CBSE and NCERT Solution

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. Option ‘d’ is not a valid reason for arguing that there is a lesser possibility of famine in a democratic country. This is because practising a religion has nothing to do with preventing famine.

Each of these statements contains a democratic and an 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. (b) The Election Commission ordered re-polling in a constituency where large scale rigging was reported.  (c) Women’s representation in the parliament has never reached 10 per cent. This led women’ organisations to demand one-third scats for women. Ans. (a) A minister said that some laws have to be passed by the parliament - Democratic Element. To the regulations decided by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) - Undemocratic element. (b) The election Commission ordered a re-polling in a constituency - Democratic clement. Large - scale rigging was reported - Undemocratic element. (c) Women’s representation in the parliament has barely reached 10 per cent - Undemocratic element. This led women’s organisations...

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 o f 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 language but education is available only in one language, the language spoken by 52 percent 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) This is democracy as only democratic set-up allows right to vote and ensure that el...

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. (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) The statement of father is undemocratic as every adult has right to choose their life partner. The father does not have the right to impose their choice on daughter. b) This statement is undemocratic as the students have the right to ask questions. c) This statement is democratic as it calls for the rule of law.

Write a response to the following arguments against democracy : (a) Army is the most disciplined and corruption-free organization in the country. Therefore army should rule the county. (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 matter, why not invite them to guide us in politics as well. The country should be ruled by religious leaders. Ans. A democracy is the government formed by people’s representatives which arc elected in a free and fair election. The Army is integral in protecting the country but it is not elected by the people, hence it cannot form a democratic government. The second statement is not true as all people are intelligent to some extent. The third statement is not true as bringing religion into politics can cause serious conflict.

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 need. Which of these is not a democratic method ? (a) Filing 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. Option ‘d’ which advocates paying the government officials money, is an undemocratic method.

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. Option D Democracies are more prosperous than others is not a good argument in favour of democracy as there are many countries such as India and Sri Lanka which opted for democracy but are not prosperous whereas countries such as Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and China which have monarchy and Communist rule respectively are comparatively more prosperous. The prosperity of any countiy depends on the correct policies of government and not on the form of government.

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 abou 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 arc taken by officials of the central bank which the ministers cannot change. Ans. a) Undemocratic b) Democratic c) Undemocratic d) Undemocratic

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. 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. Ans. a) Undemocratic b) Undemocratic c) Democratic d) Undemocratic