What is Democracy? Why Democracy?

Chapter-1 

Exercises

1. here is Some information about four counties. Based on this information, how would you classify each of these counties. 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.

Ans- 

a. Country A: Undemocratic

b. Country B: Not sure

c. Country C: Democratic

d. Country D: Undemocratic


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 of the Chief of Army.

Ans- Country P: Undemocratic


b. Country Q: The parliament cannot pass a law reducing the powers of the judiciary.

Ans-  Country Q: Democratic


c. Country R: The Country's leaders cannot sign any treaty with another country without taking permission from its neihbouring country.

Ans-  Country R: Undemocratic


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-  Country S: Undemocratic


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.

Ans- 

D.Sc. Democracies are more prosperous than others, not a good argument in favor of democracy. There are examples of countries being democratic but not as prosperous as other non-democratic countries. Democracy means that the citizens of a country are involved in the decision-making process and the election of leaders. It does not guarantee prosperity, as there are other factors such as geography, economic power, government policies, human resources, and mineral resources.


4. 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 (WTO).

Ans- 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. The Election Commission Ordered re-polling  gin a constituency where large-scale rigging was reported.

Ans- Democratic element – The Election Commission ordered re-polling in a constituency. Undemocratic element – Large-scale rigging was reported.

c. Women's representation in the parliament has barely reached 10 per cent. This led women's organisations to demand one-third seats for women.

Ans-  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. Free press can report suffering form 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. The comment that people are free to believe and practice any religion is not a valid reason to argue that a democratic country is less likely to experience famine.


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 need. Which of these id not a democratic method?


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. Paying government officials to get water is not a democratic practice.


7. Write a response to the following arguments against democracy:


a. Army is the most disciplined and corruption-free organisation in the country. Therefore army should  rule the country.

Ans- The army is a disciplined organisation. However, it is unfair if an army rules, as the army was not chosen by the citizens, and hence, it will be an undemocratic practice.


b. Rule of the majority means the rule of ignorant people. What we need id the rule of the wise, even if they are in small numbers.

Ans- The rule of the majority is not the rule of ignorant people. Wisdom is subjective, and the government is run by people who know law and order.


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- Religion and politics are two different things. While religion can guide someone towards religious affairs, it cannot guide anyone towards politics, which is an important segment of a nation.


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.

Ans- The statement does not keep with democracy as a value, as the daughter is not allowed to express her opinion.


b. Teacher to student: Don't disturb my concentration by asking me questions in the classroom.

Ans- The statement does not keep with democracy as a value, as students are not allowed to ask questions, which is their right.


c. Employee to the officer: our working hours must be reduced according to the law.

Ans- The statement keeps with democracy as law, as the employee voices their opinion for their right under the law.


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 right to vote. Elections are held regularly.

Ans- From this statement, we can understand that it is a democratic country where citizens are allowed to vote and choose their government.


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.

Ans- While borrowing from international organizations, the country is compromising the welfare of the people by reducing their spending on education and health, which is totally undemocratic.


c. People speak more than seven languages but education is available only in one languages , the languages spoken by 52 percent people of that country. 

Ans- The system of making education available in only one language is undemocratic. It is a fundamental right for people to receive an education, and it is the government’s duty to provide the language they know.


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.

Ans- The right to assemble and demonstrate peacefully is a fundamental right of an individual. Therefore, the arrest of the protesters is undemocratic.


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- When the government has radio and television, it deprives people of the right to a free press. It is undemocratic.


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.

Ans-


🟥 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 $ 15,00 have voted. They are the bottom 20% of the population in terms of their  income.

Ans-


🟥 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.

Ans-


🟥 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.

Ans-


Question Type By- Janmoni Hazarika


Post ID: DABP001896