CBSE and NCERT Solution

‘Rulers and the ruled, both are responsible for making an ideal democracy.’ Justify by giving suitable reasons. Ans. Yes, the citizens of a country can turn a simple democracy into a good democracy. This can be achieved by : (i) Many flaws in politicians like causing polarisation to come to power, resorting to money and muscle power to win elections, exploiting social divisions based on caste religion etc, can be controlled by giving more power to the people and encouraging them to play a proactive role. (ii) Encourage people to question the government and strive good governance. (iii) Encourage participation at the grassroot level, making democracy more inclusive and participative. (iv) People must promote greater transparency and accountability in the system of governance. (v) Use the Right to Information effectively to keep away corruption in politics and the government.

What are the various shortcomings of democracy? Ans. The shortcomings of democracy are as under : (i) Money plays a great role in a democracy. It tends to pervert both the legislator and the administrator. (ii) Matters arc not discussed dispassionately. Partisan political passions may defeat the interests of the nation at large. (iii) The critics assert that democracy attaches undue importance to the doctrine of equality. Ignorant voters hardly know the issues at stake. Voting rights should be denied to the masses who are ignorant about social or political matters. (iv) It is a very expensive form of government. The legislative processes involve much debate and discussion. As such the governments cannot function efficiently and promptly. (v) There is a tendency to patronize such persons who also as have a criminal record.

State the merits of democracy. Ans. Merits of democracy: (i) A democratic government is a better government because it is a more accountable form of government. (ii) Democracy improves the quality of decision-making. (iii) Democracy provides a method to deal with differences and conflicts. (iv) Democracy enhances the dignity of citizens. (v) Democracy is better than other forms of government because it allows us to correct its own mistakes. (vi) Democracy is considered the best form of government.

State the demerits of democracy.  OR  Is it correct that democracy leads to corruption? It yes, mention other defects of democracy. Ans. Arguments against the democracy: (i) Leaders keep changing in a democracy. This leads to instability. (ii) Democracy is all about political competition and power play. There is no scope for morality. (iii) So many people have to be consulted in a democracy that it leads to delays. (iv) Elected leaders do no know the best interest of the people. It leads to bad decisions. (v) Democracy leads to corruption for it is based on electoral competition. (vi) Ordinary people do not know what is good for them; they should not decide anything.

State the drawbacks of the political conditions in Zimbabwe? Can we truly say that the conditions as democratic ? Ans. The drawbacks of the political conditions is democracy are, (i) Though elections are held in Zimbabwe, it is not fair and free. (ii) People do not have a proper say in the decision making process. (iii) Popular leaders are undemocratic and unpopular. (iv) There is no effective opposition party. (v) The freedom of press is curtailed and is controlled by the government. (vi) Political leaders or journalist who go against the government are harassed. (vii) The government is indifferent towards the decisions taken by the sup

State the political condition of Zimbabwe since its independence from 1980? Ans. (i) Zimbabwe attained independence from White minority rule in 1980. (ii) Since then the country has been ruled by ZANU-PF, the party that led the freedom struggle. Its leader, Robert Mugabe, has been ruling the countiy since independence. (iii) Elections have been held regularly and always won by ZANU-PF. President Mugabe is popular but also uses unfair practices in elections. (iv) Over the years his government has changed the constitution several times to increase the powers of the President and make him less accountable. (v) Opposition party workers are harassed and their meeting disrupted. (vi) Public protests and demonstrations against the government arc declared illegal. (vii) There is a law that limits the right to criticise the President. Television and radio are controlled by the government and give only the ruling party’s version. (viii) There are independent newspapers but the government harasse...

State the political condition of Mexico? Ans. (i) Mexico gained independence in the year 1930. After Independence Mexico holds elections after every six years to elect its President. The country has never been under a military or dictator’s rule. (ii) But until 2000 every election was won by a party called PRI (Institutional Revolutionary Party). Opposition parties did contest elections, but never managed to win. (iii) The PRI was known to use many dirty tricks to win elections. All those who were employed in government offices had to attend its party meetings. Teachers of government schools used to force parents to vote for the PRI. (iv) Media largely ignored the activities of opposition political parties except to criticise them. (v) Sometimes the polling booths were shifted from one place to another in the last minute, which made it difficult for people to cast their votes. (vi) The PRI spent a large sum of money in the campaign for its candidates. None of the democractic features e...

State the political condition of China. Ans. No, the condition is far from democratic as the essential features of democracy are missing : (i) In China, elections are regularly held after every five years for electing the country’s parliament, called Quanguo Renmin Daibiao Dahui (National People’s Congress). (ii) The National People’s Congress has the power to appoint the President of the country. (iii) It has nearly 3,000 members elected from all over China. Some members are elected by the army. (iv) Before contesting elections, a candidate needs the approval of the Chinese Communist Party. (v) Only those who are members of the Chinese Communist Party or eight smaller parties allied to it were allowed to contest elections held in 2002-03. The government is always formed by the Communist Party.

State the political conditions of Pakistan ? Ans. (i) In Pakistan, General Pervez Musharraf led a military coup in October 1999. (ii) He overthrew a democratically elected government and declared himself the ‘Chief Executive’ of the country. (iii) Later he changed his designation to President and in 2002 held a referendum in the country that granted him a five-year extension. (iv) Pakistani media, human right organisations and democracy activists said that the referendum was based on malpractices and fraud. In August 2002 he issued a *Legal Framework Order’ that amended the constitution of Pakistan. (v) According to this Order, the President can dismiss the national or provincial assemblies. The work of the civilian cabinet is supervised by a National Security Council which is dominated by military officers. (vi) After passing this law, elections were held to the national and state assemblies. So Pakistan has had elections, elected representatives have some powers. But the final power ...

Why is democracy considered the best form of government ? Ans. (i) Democracy is the best form of government as the rulers arc accountable to the people and have to fulfill their needs - “Collective responsibility” (ii) Democracy is based on consultation and discussion. This reduces the chance of hasty and irresponsible decisions from being taken and improves the quality of decision making “Collective decision making.” (iii) It provides a method to deal with differences and conflicts especially in a diverse country like India. (iv) Infact democracy helps to keep our country together in peace and harmony - “Unity in diversity”. (v) Democracy enhances the dignity of citizens as it is based on the principle of political equality “Right to equality”.

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.