NCERT solution of What is democracy? Why democracy?, Civics-IX

  What is democracy?  Why democracy?    Democratic politics Chapter- 2 NCERT solutions for Class 9 1. Here is some information about four co...

 

What is democracy? 

Why democracy? 

 Democratic politics

Chapter- 2

NCERT solutions for Class 9

1. 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 A: People who do not accept the country’s official religion do not have a right to vote.

Ans: Undemocratic

(b) Country B: The same party has been winning elections for the last twenty years.

Ans: Not sure

(c) Country C: Ruling party has lost in the last three elections.

Ans: Democratic

(d) Country D: There is no independent election commission.

Ans: Undemocratic

2. 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.

Ans: Undemocratic

(b) Country Q: The parliament cannot pass a law reducing the powers of the judiciary.

Ans: Democratic

(c) Country R: The country’s leaders cannot sign any treaty with another country without taking permission from its neighbouring country.

Ans: Undemocratic

(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: Undemocratic

3. 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.
This is not a good argument as the prosperity of a country cannot be determined through its form of government but through its economic condition. For example, a democratic country like India is still a developing country, while a country following monarchy rule is economically strong.

4. Each of these statements contains a democratic and 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).

Ans: Democratic: A minister said that some laws have to be passed by the parliament. 
Undemocratic: 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.

Ans: Democratic: The Election Commission ordered re-polling in a constituency. 

Undemocratic: large-scale rigging was reported.

(c) Women’s representation in the parliament has barely reached 10 percent. This led women’s organisations to demand one-third seats for women.

Ans: Democratic: women’s organisations demand one-third seats for women.

Undemocratic: Women’s representation in the parliament has barely reached 10 percent.

5. 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 practice any religion.
Ans:
(d) “People are free to believe in and practise any religion” is not a valid reason. 

6. 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 needs. Which of these is not a democratic method?

(a) Filing a case in the courts claiming that water is part of the right to life.
(b) Boycotting the next elections to give a message to all parties.
(c) Organising public meetings against the government’s policies.
(d) Paying money to government officials to get water.

Ans:
(d) Paying money to government officials to get water is an undemocratic method.

7. Write a response to the following arguments against democracy.
(a) Army is the most disciplined and corruption-free organisation in the country. Therefore the army should rule the country.

Ans: Army the most disciplined and corruption-free organisation in the country. However, it is unfair if an army rules, as the army was not chosen by the citizens and hence it will be an undemocratic practice.

(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.

Ans: Such a thing would be against the principle of the Universal Adult Franchise.Everyone has the right to participate equally in the formation of the government. Therefore ignoring some sections of society would be unfair.

(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: Religion and politics are two different things. In a multi-religious country bringing religion into politics can cause serious conflict among the people. Religious leaders can bring trouble to the country due to their mutual conflicts of ideologies. Many of them even do not have any experience in administration.

8. 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.

 Ans: The statement does not keep with democracy as a value, as the daughter is not allowed to express her opinion. As per our Constitution, every citizen who is 18 or above has the right to marry according to his/her choice.

(b) Teacher to student: Don’t disturb my concentration by asking me questions in the classroom.

Ans: The statement made is undemocratic as the student is being denied the right to ask questions, which is his/her right. 

(c) Employee to the officer: Our working hours must be reduced according to the law.

Ans: The statement keeps with democracy, as employee voices his opinion for his right under the law.

9. 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 the right to vote Elections are held regularly.

Ans:   It is a democratic country, two important features of democracy regular elections and universal adult franchise is practiced in the country. 

(b) The country took a loan from international agencies. One of the conditions for the given loan was that the government would reduce its expenses on education and health.

Ans: It is undemocratic.The country is compromising on the welfare of the people by reducing their expenditure on education and health which is totally undemocratic action.

(c) People speak more than seven languages but education is available only in one language, the language spoken by 52 percent people of the country.

Ans: It is undemocratic. The national language can be a single language because such a concept will bring about national integrity but education which is a fundamental right of the people and it is the government’s duties to provide them in the language they know.

(d) Several organisations have given a call for peaceful demonstrations and nationwide strikes in the country to oppose these policies. The government has arrested these leader.

Ans: It is undemocratic.Right to assemble and peacefully demonstrate is a basic right of an individual.

(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 the government’s policies and protests.

Ans:  Undemocratic, the total control of media shows that there is no freedom of speech and expression and the right to speak against the government.

I hope this will help you. 

Don't hesitate to ask (comment) any question or give any suggestion. 

Thank you for visiting.