1.5-Exercises (What is Democracy)
1.5-Exercises (What is Democracy) Important Formulae
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Grade 9 → Civics → What is Democracy? Why Democracy? → 1.5-Exercises (What is Democracy)
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Solved Example: 1-5-01
1. 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.
Solution:
Classification of Countries
Country A: Undemocratic
Country B: Undemocratic
Country C: Democratic
Country D: Undemocratic
Solved Example: 1-5-02
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.
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.
Solution:
Classification of Countries
Country P: Undemocratic
Country Q: Democratic
Country R: Undemocratic
Country S: Undemocratic
Solved Example: 1-5-03
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
Solution:
Argument Against Democracy
Option d, "Democracies are more prosperous than others," is not a strong argument in favor of democracy. While some democracies are economically successful, prosperity is influenced by various factors such as geography, resources, and historical context. There are non-democratic nations that have achieved high levels of economic growth. Thus, prosperity cannot be solely attributed to democratic governance. This argument oversimplifies complex economic realities and ignores that different political systems can yield varying economic outcomes.
Solved Example: 1-5-04
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).
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.
Solution:
Democratic and Undemocratic Elements
a.
Democratic Element: Laws must be passed by the parliament.
Undemocratic Element: Conforming to external regulations (WTO) without public input.
b.
Democratic Element: The Election Commission's action to ensure fair elections.
Undemocratic Element: Large-scale rigging indicates a failure in the electoral process.
c.
Democratic Element: Women's organizations demanding representation.
Undemocratic Element: Low representation of women in parliament (10 percent).
Solved Example: 1-5-05
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.
Solution:
Which of these is not a valid reason for arguing that there is a lesser possibility of famine in a democratic country?
The option that is not a valid reason is: d People are free to believe in and practise any religion. This statement does not directly relate to addressing issues of hunger or starvation. In a democracy, the presence of opposition parties (option a), a free press (option b), and the government's concern about electoral defeat (option c) play significant roles in ensuring that the government is held accountable for addressing famine and food security issues. Hence, option d is irrelevant in this context.
Solved Example: 1-5-06
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.
Solution:
Which of these is not a democratic method?
The option that is not a democratic method is: d Paying money to government officials to get water. This approach involves corruption and undermines the principles of democracy, where citizens should hold their government accountable through lawful and transparent means. In contrast, filing a case in courts (option a), boycotting elections (option b), and organizing public meetings (option c) are all valid democratic methods for citizens to express their grievances and seek action from their government regarding essential services like drinking water.
Solved Example: 1-5-07
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.
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.
Solution:
Response to Arguments Against Democracy
While the army may display discipline, military rule often suppresses freedoms and lacks accountability. Democracy ensures that power is distributed, allowing for checks and balances. Regarding the notion that the majority is ignorant, democracy encourages education and informed decision-making among citizens, fostering a politically aware society. Additionally, merging religion and politics risks marginalizing those of different beliefs and undermines secularism. A democratic framework protects diverse perspectives, ensuring representation for all, rather than concentrating power in the hands of a few, whether they are military leaders, the wise, or religious figures.
Solved Example: 1-5-08
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.
Solution:
Democracy and Values
a. This statement is not in keeping with democracy as it disregards the daughter's autonomy and right to express her opinion, which is fundamental in a democratic society.
b. This statement contradicts democratic values by silencing the student’s right to ask questions and participate in the learning process, which is essential for open dialogue.
c. This statement aligns with democratic values as it asserts the employee’s right to advocate for lawful working conditions, reflecting the principle of justice and equity in the workplace.
Solved Example: 1-5-09
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.
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 languages 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.
Solution:
Assessing Democracy
a. The presence of universal voting rights and regular elections is a positive indicator of democracy, suggesting that citizens can participate in governance.
b. However, conditions attached to international loans that limit spending on essential services can undermine the democratic right to quality education and healthcare.
c. The lack of educational resources in multiple languages excludes many citizens, violating principles of equality and inclusion in a democratic society.
d. The arrest of peaceful protest leaders indicates repression and a lack of freedom of expression, which are antithetical to democratic values.
e. Government control over media restricts freedom of speech and access to information, essential components of a true democracy.
Solved Example: 1-5-10
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.
Solution:
Democracy and Poverty
In India, the link between poverty and political participation is significant. Wealth disparities lead to unequal representation in democracy. For instance, affluent families are more likely to vote and influence policy, while those from lower-income backgrounds often feel marginalized. This is evident during elections where urban, wealthy voters dominate the turnout. Political parties receive most funding from the rich, allowing them to amplify their voices in governance. Consequently, issues like poverty, employment, and healthcare for the poor often remain unaddressed, as politicians prioritize the concerns of wealthier constituents, sidelining the needs of the economically disadvantaged.