1.Here is some information about the 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: The Ruling party has lost in the last three elections.
d.Country D: There is no independent election commission.
1.Here is some information about the 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: The Ruling party has lost in the last three elections.
d.Country D: There is no independent election commission.
Explanation:
a. Country A: Undemocratic, because everyone has the freedom to vote in a democracy. Democracy helps citizens to choose their leaders to run the government by free and fair elections. Democracy provides equal rights among citizens on the basis of caste, religion and sex. Democracy enhances the quality of decision-making and also improves the dignity of citizens.
b.Country B: Not sure. There are two possible outcomes in this case: (a) the winning party has been interfering with the electoral process and/or results, or (b) the winning party has been actively working to advance the country and enjoys popular support.
c.Country C: Democratic. It demonstrates that the current government is not an authoritarian one. In a democracy, the populace holds the government to account. If the populace in a democratic nation is dissatisfied with how the government is handling its duties, the government will undoubtedly lose the polls because the populace will choose to remove them from office. Therefore, Country C is unquestionably democracy.
d.Country D: Undemocratic. The nation is unquestionably not democratic if there is no independent electoral commission. The authority to enforce the code of behavior must lie with the Election Commission.If there is election rigging in any district, the Election Commission should have the authority to mandate re-voting. If there is a regulation violation, the election commission should have the authority to reprimand the political parties or candidates.
2. 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 about the army without the consent the Chief of the 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.
2. 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 about the army without the consent the Chief of the 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.
Explanation:
a) Country P: Undemocratic. The Chief of Army has the responsibility of guarding the boundaries against outside aggression. When passing laws pertaining to the Army, the government may consult with and solicit feedback from the army chief. In a democracy, the government has the final say, and the army chief has no authority to stop the parliament from passing legislation pertaining to the army.
b) Country Q: Democratic. Because it shows that the judiciary has been given authority by the constitution and, more significantly, it shows that the judiciary is autonomous, which is a crucial sign of democracy in a nation. All other Indian tribunals must follow the Supreme Court of India's ruling. Any conflict that develops between the State Governments and the Central Government may be brought before the Indian Supreme Court.
c) Country R: Undemocratic. For the reason the other nation encompasses the right to intervene and the chosen leader of the people will have the authority to carry out the treaty in a democracy.
d) Country S: Undemocratic. Since the Finance Ministry ought to have the ultimate say in making choices that affect the nation's economy. The Finance Ministry may receive. economic policy advice from the Central Bank, but in the end, the Finance Minister is a member of the Government, which is chosen by the people and answerable to them
3. 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.
3. 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.
Explanation:
D. The fact that democracies are wealthier than other nations is not a strong case in favour of democracy. There are instances of democratic nations that are not as wealthy as non-democratic nations. Democracy is a system of government in which the people are actively engaged in making decisions and choosing the government. As there are other variables, such as geography, economic capacity, governmental policies, human resources, mineral resources, etc., prosperity is not always guaranteed.
4.Each of these statements contains a democratic and 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 (WTO).
b) The Election Commission ordered re-polling in a constituency where large-scale rigging was reported.
c) Women’s representation in parliament has barely reached 10 per cent. This led women’s organisations to demand one-third of seats for women.
4.Each of these statements contains a democratic and 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 (WTO).
b) The Election Commission ordered re-polling in a constituency where large-scale rigging was reported.
c) Women’s representation in parliament has barely reached 10 per cent. This led women’s organisations to demand one-third of seats for women.
Explanation:
a) Democratic element – A minister said that some laws have to be passed by the parliament. Undemocratic element – Conform to the regulations decided by the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
b) Democratic element – The Election Commission ordered re-polling in a constituency. Undemocratic element – Large-scale rigging was reported.
c) Democratic element – Women’s organisations to demand one-third of seats for women. Undemocratic element – Women’s representation in parliament has barely reached 10 per cent.
5. 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) A free press can report suffering from famine in different parts of the country.
c) The government fears its defeat in the next elections.
d) People are free to believe in and practise any religion.
5. 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) A free press can report suffering from famine in different parts of the country.
c) The government fears its defeat in the next elections.
d) People are free to believe in and practise any religion.
Explanation:
People are free to believe in and practice any faith, but that does not make it true that a democratic nation has a lower likelihood of famine. China experienced the worst famine in recorded history between 1958 and 1961.Nearly three crore people perished as a result of this famine. India’s economic situation at the time was not superior to China’s. But there was no famine in India. The Indian Government responded to the issue of food scarcity in India, but the Chinese Government did not. The democracy that exists in India made this possible. It has been noted that no significant famine has occurred in a democratic, independent nation.
6. 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 needs. Which of these is not a democratic method?
a) Filing a case in the courts claiming that water is part of the right to life.
b) Boycotting the next elections to give a message to all parties.
c) Organising public meetings against the government’s policies.
d) Paying money to government officials to get water.
6. 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 needs. Which of these is not a democratic method?
a) Filing a case in the courts claiming that water is part of the right to life.
b) Boycotting the next elections to give a message to all parties.
c) Organising public meetings against the government’s policies.
d) Paying money to government officials to get water.
Explanation:
D. it is not a fair process to pay for water from the government. Making payments to the administration officials towards get drinking water is not a constitutional method, it has become case of bribery and plundering of the individuals by the authority legal, constitutional method for acquiring drinking the water for the community would be to uphold right to life by stating it before the judiciary of legislation or making administration know the issue by generating wide scale perception in the masses to create public view force and also by establishing collaborative actions during presidential elections to maintain the significance of the problem-solving by voting in accordance.
7. Write a response to the following arguments against democracy:
a) The army is the most disciplined and corruption-free organisation in the country. Therefore, the army should rule the country.
b) The 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.
7. Write a response to the following arguments against democracy:
a) The army is the most disciplined and corruption-free organisation in the country. Therefore, the army should rule the country.
b) The 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.
Explanation:
a) Although the army is the nation's most orderly and anti-corruption organization, it cannot be legitimate for them to be in power. The fact that they do not constitute a democracy administration, i.e., are not chosen by the people. Secondarily, because all of their basic liberties would be restricted, people would not be able to express their opinions. Additionally, there would be no guarantee that the army wouldn't at any time during its reign develop into a brutal dictator, making life for the populace difficult. For instance, General Augusto Pinochet's reign over Chile resulted in suffering for the populace.
b) Such an action would go against the Universal Adult Franchise principal, which states that everyone in our nation over the age of 18 is entitled to vote regardless of their socioeconomic status, faith, caste, or other characteristics. Everyone is entitled to an equitable say in how the government is formed. Therefore, it would be unjust to ignore some aspects of society. In addition, intelligent men are not always effective leaders.
c) Religious leaders shouldn't govern a nation because they are not chosen by the populace. Those who advocate for faith leaders to govern the nation are taking a big risk. Because integrating faith into governance in a nation with multiple religions can lead to significant interpersonal conflict Religious officials may also cause problems for the nation because of their shared ideological differences. In addition, many even lack administrative expertise. They must therefore operate their own religious organizations in order to avoid interfering with national politics.
8. 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.
8. 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.
Explanation:
a) The first claim is undemocratic because it prevents a female from expressing her view on her own marriage. The right of the people to choose their representatives is analogous to the right of the girls to pick or choose her spouse.
b) The pupil isn't permitted to talk or ask questions in the second remark, which is unfair. It is the responsibility of the instructor to instruct and respond to pupils' questions.
c) The third claim is egalitarian because it urges a cutback in working hours while still adhering to the law. Employees should have the legal right to set their own hours of employment.
9. 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 of the country have the right to vote. Elections are held regularly.
b) The country took loans from international agencies. One of the conditions for giving loans 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 of people in that country.
d) Several organisations have given a call for peaceful demonstrations and nationwide strikes in the country to oppose these policies. The 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 the government’s policies and protests.
9. 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 of the country have the right to vote. Elections are held regularly.
b) The country took loans from international agencies. One of the conditions for giving loans 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 of people in that country.
d) Several organisations have given a call for peaceful demonstrations and nationwide strikes in the country to oppose these policies. The 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 the government’s policies and protests.
Explanation:
a) Yes, there is no doubt that this nation is democratic.
i) Everyone should have one vote, and each ballot should be granted identical weight, according to the Universal Adult Franchise principle.
ii) No one's right to vote can be restricted without a compelling cause. For democracy, it is crucial.
iii) People differ from one another; some may be cruel or kind, ignorant or highly educated, impoverished or wealthy; but all are entitled to their own opinions and requirements because they are all human beings.
iv) All residents should be allowed to cast ballots because the outcome of elections will affect everyone.
v) All Indian residents over the age of 18 have the same rights, regardless of their gender, faith, or caste.
b) No, it is impossible to classify this nation as democracy.
i) Governments are chosen by the people who live in the nation, not by outside organizations.
ii) Governments are answerable to the people, and it is their top priority to improve people's lives through the health and education sectors.
iii) The nation is not democracy, no.
iv) Respect must be shown for the various dialects and cultural traditions. It is not acceptable to prioritize one tongue over the others.
c) Yes, political action is taken by the people, but not by the government.
i) The people have the right to freely gather and protest the government's policies. The government should not arrest the organizers of the protests if they are nonviolent and not violent, and if they are not interfering with public order. Instead, they should be invited to negotiate a solution.
d)This nation is not democracy, no.
i) Press independence should be allowed. Censorship is not permitted because it violates the right to free speech and opinion.
ii)Information should be accessible to the public and should be released by the press without prior approval from the government.
10.In 2004 a report published in USA pointed to the increasing inequalities in that country. Inequalities in income reflected in the participation of people in democracy. It also shaped their abilities to influence the decisions taken by the government. The report highlighted that: < If an average Black family earns $ 100 then the income of average White family is $ 162. A White family has twelve times more wealth than the average Black family. < In a President’s election ‘nearly 9 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 opinions and concerns, 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 poverty, getting job, education, health care and housing for them. Politicians hear most regularly about the concerns of business persons and the rich. Write an essay on ‘Democracy and Poverty’ using the information given in this report but using examples from India.
10.In 2004 a report published in USA pointed to the increasing inequalities in that country. Inequalities in income reflected in the participation of people in democracy. It also shaped their abilities to influence the decisions taken by the government. The report highlighted that: < If an average Black family earns $ 100 then the income of average White family is $ 162. A White family has twelve times more wealth than the average Black family. < In a President’s election ‘nearly 9 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 opinions and concerns, 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 poverty, getting job, education, health care and housing for them. Politicians hear most regularly about the concerns of business persons and the rich. Write an essay on ‘Democracy and Poverty’ using the information given in this report but using examples from India.
Explanation:
It cannot be denied that poverty has a profound and direct effect on a society. The wealthy class of society controls modern democracy as a type of administration. The media is under the influence of the wealthy, who also profit from it. Rich people's influence over governance is evident in nations like India, the United States, and England. Elections in India are only open to wealthy people. The poor are frequently purchased and traded. Election campaigns against the wealthy are impossible for the impoverished. As a consequence, when the government makes choices about policies, the wealthy have a say in them. The interests of the business elite and wealthy segments of society are highly valued by the government that was created by the various lawmakers. Poor people's concerns, such as those related to education, jobs, healthcare, housing issues, etc., are ignored as a result of their lower participation in our Parliamentary democracy. Like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, our government has implemented numerous welfare programs. (MGNREGA). The Indira Awaas Yajona (IAY), Swarna Jayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY), etc. Their execution, however, falls far short of expectations. Similar to the USA and India, various political groups give more weight to the issues that are important to the wealthy, who provide the majority of their funding.
Also Read: Chapter 2: Constitutional Design Question Answer
