CBSE and NCERT Solution

How can principles of democracy be applied to all spheres of life? Ans. (i) The word democracy in its basic sense is a method of taking decisions. A democratic decision involves consultation and the consent of all those who are affected by that decision. (ii) Every individual irrespective of his wealth, status and power has the same right in decision-making. This can equally apply to a government, a family or any other organisation. (iii) Thus principles of democracy can be applied to any sphere of life.

Distinguish between democratic and non-democratic elections. Ans. Democratic elections Non-democratic elections (a) Under democratic elections, all citizens have one vote with equal value. (b) Elections are held at regular intervals. (c) Free and fair elections are conducted. (a) Under this, all citizens are not given right to vote. (b) Elections are not held at regular intervals. (c) Free and fair elections are not conducted.

In the countries that we call democracy, all the people do not rule then how may it be called democracy?  Ans. A majority is allowed to take decisions on behalf of all the people. Even the majority does not rule directly. The majority of people rule through their elected representatives. This become necessary because: (i) Modern democracies involve such a large number of people that it is physically impossible for them to sit together and take a collective decision. (ii) Even if they could, the citizen does not have the time, the desire or the skills to take part in all the decisions.

What is the most common feature of democracy in today’s world and why ? Ans. The common feature of democracy in today’s world is a “representative democracy”. This is because modern democracy involve large number of people and it is practically impossible for them to sit together and taken collective decisions.

What do you understand by representative democracy? Why is it a more practised form in today’s world?  OR  Explain the meaning of representative democracy. How is it significant in the contemporary world? Ans. (i) Representative democracy is a form of government founded on the principle of elected individuals representing the people, as opposed to autocracy and direct democracy. (ii) The representatives form an independent ruling body charged with the responsibility of acting in the people’s interest. Representative democracy usually has a Parliament. (iii) The members of Parliament are elected through universal adult franchise. This democracy enhances the dignity of citizens. For these reasons, it is the most practised form of democracy.

Why is democracy considered the best form of government? Ans. Democracy is clearly better than any other possible alternatives. (i) It offers better chances of a good decision, it respect people’s own wishes and allows different kinds of people to live together. (ii) Even when it fails to do some of the things, it allows a way of correcting its mistakes and offers more dignity to all citizens.

‘Democracy is better than any other form of government, because it allows to correct its own mistakes.’ Justify the statement with the help of three examples. OR  Democracy is better than other forms of government because it allows us to correct our own mistakes. Discuss. Ans. (i) Democracy always offers scope for correction, which is impossible in any other form of government. No form of government is free from mistakes. Democracy also involves many mistakes. But the good thing is that it allows us to correct our own mistakes. (ii) The advantage of democracy is that, if there is any mistake, it cannot remain hidden for long. Sooner or later the public comes to know about it. There is always scope for public discussion on these mistakes. And there is a room for correction. (iii) Correction of mistakes makes either the rulers to change their decision or the rulers themselves can be changed through election. This cannot happen in a non-democratic government.

How does democracy improve the quality of decision-making? Ans. (i) Democracy is based on consultation and discussion. A democratic decision always involves many persons, discussions and meetings. (ii) Those who are not powerful have the same say in taking the decisions as those who are powerful. When many people put their heads together, they are able to point out possible mistakes or drawbacks in any decision. (iii) This process may be time-consuming, but it reduces the chances of rash or irresponsible decisions. (iv) Thus, the lengthy process of taking decisions on any important issue in democracy improves the quality of the decision.

Mention four demerits of democracy. Ans. (i) Leaders keep changing in a democracy. This leads to instability. For e.g., India, where the rulers change every five years. (ii) Democracy is all about political competition and power play. There is no scope for morality. (iii) A number of people have to be consulted before taking a decision which leads to delays in decision making process. (iv) It leads to corruption as it is based on electoral competition.

Why is Zimbabwe not considered as a democratic country? Ans. (i) In Zimbabwe, elections are always won by ZANU - PF which uses unfair means to remain in power. (ii) The opposition party workers arc harassed and their meetings disrupted. (iii) The mass media is controlled by the government and is censored. Criticism of government’s actions is not allowed. (iv) Freedom of speech and expression is restricted and dissent is not tolerated.

State the freedoms which are usually taken away when democracy is overthrown by a military regime. Ans. The freedoms usually taken away by a military regime arc : (i) There will be no freedom of expression and speech. (ii) In a non- democratic government, the rulers do not have to act according to the wishes of the people. The needs of the people can be ignored by the military ruler. (iii) In democracy, no one is a permanent loser or winner. But in a military regime, the same ruler or ruling party can rule the country for a very long time. (iv) In a military regime, there is no freedom to form political associations or organise protests and political action. In reality, political freedom of the citizen is completely denied in a military regime.

How did General Musharraf amend/change the constitution of Pakistan by passing the “Legal Framework Order” ? Ans. By passing the “Legal Framework Order" the President had powers to (i) Dismiss the National/ Provincial Assemblies. (ii) The work of the civilian cabinet was to be supervised by the National Security Council dominated by military officers.

State the basic features of a Democracy. Ans. Basic features of democracy are : (i) In a democracy, the rulers are elected by the people who take all the major decisions. (ii) Elections offer the people a choice and a fair opportunity to change their rulers. (iii) The right of vote is available to all irrespective of caste, creed, sex or race. (Universal Adult Franchise) (iv) The government rules, within limits set by constitutional law and citizen’s rights.

What distinguishes democracy from other forms of government ? Ans. (i) Democracy unlike any forms of government requires all its citizens to take part in political process. (ii) In democracy the fate of the country depends not on just what the rulers do but also on the actions of the citizens.

What are some of the problems that pastoralists face in the modern world ? How have these groups adapted to the new times. Ans. (i) New laws and new borders have affected the patterns of the pastoralists movement. (ii) Now they find it difficult to move in search of pastures. As pasture lands have shrunk, grazing has become a problem. (iii) They have adapted to new times by changing the paths o f their annual movement and reducing their cattle in their hands. They have also demanded rights in management of forests and water resources.

How did the Maasai’s chiefs appointed by the British benefit economically? Ans. (i) The chiefs gradually became wealthy as they now had a regular income with which they could buy animals, goods and land. (ii) They lent money to poor neighbours and many became traders. (iii) They managed to survive adverse conditions like war and drought. (iv) They had a secure income and could buy animals when their stock was depleted.

Why did the cattle stock of the Maasai’s decrease under colonial rule? Ans. (i) Initially when droughts occurred, cattle were moved to areas where forage was available. (ii) But now Maasai’s were bound down to a fixed area, confined within a reserve and prohibited from moving in search of pastures. They were cut off from the best grazing lands and forced to live within a semi-arid tract, prone to frequent droughts. (iii) Since they could not shift their cattle to secure adequate forage, Maasai cattle died in large numbers due to starvation and disease. (iv) In 1933 and 1934, years of severe drought, over half the cattle in the Maasai Reserve died. As the area of grazing lands shrank, droughts increased and led to a steady decline of the animal stock.

The colonial government imposed restrictions on the African pastoralists ? Explain. Ans. The following restrictions were imposed by the colonial government : (i) African pastoral groups were forced to live in special reserves. They were not allowed to move their stock without special permits. These permits were not easy to get. Those who defied rules were severally punished. (ii) Pastoralists were not allowed to enter white markets and areas. Certain areas were out of their trading ambit. (iii) Pastoralists were viewed by Europeans as being savage and dangerous. Europeans tried to avoid contact, but this was not possible as colonists depended on black labour to bore mines, build roads and towns.

‘In Maasailand, as elsewhere in Africa, not all pastoralists were equally affected by the changes in the colonial period.’ Explain. Ans. (i) In Maasailand, as elsewhere in Africa, not all pastoralists were equally affected by the changes in the colonial period. In pre-colonal times, Maasai society was divided into elders and warriors. (ii) To administer the affairs of Maasai, the British appointed chiefs who were made responsible for the affairs of the people. These chiefs often accumulated wealth with which they could buy animals, goods and land. (iii) They lent money to poor neighbors who needed to pay taxes. Many of them began living in cities and became involved in trade. Their wives and children stayed back in villages to look after animals. These chiefs managed to survive the devastation of war and drought. They had both pastoral and non-pastoral income. But the poor pastoralists who depended only on their livestock did not have resources to tide over bad times. In times of war a...

Into which two categories was Maasai society divided? Ans. Maasai society was divided into two social categories : elders and warriors. (ii) The elders were the rulers who periodically met to decide on community affairs. (iii) The warriors were the younger people who were responsible for the protection of the tribe and organized cattle raids.