CHAPTER 1 WHAT IS DEMOCRACY? 1 WHY DEMOCRACY?

Q1. Here is some information about the 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: The Ruling party has lost in the last three elections.
(d) Country D: There is no independent election commission.
Ans:
(a) Country A: Undemocratic

This country is undemocratic because it does not grant equal voting rights to all its citizens. In a true democracy, every citizen, regardless of their religion, should have the right to vote.

(b) Country B: Not sure

We cannot tell if this country is democratic or not just from the information given. A party winning elections for twenty years might mean it’s popular and doing a good job. But if the party is staying in power through corruption or by cheating in elections, then it is not democratic.

(c) Country C: Democratic

This country is democratic because the ruling party has lost the last three elections. This shows that there are free and fair elections and that power is transferred peacefully, which are key features of a democratic system.

(d) Country D: Undemocratic

This country is undemocratic because it doesn’t have an independent election commission. This can lead to election fraud or manipulation by the ruling party, which weakens the democratic process.

Features of Democracy

Q2. 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.
Ans:
(a) Country P: Undemocratic

Country P is considered undemocratic because, in a democratic system, the military should be controlled by civilians and not have the power to influence laws. In this country, the Chief of Army has too much power, which can weaken the democratic process.

(b) Country Q: Democratic

Country Q is classified as democratic because the judiciary is independent and its powers cannot be limited by the parliament. This independence ensures checks and balances among the different branches of government.

(c) Country R: Undemocratic

Country R is considered undemocratic because, in a democracy, leaders should be able to make important decisions for their country, like signing treaties with other nations. If they need permission from a neighboring country, it takes away their freedom to decide.

(d) Country S: Undemocratic

Country S is seen as undemocratic because, in a democracy, important economic choices should be made by elected leaders who answer to the public. If unelected central bank officials make these decisions, they might not represent what the people want.

Q3. 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.
Ans: (d)

Democracies are more prosperous than others is not a good argument in favour of democracy because some democratic countries, like Sri Lanka and India, aren’t very prosperous. In contrast, countries like China and Saudi Arabia, which have communist and monarchy systems, are more successful. A country’s prosperity depends more on good government policies and natural resources than on its type of government. Democracy doesn’t ensure prosperity.

Q4. 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-polling 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.
Ans:
(a) Democratic element – A minister said that some laws have to be passed by the parliament.
Undemocratic element – 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 – Large-scale rigging was reported.

(c) Democratic element – Women’s organisations to demand one-third of seats for women.
Undemocratic element – Women’s representation in parliament has barely reached 10 per cent.

Q5. 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 practise any religion. 
Ans: (d) People are free to believe in and practice any religion.

Option ‘d’ is not a valid reason for arguing that there is a lesser possibility of famine in a democratic country. This is because practising religion has nothing to do with preventing famine.

Q6. 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. 
Ans: (d) Paying money to government officials to get water.

Option ‘d’, which advocates paying the government officials money, is an undemocratic method.

Q7. 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.
Ans: 
(a) 

• If the army is allowed to rule the country, it will lead to the concentration of all powers in the army. Power should be divided among the three organs of the government i.e., legislature, executive and judiciary. 
• The concentration of all powers with the army will lead to a dictatorship.
  Example: Pinochet’s rule in Chile.

(b) 

• Democracy is a form of government where all adults have the right to vote. 
• Restricting people to rule and govern only by a minority having ‘wise people’ would harm representational democracy.

(c) 

• Politics and religion are two different fields. Religion takes us towards spirituality by teaching us what is good or bad. 
• The combination of religion and politics leads to communalism or communal politics which is very dangerous.

Q8. 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.
Ans:
(a) This statement is undemocratic because it goes against the democratic values of individual freedom and the right to express opinions. In a democracy, everyone has the right to take part in decisions that affect their lives, including personal matters like marriage. By not allowing his daughter to share her thoughts on her own marriage, the father is denying her this right, which is undemocratic.
(b) This statement is undemocratic because it goes against the value of open conversation and sharing ideas. In a learning environment, students should be encouraged to ask questions and discuss topics, as this helps them think critically, which is important in a democracy. By not allowing questions, the teacher is stopping open conversation.
(c) This statement is democratic because it supports democratic values. The employee is claiming their right to fair working conditions, which is a basic right in a democracy. By asking for the law to be followed, they are taking part in a democratic process and respecting the rule of law, which is important in a democracy.

Q9. Consider the following facts about a country and decide if you would call it a democracy. Give reasons to support your decision.
(a) 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 percent 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.
Ans:
(a) From this statement, we can understand that it is a democratic country where citizens are allowed to vote and choose their government.
(b) While taking a loan from international agencies, the country is compromising on the welfare of the people by reducing their expenditure on education and health, which is totally undemocratic.
(c) The provision of making education accessible in only one language is undemocratic. It is the fundamental right for people to have an education, and it is the government’s duty to provide them with the language they know.
(d) The right to assemble and peacefully demonstrate is a basic right of an individual. Hence, arresting the protestors is undemocratic.
(e) When the government owns the radio and television, it is preventing people from availing their right to a free press. It is undemocratic.

Q10. 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:

• If an average Black family earns $ 100 then the income of average White family is $ 162. A White family has twelve times more wealth than the average Black family.
• In a President’s election, ‘nearly 9 out of 10 individuals in families with income over $ 75,000 have voted. These people are in 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 in the bottom 20% of the population in terms of their income.
• About 95% of the contribution to the political parties comes from the rich. This gives the opportunity to express their opinions and concerns, which is not available to most citizens.
• As poor sections participate less in politics, the government does not listen to their concerns – coming out of poverty, getting the job, education, health care and housing for them. Politicians hear most regularly about the concerns of business persons and the rich.

Write an essay on ‘Democracy and Poverty’ using the information given in this report but using examples from India.
Ans:

• Poverty and Democracy highlight an important, complicated relationship between the two. It points out how fundamental rights of democracy are given to the elite section, but the poor are still being deprived of them.
• Issues like unfair business practices and unequal opportunities have widened the gap between the rich and poor. The rich keep getting richer, while the poor struggle more. Wealthy people are influencing government decisions, which creates an imbalance in power and goes against the core ideas of democracy.
• Poverty has become a serious threat, with political parties relying on money from the wealthy. As a result, these parties often ignore the needs of the poor. The glamorous growth of industries and tall buildings cannot hide the poor living conditions in many areas.
• During the 2014 and 2019 Indian elections, big donations from corporations and wealthy individuals influenced campaigns and political agendas. Democracy is built on political equality, where the poorest and least educated have the same value as the rich and educated. 
• However, when the system favors the wealthy, true democracy cannot survive for long, leading to conflicts in the fight to improve it.