds of people to live together.
● Even when it fails to do some of these things. It allows a way of correcting its mistakes
and offers more dignity to all citizens.
● That is why democracy is considered the best form of government.
8. How did Musharraf establish his rule in Pakistan?
● Musharraf came to power after attempting a military coup. He overthrew a
democratically elected government and declared himself the Chief Executive of the
country.
● Later, he changed his designation to President and in 2002 held a referendum in the
country that granted him a five-year extension.
● Pakistani media, human rights organisations and democracy activists said that the
referendum was based on malpractices and fraud.
● 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.
● The work of the civilian cabinet is supervised by a National Security Council which is
dominated by military officers.
9.Giving an example of Zimbabwe, show how laws were made by one single ruler.
● Since Zimbabwe got independence in 1980, it is being ruled by ZANU-PF which led the
freedom struggle
● Its leader, Robert Mugabe has been ruling the country since independence. But
ZANU-PF won due to unfair practices in elections.
● His government has made changes in the constitution several times to increase the power
of the President and make him less accountable.
● The opposition party workers were harassed and their meetings were disrupted.
● Public protests and demonstrations are declared illegal.
● Laws are made to limit the right to criticise the President.
● The media has been forced to write and speak in favour of the ruling party.
● There are independent newspapers but the government harasses those journalists who
were against it. The government has ignored some court judgements that went against it
and has pressured judges.
This example of Zimbabwe shows that a popular government can be undemocratic. Popular
leaders can be autocratic. If we wish to assess a democracy, it is important to look at the election
and how they are fought.
10.Explain the Legal Framework Order of 2002 issued by Parvez Musharraf.
● General Parvez Mushraff issued a Legal Framework Order in August 2002 that amended
the constitution of Pakistan.
● According to this order ,the President can dismiss the national or the provincial
assemblies.
● The work of the civilian cabinet is supervised by a National Security Council Which is
dominated by military officers.
● After passing this law,elections were held to the national and state assemblies.
● So,Pakistan has had elections ,elected representatives have some powers.
● But the final power rests with military officers and general Musharraf himself.
