What is democracy? Why democracy? Democratic politics Chapter- 1 Short notes for Class 9 ० Democracy is taken from a Greek word demokratia...
What is democracy?Why democracy?
Democratic politics Chapter- 1
Short notes for Class 9
० Democracy is taken from a Greek word demokratia ( demo=people,kratia=rule).
० Democracy is a form of Government of the people, for the people, by the people. - Abraham Lincoln
० Democracy is a form of government in which the rulers are elected by the people.
* Myanmar - Army rule, Chile - Dictator Pinochet, Ghana - president Nkrumah ( not Chosen by people ) not a democracy.
* Hereditary king ( Nepal, Saudi Arabia) (only due to born in Noble families) not a democracy.
० Main features of democratic government
1. Decision making power must with those elected by the people.
* In Pakistan, President Musharraf has the power to dismiss National and state assemblies (not a democracy _ final power in Army / General hand)
2. Must based on free and fair election
* In Mexico election (every six years since 1980) the same party PRI (Institutional Revolutionary Party) won till 2000 ( not a democracy _ rigging and malpractices)
3. Must based on Universal adult franchise.
* Saudi Arabia (women can't vote), Fiji (indigenous fiji vote has more value than Indian fijian vota), Estonia ( difficult to Russian minority to Right to vote) (not democracy)
4. Government rules within limits set by constitutional law and citizen's right.
* In Zimbabwe ZANU-PF party led by Robert Mugabe rule since independence (1980) _ banned and regulated many activities in the country (not a a democracy _ government can't do what it likes after winning the elections)
5. There must be an independent judiciary.
० Arguments against democracy (demerit) :-
• Leads to instability due to frequent leader change.
• Leads to delay due to constant consultancy.
• Some time it led to bad decision since leader don't know the interest of people.
• It encourage corruption as it is based on electoral competition.
• It is only about competition and power play, no scope for morality.
• Ordinary people do not have the decision making ability.
० Arguments for democracy (merit) :-
• It is more accountable to its citizen.
• Improve the quality of decision making .
• It provides the method to deal with differences and conflicts.
• It enhances the dignity of citizen.
• It allows the citizens to correct their own mistakes.
* Some points to remember :-
० CHINA :-
• Chinese Parliament ( National people's Congress) chooses its president. Election regularly held after 5 years.
• Every candidate has to take approval from Chinese Communist Party to contest election.
० PAKISTAN :-
• In Pakistan General Pervej Musharraf led a military coup (October 1999) overthrew democratically elected government became president of country.
• He held a referendum based on malpractices and fraud granted him a 5 year extension
• Issued Legal Framework order and changed constitution ( in 2002)
• According to order president can dismiss National and provincial assembly.
• Moreover work of civilian cabinet is supervised by National Security Council (dominated by military officers).
० The democratic form of government may not be perfect government but still better than any other form of government.
० Democracy is not just a form government or just some form of Institution but in broader sense it is a principal which should be incalculated in every sphere of life.
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I hope this will help you.
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