JKBOSE 9th Class Social Science Solutions Chapter 1 What is Democracy ? Why Democracy ? 

Origin of the word Democracy : The word Democracy has been derived from two Greek words-“Demos” and “Kratos”. The former meaning ‘the people” and the latter ‘power’. Democracy thus means ‘power of the people’ or ‘rule of multitude.’

Characteristics of Democracy : (i) Sovereignty of the people, (ii) Rule of people, (ii) Interest of people, (iv) Share in administration, (v) Liberty, (vi) Equality, (vii) Rule of Law, (viii) Fundamental Rights, (ix) Rule of Majority, (x) Justice etc.

Types of Democracy : (i) Direct Democracy, (ii) Indirect Democracy. Institutions of Direct Democracy : (i) Initiative, (ii) Referendum, (iii) Recall, (iv) Plebiscite.

Merits of Democracy : (i) It is a government of the people, (ii) Equality, (iii) Liberty, (iv) Based on public opinion, (v) Responsible and Stable government, (vi) No possibility of Revolution, (vii) Political education, (viii) National Unity and patriotism etc.

Demerits of Democracy : (i) Government of ignorants and incompetents, (ii) More importance to quantity rather than to quality, (iii) Government of rich, (iv) More expensive, (v) Dictatorship of majority, (vi) Bad effects of political parties etc.

Essential conditions for the success of Democracy : (i) Enlightened citizenship, (ii) Education, (iii) Protection of fundamental rights, (iv) Social and Economic equality, (v) Freedom of press, (vi) Toleration, (vii) Independent Judiciary, (vii) Written Constitution etc.

Meaning of Dictatorship : Dictatorship is the rule of one person or a group of persons who is not responsible and answerable to anyone.

Characteristics of Dictatorship : (i) Based on physical force, (ii) Arbitrary rule, (iii) Absolute power, (iv) Faith in violence, (v) No rights, (vi) Control over means of communication, (vii) Tenure of the office of a dictator is not fixed etc.

Merits of Dictatorship : (i) Strong administration, (ii) Useful in emergency, (iii) Progress, (iv) National Solidarity, (u) Less expensive etc. Demertis of Dictatorship: (i) Despotic government, (ii) No importance to the individual, (iii) No individual liberty to the people, (iv) Problem of successor of the Dictator, (v) War is natural etc.

Democracy and Dictatorship : The main distinction between the democracy and dictatorship is that democracy is a way of life whereas dictatorship is imposed form of administration.

(a) Country A : People who do not accept the country’s official religion, in 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 : Ruling party has lost in the last three elections.

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

(b) Not sure

(c) Undemocratic

(d) Undemocratic.

(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) Undemocratic

(b) Democratic

(c) Undemocratic

(d) Undemocratic.

Ans.— (d) Democracies are more prosperous than others is not a good argument in favour of a democracy. For example democracy exists in India. But majority people are very poor, whereas non-democratic countries like China and Mexico are more prosperous.

Democratic Element	Undemocratic Element
A minister said that some laws have to be passed by the parliament.	In order to conform to the regulation decided by the world trade organisation.
The Election Commission ordered re-polling in a constituency	Where large scale rigging was reported.
Women’s organisation demand one-third seats for women.	Women’s representation in the parliament has never reached 10 per cent.

(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).

(a) Filling 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).

(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) Rule of army is against the principles of democracy. In a democracy elected representatives of the people should be the ruler. Army rule means dictatorship.

(b) Rule of the wise appears to be good but not democratic. Let wise people contest election and become the ruler of the country. Rule of the majority is the basic principle of democracy.

(c) Country should not be ruled by religious leaders. The democratic state should be secular state. Religion and politics should be independent of each other. Only elected representatives should be the ruler of the country.

(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) It is not in accordance with democratic principles. Democratic values demand that father should not impose his will on the children. Daughter should be consulted.

(b) This statement is against the democratic values. It is the duty of the teacher to clear the doubts of the students.

(c) This statement is based on democratic value. Working hours should be according to the law. In a democratic country rule of law is a basic principle of democracy.

(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 per cent 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) Democratic. Where citizens have the right to vote and elections are held regularly, it is democracy. But elections should be free and fair. In India democracy exists because elections are held free and fair.

(b) Undemocratic. It is the basic duty of the democratic government to provide education and health to all the citizens.

(c) It is not democratic. In a democracy education should be given in a language spoken by the students.

(d) It is not democratic. People have a right to protest against the policies of the government. Peaceful demonstrations and nation wide strikes are democratic method of protest.

(e) It is undemocratic. For democracy it is essential that radio and Television should be autonomous.

● If an average Black family earns $ 100 then the income of average is family has twelve times the average Black Family.

● In a President’s election nearly nine out of 10 individuals in families with income over $75,000 have voted. These people are 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 the bottom 20% of the population in terms of their income.

● About 95% contribution to the political parties comes from the rich. This gives them opportunity to express their opinion and concern, 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 povery, getting job, education, health care and housing from them. Politicians hear most regularly about the concerns of business and the most rich.

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

Ans.— No doubt in Indian democracy ultimate power is vested with the masses, But majority of the people in India are poor. Harijans, people of depressed classes and tribal people have been exploited for centuries by the well-to-do sections of the society. Affluent people keep on acquiring more and more wealth and property, while the poor continue to get poorer. Poverty is the root cause of various evils, The poor citizen cannot develop physically and mentally as he can’t get a square meal a day. He remains worried about earning his livelihood and has not time to think over the problems facing the country. The poor person does not even think about the elections. He can’t even use his right to vote independently. He can’t cast his vote against his employer. During elections the rich distribute blankets, cycles, sewing machines and other things among the poor so that they may get the votes of the poor. The poor person sells his vote even. The political parties too, take money from the capitalists and that is why the rich control the government.

Every political party tries to take political advantage of the people’s poverty. The poor are bluffed with the slogan that there would be no poverty or everybody would be given a home, clothes and food etc. Cheated by these cheap slogans, the poor people give their votes. The Congress (I) won 1971 elections by raising the slogan ‘Garibi Hatao’. The people have lost faith in the government owing to poverty. Poverty has also made the people disinterested in government. Thus, the poor are losing faith in democracy. Poverty is responsible to a great extent for violent movements. Therefore, the economic condition of the people should be improved to brighten the future of democracy in India.

(i) Demos and Kratos

(ii) Casta

(iii) Famulus

(iv) Pocta.

Ans.— (i) Demos and Kratos.

(i) A.B. Hal

(ii) Abraham Lincoln

(iii) Aristotle

(iv) Herodotus.

Ans.— (ii) Abraham Lincoln.

(i) Equality

(ii) Liberty

(iii) Fraternity

(iv) All of these.

Ans.— (iv) All of these.

(i) People

(ii) Educated people

(iii) Aristocratic people

(iv) King.

Ans.— (i) People.

(i) Distinctions on the basis of caste, colour and creed

(ii) Lack of education

(iii) Communalism

(iv) All the above.

Ans.—  (iv) All the above.

(i) all the citizens participate in administration.

(ii) all the citizens directly take part in administration.

(iii) all the citizens indirectly participate in administration.

(iv) the representatives of the public run the administration.

Ans.— (ii) all the citizens directly take part in administration.

(i) People themselves run the administration.

(ii) The representatives elected by the people run the administration.

(iii) Every citizen takes part in making laws.

(iv) The power of administration is rested with the scheduled castes.

Ans.— (ii) The representatives elected by the people run the administration.

(i) The Congress Party

(ii) The Communist Party

(iii) The Bath Party

(iv) The Labour Party.

Ans.— (iii) The Bath Party.

(i) The President gets unlimited powers.

(ii) It looks into the welfare of the general public.

(iii) Even the uneducated people get a share in administration.

(iv) Only those persons are elected representatives who are well experienced in the art of administration.

Ans.— (ii) It looks into the welfare of the general public.

(i) Citizens should be educated

(ii) There should be economic equality in society.

(iii) There should be no distinction on the basics caste, colour and creed.

(iv) All the above.

Ans.— (iv) All the above.

(i) Spread of education

(ii) Control on press

(iii) Control on judiciary

(iv) Development of the feeling of provincialism.

Ans.— (i) Spread of education.

1……………… is the principle of Democracy.

2. In U.S.A. there is ……… party system.

3. Democracy is a combination of the …………. words-Demos and Kratos.

Ans.— 1. Equality, 2. Bi, 3. Greek,

1. Direct Democracy exists in India.

2. Indirect Democracy exists in India, ooh novily offels (3)

3. Political Parties is a method of Direct Democracy.

4. Poverty is a hindrance in the path of Democracy.

Ans.— 1. ×, 2. √, 3. × 4. √.

Ans.— The term ‘Democracy’ is derived from the Greek words-Demos and Kratos.

Ans.— The meaning of democracy is ‘power of the people’ or ‘rule of the multitude’.

Ans.— According to Abraham Lincoln, “Democracy is a government of the people, by the people and for the people.”

Ans.— Sovereignty resides in the people and the administration is run in accordance with the wishes of the people.

Ans.— In Direct Democracy, the people directly participate in the government of the country.

Ans.— In Indirect Democracy, the administration is run by the people’s representatives.

Ans.— Democracy is based on the principle of equality.

Ans.— Democratic government is a government by the incompetent and the ignorant.

Ans.— Enlightened citizenship is the first condition for the success of democracy.

Ans.— Terms that are often used to describe non-democratic government are authoritarian, dictatorship and totalitarian.

Ans.— India and U.S.A.

Ans.— (i) Military dictatorship (ii) Party dictatorship (iii) Benevolent dictatorship (iv) Charismatic dictatorship.

Ans.— Dictatorship is a Government by the powerful man who has right to exercise authority because of his superior physical force.

Ans.— The administration under a dictator is always very strong.

Ans.— Individuals are not granted civil liberties and other rights in dictatorship.

Ans.— There are four types of direct democratic devices i.e. Initiative, Referendum, Recall, Plebiscite.

Ans.— Initiative means, the power of the voters to get the laws passed in accordance with their wishes.

Ans.— The method of referendum gives the final authority to the people to accept or reject the laws passed by the legislature.

Ans.— Switzerland.

Ans.— It is not possible for the voters of parliamentary constituency to assemble at one place and have meaningful dialogue.

Ans.— Representative type of democracy.

Ans.— The aim of true democracy is to remove poverty and unemployment.

Ans.— The term Democracy’ has been derived from the Greek words-Demos and Kratos, the former meaning ‘the people’ and latter ‘Power’. Democracy thus means ‘power of the people’ or ‘rule of the multitude.’ Democracy means that the Government of the state is to be run by the people. In democracy the sovereignty resides in the people and the people either directly or indirectly govern over themselves.

Ans.— (i) According to Dicey, “Democracy is a government in which the governing body is comparatively a large fraction of entire nation.”

(ii) According to Seeley, “Democracy is a government in which everyone has a share.”

(iii) According to Abraham Lincoln, “Democracy is a government of the people, by the people and for the people.”

Ans.— 1. Sovereignty of People. Sovereignty resides in the people and the administration is run in accordance with the wishes of the people.

2. Rule of People. The administration is run by the people either directly or indirectly.

Ans.— Direct Democracy is the real or true democracy. In this system there is no difference between the rulers and ruled. In such a system of government the people directly participate in the government of the country. The entire population forms an assembly for the purpose of making laws. People discuss the problems of the state and control the state machinary. But it is not possible to practise direct democracy completely in the present age. Modern devices of direct democracy are Initiative, Referendum, Recall and Plebiscite.

Q. 5. What do you understand by Indirect Democracy ?

Ans.— Indirect democracy is also called as representative democracy. In this type of democracy the administration is run by the people’s representatives. These representatives are elected by the people on adult franchise basis for a fixed period and after the expiry of their term, fresh elections are held. This system prevails in almost all the countries of the world today.

Ans.— (i) Democratic government is a government by the incompetent and the ignorant. Common man is neither politically intelligent nor sufficiently educated.

(ii) It gives more importance to quantity rather than quality.

(iii) Democratic government is wasteful and expensive. (iv) Democratic government in reality is a government of the rich.

Ans.— 1. It is based on equality : Democracy is based on the principle of equality. It ensures equal political rights without any discrimination. All men possess equal opportunities to participate in the affairs of Government,

2. It is based on public opinion : Democracy is the only form of grement, which is more popular because it is based on the puble option. Policies and programmes are formulated according to public opinion.

Ans.— (i) Enlightened Citizenship is the first condition for the success A democracy.

(ii) Economic and social equality is essential for the success of democracy.

(iii) Spirit of toleration in the people is the most essential for the muccess of democracy.

(iv) Freedom of Press is very essential for the success of democracy.

Ans.— 1. Based on Physical Strength : Dictatorship is a Government by the powerful man who had right to exercise authority because of his superior physical force.

2. Arbitrary Rule : Dictatorship is an arbitrary rule. The dictator runs the government according to his own sweet will and the other people have no right to participate in the government. The dictator is not responsible to any other authority for all his actions and policies.

Ans.— 1. Strong Administration : The administration under a dictator is always very strong. The dictator suppresses disorder and opposition with a strong hand and he gives his country a strong government which can perform its functions well.

2. Less Expensive : Dictatorship is less expensive whereas democratic government is very costly. In dictatorship one does not find the luxuries of insecure and superfluous posts.

Ans.— Democracy is of two types-Direct democracy and Indirect democracy. Following are the differences between the two :

(i) In direct democracy people participate in the government of the country, while in indirect democracy people indirectly participate in the government.

(ii) In direct democracy people directly participate in law-making, while in indirect democracy participation in law-making is indirect.

(iii) Selection of magistrates is directly in direct democracy, while in indirect democracy selection of magistrates is indirectly.

(iv) In direct democracy the institutions of initiative, referendum and recall exist, but no initiative and referendum in indirect democracy.

(v) Direct democracy is prevalent in Switzerland, while indirect democracy exists in India, U.K. U.S.A etc.

Ans.— 1. Despotic Government : A dictator is an absolute ruler of the state. The dictator is not responsible to anybody for his actions and policies. His will is law for the people. People cannot get justice at the hands of ruler.

2. No individual liberty to the people : Individuals are not granted civil liberties and other rights in dictatorship. The individuals cannot express their opinions freely and they are not permitted to criticise the wrongs of the government.

Ans.— There are four types of direct democratic devices i.e. Initiative, Referendum, Recall, Plebisite.

1. Initiative : This device gives power to the voters to get the laws passed in accordance with their wishes.

2. Referendum : The method of referendum gives the final authority to the people to accept or reject the laws passed by the legislature.

Ans.— The following rights are essentially guaranteed in democracy :

(i) Right to vote

(ii) Right to contest elections

(iii) Freedom of speech and expression

(iv) Freedom of press.

Ans.— (i) Democracy is the rule of the people while dictatorship is rule of one man or one party.

(ii) Democracy is based on public opinion, while dictatorship is based on force.

Ans.— 1. Illiteracy : Illiteracy is one of the major hindrance in the successful working of democracy.

2. Poverty : The other major hindrance in the successful working of Democracy in poverty.

3. Economic Inequality : Economic inequality is a great hindrance in the successful working of democracy.

4. Social Inequality : Social inequality is a big hindrance in the successful working of democracy.

Ans.— (i) Democracy recognises the Natural Rights of man in the street and raises him high on the peak of political.

(ii) Democracy gives liberty to all the citizens of democratic state.

(iii) Democracy is the rule of the people, by the people and for the people.

(iv) Democracy is based on public opinion.

Ans.— Democracy is based on the following democratic principles :

1. Sovereignty of the people : Sovereignty resides in the people and the administration is run in accordance with the wishes of the people.

2. Rule of people : The administration is run by the people either directly or indirectly.

3. Rulers are Elected : Rulers are elected by the people. Final decision making power must rest with those elected by the people.

4. Free and Fair Election: Democracy must be based on a free and fair election. The ruling party should have a fair chance of defeat.

5. Adult Franchise : In a democracy, each adult citizen must have one vote and each vote must have one value.

6. Interest of People : The administration is run in the best interests of the people.

7. Rule of Law : Democracy is based on rule of law. Law is supreme. No body is above the law.

8. Equality : Equality is a basic principle of democracy. Everybody enjoys the right of equality and liberty.

9. Fundamental Rights : In a democracy citizens enjoy fundamental rights which are protected by the Judiciary.

Ans.— Following are the main merits of democracy :

1. Government of the People : Democracy ensures people’s participation in government. Democracy is a government by the people.

2. Equality : Democracy ensures the equality of political rights. Everybody has the opportunity to progress in life.

3. Liberty : People enjoy freedom of speach and expression, freedom of movements, freedom of religion, freedom to hold meetings and to criticise the policies and actions of the government.

4. Based on Public Opinion : Democracy rests on the consent of the people. The people feel that the laws in democratic governments are self-made and selfenforces.

5. Stable and Responsible government : A democratic government is more stable and responsible. It avoids revolution because the people themselves are the makers and the breakers of laws governments. If the people indicate a lack of confidence over the government the government will have to resign.

6. No possibility of Revolutions : People can change the government whenever they so desire. Therefore, the democratic government changes with the change in time.

7. Political Education : Democratic government gives political education to the people. The entire procedure of elections gives the people political education,

8. National Unity and Patriotism : The democratic form of government increases the spirit of nation unity and patriotism in the people.

Ans.—  Democracy is not without defects and weaknesses. Ahead are the arguments which are given against democracy :

1. Government of the Ignorants and Incompetents : It is said that democratic government is a government by the incompetent and the ignorant. The common man is neither politically intelligent nor sufficiently educated.

2. More importance to quantity : Democracy gives more importance to quantity rather than to quality. All persons are not capable of taking part in government of the country. On polling day a wise man and a fool are on the same level.

3. Government of the Rich : In theory democracy is a government by the common man but actually is a government by the rich. The candidates spend lakhs of rupees to win an election. The poor man cannot afford to spend this ` much amount on elections and hence his right to contest elections become meaningless.

4. Instability : Leaders keep changing in a democracy and this lead to instability.

5. Corruption : Democracy leads to corruption because it is based on electoral competition.

6. Dictatorship of the Majority : The majority party may develop despotic tendencies which are harmful to the developments of human personality.

7. Interest of the People not safeguarded : Even elected leaders of the people do not know the best interest of the people.

Ans.— In order that democracy may work successfully in any state, there are certain conditions which must be satisfied.

1. Enlightened citizenship : The citizens should remain alert and protect their rights. They should perform their duties in a sincere manner.

2. Education : Citizens should be educated. It is only the educated electorates that will elect the right type of persons to government.

3. Local self-government : It is quite essential for the success of democracy that the administration should be decentralized one.

4. Protection of Fundamental Rights : In a democratic state people should be given fundamental rights and their rights should be protected by the constitution.

5. Economic Equality and Security : Economic equality and security is also essential condition for the success of democracy. There should not be too much gulf between the rich and the poor.

6. Social Equality : No discrimination should be made on the basis of caste, colour, race, sex, religion etc.

7. High Moral character : A high moral character of the people is very essential for the success of democracy.

8. Free and Fair Election : For the success of democracy elections should he held free and fair.

9. Freedom of Press : Democracy cannot flourish best without the freedom of press.

Ans.— Modern age is an age of democracy. No doubt democracy is the best form of government. Democracy is better than any other form of government due to following reasons :

1. Needs of the people : Democracy is the best type of government because it fulfils the needs of the people. In a democracy rulers have to attend the needs of the people.

2. Responsible government : A democratic government is a better government because it is a more accountable form of government. The democratic government for all its action’s and policies are responsible to the people.

3. Consultation and discussion : Democracy is better because it is based consultation and on discussion.

4. No Possibility of revolutions : Democracy is better than other forms of government because there is no possibility of revolution.

5. Willing obedience of laws : The people very willingly obey the laws of the state.

6. Quality of decisions : Democracy is better than other forms of governments because it improves the quality of decision making.

7. Solution of problems : Democracy is the best type of government as it provides a method to deal with differences and conflicts.

8. Dignity of citizens : Democracy is better than other forms of government because it enhances the dignity of citizens.

9. Review its own decisions : It is better form of government because it allows us to correct its own mistakes.

10. Less chances of war : It is better because it reduces the chances of war.