Chapter 1: What is Democracy? Why Democracy? - NCERT Solutions
Exercise
Q1. 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.
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.
Answer - a. Undemocratic
b. Not sure
c. Democratic
d. Undemocratic
b. Not sure
c. Democratic
d. Undemocratic
Q2. 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.
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.
a. Country P: The parliament cannot pass a law about 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 are taken by officials of the central bank which the ministers cannot change.
Answer - a. Undemocratic
b. Democratic
c. Undemocratic
d. Undemocratic
b. Democratic
c. Undemocratic
d. Undemocratic
Q3. 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.
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.
Answer - Option d is not a good argument. While some democracies are prosperous, economic prosperity depends on many factors such as natural resources, policies, and global position, not just the form of government.
Q4. 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).
b. The Election Commission ordered re-polling in a constituency where 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.
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 the parliament has barely reached 10 per cent. This led women’s organisations to demand one-third seats for women.
Answer - a. Democratic element: Laws passed by Parliament
Undemocratic element: External influence of WTO
b. Democratic element: Election Commission ensuring fair elections
Undemocratic element: Large-scale rigging
c. Democratic element: Demand for greater women's representation
Undemocratic element: Poor existing representation of women
Undemocratic element: External influence of WTO
b. Democratic element: Election Commission ensuring fair elections
Undemocratic element: Large-scale rigging
c. Democratic element: Demand for greater women's representation
Undemocratic element: Poor existing representation of women
Q5. 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 practise any religion.
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 practise any religion.
Answer - Option d is not a valid reason. Religious freedom is a democratic right but not directly related to preventing famine. The other options ensure accountability and awareness which help prevent famines.
Q6. 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.
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.
Answer - Option d is not a democratic method. Paying bribes is unethical and illegal. The other methods involve peaceful and lawful ways to raise demands.
Q7. 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.
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 matters, why not invite them to guide us in politics as well. The country should be ruled by religious leaders.
a. Army is the most disciplined and corruption-free organisation in the country. Therefore army should rule the country.
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 matters, why not invite them to guide us in politics as well. The country should be ruled by religious leaders.
Answer - a. Discipline and honesty are important, but army rule lacks public participation, accountability, and freedom, which are essential in democracy.
b. Every person has the right to vote and decide. Democracy is about collective wisdom and equal say, not just rule by a few 'wise'.
c. Politics involves diverse issues, and mixing it with religion can lead to bias and discrimination. Democracy ensures equality and secularism.
b. Every person has the right to vote and decide. Democracy is about collective wisdom and equal say, not just rule by a few 'wise'.
c. Politics involves diverse issues, and mixing it with religion can lead to bias and discrimination. Democracy ensures equality and secularism.
Q8. 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.
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.
Answer - a. Not democratic – suppresses personal choice and freedom.
b. Not democratic – discourages questioning and learning.
c. Democratic – the employee is rightfully raising a legal demand.
b. Not democratic – discourages questioning and learning.
c. Democratic – the employee is rightfully raising a legal demand.
Q9. 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 a loan from international agencies. One of the conditions for the given loan 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 percent people of the 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.
(a) All the citizens of the country have the right to vote. Elections are held regularly.
(b) The country took a loan from international agencies. One of the conditions for the given loan 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 percent people of the 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.
Answer -
(a) All citizens have voting rights and elections are held regularly. This is a basic democratic feature, so this supports democracy.
(b) Reducing expenses on education and health due to international loan conditions goes against democratic values, as it affects citizens’ welfare and access to basic services.
(c) Providing education only in one language discriminates against linguistic minorities, which is not in line with democratic principles of equality and cultural respect.
(d) Arresting leaders who organise peaceful protests is a violation of the right to protest, which is essential in a democracy.
(e) Government control over all media restricts press freedom and blocks public criticism, which are undemocratic practices.
Conclusion: While the country conducts elections, it does not uphold key democratic values like freedom of speech, minority rights, and freedom of the press. Therefore, it cannot be considered a true democracy.
(a) All citizens have voting rights and elections are held regularly. This is a basic democratic feature, so this supports democracy.
(b) Reducing expenses on education and health due to international loan conditions goes against democratic values, as it affects citizens’ welfare and access to basic services.
(c) Providing education only in one language discriminates against linguistic minorities, which is not in line with democratic principles of equality and cultural respect.
(d) Arresting leaders who organise peaceful protests is a violation of the right to protest, which is essential in a democracy.
(e) Government control over all media restricts press freedom and blocks public criticism, which are undemocratic practices.
Conclusion: While the country conducts elections, it does not uphold key democratic values like freedom of speech, minority rights, and freedom of the press. Therefore, it cannot be considered a true democracy.
Q10. In 2004 a report published in USA pointed to the increasing inequalities in that country... Write an essay on ‘Democracy and Poverty’ using the information given in this report but using examples from India.
Answer - Democracy and poverty are closely related. A true democracy must not only provide equal voting rights but also ensure that every citizen gets equal opportunities to live a decent life. However, in practice, poverty often limits people’s participation and voice in a democracy.
In India, democratic institutions like elections and the judiciary are available to all. But in rural and poor areas, people may not be aware of their rights or may be influenced by money and muscle power during elections. The poor may vote but often cannot influence policies the way the rich can.
For example, while the government announces schemes like MGNREGA or free ration to support poor families, the implementation is sometimes weak, and the voices of the needy are not always heard. The rich, on the other hand, can easily connect with politicians, fund election campaigns, and shape policies in their favour.
Similarly, access to quality education and healthcare remains a dream for many. A child from a poor family studying in a government school without proper teachers cannot compete with one who attends a private school. This gap limits their future, despite the fact that both live in the same democracy.
To bridge this gap, democracy in India must become more responsive to the needs of the poor. Ensuring transparency, strengthening local governance, and promoting awareness can help the poor raise their voice. True democracy can only succeed when it uplifts the weakest and treats everyone equally—not just in law, but in daily life.
In India, democratic institutions like elections and the judiciary are available to all. But in rural and poor areas, people may not be aware of their rights or may be influenced by money and muscle power during elections. The poor may vote but often cannot influence policies the way the rich can.
For example, while the government announces schemes like MGNREGA or free ration to support poor families, the implementation is sometimes weak, and the voices of the needy are not always heard. The rich, on the other hand, can easily connect with politicians, fund election campaigns, and shape policies in their favour.
Similarly, access to quality education and healthcare remains a dream for many. A child from a poor family studying in a government school without proper teachers cannot compete with one who attends a private school. This gap limits their future, despite the fact that both live in the same democracy.
To bridge this gap, democracy in India must become more responsive to the needs of the poor. Ensuring transparency, strengthening local governance, and promoting awareness can help the poor raise their voice. True democracy can only succeed when it uplifts the weakest and treats everyone equally—not just in law, but in daily life.