Q 1. What is the most basic outcome of democracy?
Ans. The most basic outcome of democracy is that it produces a government that is accountable to the citizens, and responsive to the needs and expectations of the citizens.
Q 2. What is the political aspect of democracy?
Ans. There should be regular elections and power be vested in the hands of elected representatives of the people.
Q 3. On what basis you support democracy in your respective country? Explain.
Ans. On the following basis people support democracy in their respective countries:
(1) A democratic government is a better government because it is a more accountable form of government. Democracy is better than any other form of government in responding to the needs of the people. A non-democratic government may and can respond to the people’s needs, but it all depends on the wishes of the people who rule.
(2) Democracy is based on consultation and discussion. A democratic decision always involves many persons, discussions, and meetings. This reduces the chances of rash or irresponsible decisions. Thus, emocracy improves the quality of decision-making.
(3) In any society, people are bound to have differences of opinions and interests. Democracy provides a method to deal with differences and conflicts. In a diverse country like India, democracy keeps our country together.
(4) Democracy is based on the principle of political equality, on recognizing that the poorest and the least educated have the same status as the rich and the educated. Democracy enhances the dignity of citizens.
(5) In a democracy, mistakes cannot be hidden for long. There is a space for public discussion on these mistakes. And, there is room for correction. Either the rulers have to change their decisions or the rulers can be changed. Finally, democracy is better than other forms of
government because it allows us to correct our own mistakes.
Q 4. How can we say that a democratic government is a legitimate government?
Ans. A democratic government is a legitimate government because it is the people’s own government.
Q 5. In today’s world, which type of democratic governments are most popular?
Ans. Representative democratic governments.
Q 6. How do the poor get a voice for a better share in a democratic nation?
Ans. The poor get a voice for a better share in the democratic nation when it is given proper representation and chances to participate in decision-making.
Q 7. How does democracy produce a responsive government?
Ans. Democracy produces a government that is accountable to the citizens and responsive to the needs and expectations of the citizens.
Q 8. Explain any five aspects of democratic government and politics.
Ans. The three important aspects of democratic government and politics include —accountability, responsiveness, and legitimacy.
(1) Accountability :
(i) Democracy ensures that decision-making will be based on established norms and procedures. So, a citizen who wants to know if a decision was taken through the correct procedure can find this out.
(ii) In a democracy, citizens have the right and the means to examine the process of decision-making.
(iii) It is right to expect democracy to produce a government that follows procedures and is accountable to the people.
(iv) Democratic government develops mechanisms for citizens to hold the government accountable and mechanisms for citizens to take part in decision-making whenever they think fit.
(2) Responsiveness :
(i) People expect their needs and demands to be fulfilled.
(ii) It is reasonable to expect a democracy to be attentive and responsive to the needs and demands of the people at the earliest.
(iii) Democracy is expected to be corruption-free.
(3) Legitimacy :
(i) Democratic government is a legitimate government.
(ii) Democratic government is the people’s own government.
(iii) That is why there is overwhelming support for the idea of democracy all over the world.
Q 9. How has corruption become a serious problem for Indian democracy? Explain with examples.
Ans. Following are the ways in which corruption has become a serious problem for Indian democracy:
(1) Use of money for winning an election: It has now become an accepted fact that leaders use the money to win the favor of the voters. This lessens the very spirit of democratic values.
(2) The increasing influence of rich people in political parties: There is an ever-increasing tendency among the political parties to give tickets to those who are rich. The parties think that they could win not only their own seats but also help the party monetarily.
(3) Frequent scams: Now, scams by leaders and governments have become a routine tale in Indian democracy. Many of the popular leaders are facing trials for corruption charges against them.
(4) Favoritism: It has been seen that the words of the prominent leaders of a political party easily get tickets for elections. The party workers keep serving for years but seldom get the ticket.
(5) Dynastic succession: It has now become a tradition in many of the popular political parties that the chair is inherited. All these are enough to convince that democracy is not free from the evil of corruption which has become a serious problem for Indian democracy.
Q 10. In which neighboring country more than half of the population is poverty-stricken?
Ans. In Bangladesh, more than half of the population is poverty-stricken.
Q 11. In which area does democracy fail to achieve the same results as in dictatorship?
Ans. Democracy fails to achieve higher economic development.
Q 12. Establish the relationship between democracy and development.
Ans. Democracy and development :
(1) Democracies are expected to product development, but the rate of development may be slow as compared to dictatorship.
(2) Development depends upon many factors like the size of the population, global situation, cooperation from other countries, etc.
(3) In democracies, time is taken on discussion and reaching a decision. So, it is slow, but it is not too behind.
Q 13. How can you say that democracies are based on political equality?
Ans. This is because all individuals have equal weight in electing representatives.
Q 14. What is meant by economic inequality?
Ans. Economic inequality means inequality of wealth and income among citizens of the country.
Q 15. Who are the real rulers in a democracy?
Ans. The voters.
Q 16. How is poverty a major challenge to democracy? Explain.
Ans.
(1) Evidence shows that in practice, democracies could not produce expected development. The inability of democracy to achieve higher economic development worries us.
(2) If we consider all democracies and all dictatorships for the fifty years between 1950 and 2000, dictatorships have a slightly higher rate of economic growth.
(3) Within democracies, there is a very high degree of inequalities. A small number of ultra-rich enjoy a highly disproportionate share of wealth and incomes. Those at the bottom of society have very little to depend upon. Yet, democratically elected governments do not appear to be keen to address the question of poverty.
Q 17. Explain the role of political equality in a democratic political system.
Ans. Democracy is based on a fundamental principle of political equality which ensures each adult citizen must have one vote and each vote must have one value.
(1) Democracy enhances the dignity of citizens. As democracy is based on the principle of Political equality, on recognizing that the poorest and the least educated have the same status as the rich and the educated.
(2) People are not subjects of a ruler, they are the rulers themselves. Even when they make mistakes they are responsible for their conduct.
(3) The principle of Universal Adult Franchise has now come to be accepted almost all Tat world. Yet, there are many instances of denial of equal right to vote.
(i) In Saudi Arabia, women do not have the right to vote.
(ii) Estonia has made its citizenship rules in such a way that people belonging to minorities find it difficult to get the right to vote.
(iii) In Fiji, the electoral system is such that the vote of an indigenous Fiji has more value than that of an Indian-Fijian.
Q 18. What is meant by harmonious social life?
Ans. Harmonious social life refers to the social life in which there are no tensions and conflicts between different groups of society i.e., people have the ability to handle social differences, divisions, and conflicts.
Q 19. Why do most individuals feel that every vote makes a difference in a democracy?
Ans. Since a public expression of dissatisfaction with democracy shows the success of the democratic project, most individuals today believe that their votes make a difference to the way the government is run and to their own self-interest.
Q 20. How does democracy; maintain the dignity of women? Explain.
Ans.
(1) The respect for and equal treatment of women are necessary ingredients of a democratic society.
(2)Actually, women are always not treated with respect. But, once the principle is recognized, it becomes easier for women to wage a struggle against what is now unacceptable legally and morally.
(3) In a non-democratic set-up, this unacceptability would not have a legal basis because the principle of individual freedom and dignity would not have the legal and moral force there. In this way, democracy has maintained the dignity of women in the country.
Q 21.”Democracy is a better form of government than other forms of government.” Which values, you think, are represented by democracy?
Ans.
(1) Equality: Democracy promotes equality among citizens. Every citizen of the country has equal rights before the law. In fact, political equality is the basis of democracy. All individuals have equal weight in electing representatives. It also reduces economic inequalities.
(2) Dignity and freedom of the individual: By giving its citizens equal rights, it enhances the dignity and freedom of an individual. Most societies were male-dominated. The status of women was not satisfactory. In democracies, equal treatment and respect for women have been accepted. Also, it has strengthened the claims of the disadvantaged and discriminated castes for equal status and equal opportunities.
(3) Conflict management: It provides methods to resolve conflicts among citizens or states. It has sufficient scope to correct mistakes. It reduces the possibility of social tension which may become explosive or violent. So, it produces a harmonious social life.
(4) Decision-making: It improves the quality of decision-making. This is because, in a democracy, there are open debates on major policy decisions.
(5) Legitimacy: Democracies use to hold free and fair elections at regular intervals. So. they are always attentive and responsive to the needs of the people. Since democratic governments have
the popular support of the voters, they are legitimate governments.
Q 22. ‘A democratic government is a legitimate government.’ Support the statement with arguments.
Ans. A democratic government is a legitimate government because of the following reasons.
It may be slow, less efficient, or not always responsive or clean, but it is people’s own government. It has planned institutions and practices for its functioning, such as:
1. free and fair elections.
2. Regular public debates.
3. right to information to citizens.
4. planned legislations.
In a democracy, decisions are taken in a very transparent manner citizens have the chance to examine the process of decision making.
Q 23. ‘Democracy accommodates social diversities.’ Support the statement with examples.
Ans. Democracy accommodates social diversities in the following ways.
- Democracy develops competitive attitude: Democracy develops a procedure to conduct competition among social classes. This reduces the possibility of conflicts and social tensions.
- Democracy evolves mechanisms to negotiate: No society can fully and permanently resolve conflicts among different groups, but we can certainly learn to respect these difference and can also evolve mechanisms to negotiate the differences. Democracies are best suited to produce this outcome.
- Democracy represents the general view: Democracy ensures that the government should not be made by the majority but it should have the representation of minority as well.
Q 24. How are democratic governments better than the other forms of governments? Compare.
Ans. Democracy is not a mere form of government. It is a form of society as well as a social order. It is always preferable and superior to any other form of government because of the following reasons.
- Democracy promotes equality among citizens: In democracy, each citizen is given equal rights and freedoms. There is no discrimination on the basis of religion, caste, colour, etc. Democracy aims at equitable distribution of incomes and products among citizens.
- Democracy enhances dignity of individuals: Democracy permits political equality for all its citizens. In democracy, there is absence of any domination and conflicts Thus, it implies every citizen enjoys dignity and freedom in democracy. Democracy improves the quality of decision-making. As democracy is based on deliberation and negotiations, it improves the quality of decision-making. In a democracy, every citizen takes part in the decision-making process, either directly or indirectly through the elected representatives.
- Democracy develops competitive attitude: Democracy usually develops a procedure to conduct competition among the social differences. This reduces the possibility of social tensions becoming explosive or violent.
- Democracy evolves mechanisms to negotiate: No society can fully and permanently resolve conflicts among different groups, but we can certainly learn to respect these differences and also evolve mechanisms to negotiate the differences. Democracies are best suited to produce this outcome.
- Democracy represents the general view: The majority always needs to work with the minority so that governments function to represent the general view, Democracy provides an accountable, responsive and legitimate government: The most basic feature of democracy is that it produces a government which is accountable to the citizens, responsive to the needs and expectations of the citizens and its legitimate.
Q 25. ‘Democracies are not appearing to be very successful in reducing economic inequalities.’ Analyze the statement.
Ans. ‘Democracies are based on political equality but they are not appearing to be very successful in reducing economic inequalities. The following points analyse the statement.
- A small number of ultra-rich enjoy a highly disproportionate share of wealth and incomes and their share in the total income of the country has been increasing whereas the poor lead a frugal life and they have very little to depend upon. Their incomes have been declining and they find it difficult to meet their basic needs of life.
- According to a recent report, India is the second most unequal country in the world with 54 percent wealth controlled by millionaires.
- The poor constitute a large population of voters. No party wants to lose their votes but they do not seem very interested in addressing the question of poverty.
- People in several poor countries are dependent on rich countries for food with Bangladesh being the worst with half of its population living in poverty.
Q 26. ‘A public expression of dissatisfaction with democracy shows the success of the democratic project.’ Justify the statement.
Ans. A public expression of dissatisfaction with democracy shows the success of the democratic project. This statement can be justified by giving the following arguments.
- When citizens show their dissatisfaction, it clearly shows that they are actively taking part in democratic projects, because this system is their own.
- A public expression of dissatisfaction shows that people are not just forcefully following or agreeing with whatever they are told.
- It shows that they are enjoying their freedom and hence they are no more subjects but are responsible citizens.
- Their freedom and transformation from the status of subjects to that of citizens is the main aim of democracy.
- As people get benefits, they ask for more. This makes democracy better
Q 27. How can you say that democracies are based on political equality?
Ans. Democracies are based on political equality as they provide equal rights to all the citizens to contest elections cast votes and ensure equal opportunity to be elected. They also subscribe to one vote, one value, and equal political rights.
Q 28. What is meant by transparency?
Ans. Right or means to examine the process of decision-making is called transparency.
Q 29. Why is a democratic government better than other alternatives?
Ans. Democracy is a better form of government because it is legitimate, accountable, responsive, promotes equality among citizens, enhances the dignity of the individual, improves the quality of decision-making, and allows room to correct mistakes.
Q 30. ‘There is an overwhelming support for the idea of democracy all over the world.’ Support the statement.
Ans. There is overwhelming support for the idea of democracy all over the world because of the following reasons.
A democratic government is the people’s own government. People wish to be ruled by the representatives elected by them. It promotes equality among citizens. It improves the quality of decision-making. It provides room for the correction of mistakes. It has the ability to generate its own support.
Q 31. Explain any three common features of democracies.
Ans. The following are the three common features of democracies.
- Regular elections: In a democratic government, the general elections are held to elect a new government.
- Right to vote: All the citizens of the country, of and above a certain age, have the right to vote.
- Political parties: Political parties are an essential part of democracy. They put up candidates who contest the election.
- Rule of law: Another common feature of all democracies is that it ensures rule of law. Law is supreme and all the citizens are
equal in the eyes of law. No one is above the law.
Q 32. ‘Democracies lead to peaceful and harmonious life among citizens.’ Support the statement with suitable examples.
Ans. Democracy leads to peaceful and harmonious life among citizens as it gives its citizens a sound political system based on social equality. We can prove the statement by citing the following instances.
democracy provides a conducive political environment for citizens for their popular participation in politics. Every citizen has the right to vote and the right to contest elections.
Democracy stands for equal economic status to all citizens. In a democracy, the government undertakes extensive social welfare schemes and achieves a universal literacy rate. In the social sphere, democracy tries to help its citizens to lead a peaceful and harmonious life by accommodating various social divisions and providing social equality to its citizens. Democratic governments try to resolve differences, respect differences and try mechanisms which can negotiate differences.
Q 33. Explain four ways in which democracies have been able to reduce inequality and poverty.
Ans. Four ways in which democracies have been able to reduce inequality and poverty are as follows.
- It ensures political equality by giving equal voting rights to every citizen,
- It provides a suitable environment for group activism which leads to equal opportunity to raise the concerns of poor people.
- It supports the redistributive mechanism for transferring economic benefits on the basis of requirement of any section of society. This leads to more equitable division of benefits to underprivileged which reduces poverty.
- It protects the rights of every citizen without discrimination on the basis of economic status ensuring social equality.
Q 34 How do democratic governments ensure transparency? Explain any three points.
Ans. Democratic governments ensure transparency in the following ways.
- They make sure that decision-making will be based on norms and procedures.
- They allow every citizen to participate in decision-making, directly or indirectly, through representatives.
- Citizens can examine and find out about the correctness of the procedure of decision-making using their right to information.
- They are accountable to the people. If people are not satisfied with the way the government works, they have the right to change the government in the next general elections.
- They provide people with power to demand answers from their representatives and reduce the chances of corruption.
Q 35. ‘Constant complaints by people can be seen as a testimony to the success of a democracy.’ Explain.
Ans. Complaints are treated as testimony to the success of democracy in the following ways.
- Complaints highlight the awareness of the people and their expectations from the system that has been put in place.
- It reflects that citizens are not overawed by those in power and can objectively and critically examine the difference they have made.
- It is a measure of their participation in public debates which democracy seeks to encourage.
A public expression of dissatisfaction with democracy shows the success of the democratic project. It shows that people have transformed themselves from being subjects to being citizens.