SHORT ANSWI ER TYPE QUE! : STIONS : marks each | [Answers should not exceed 80 works, eich) Q.1. What ie are three features of democracy ? . Features of democracy are : () nes elected by the people take all the major decisions, (ii) Elections offer a choice and fair opportunity to the people to change the cunen, rulers; (iii) This choice and opportunity is available to all the people on an equal basis; (iv) The exercise of this choice leads to a government limited by basic rules of te (Any three) constitution and citizens’ rights. ges that took place recently in India’ 2. Explain any three major political chan; neighbourhood.cracy ? Why Democracy ? Dem i Pakistan-General Musharaf Ans Ut Nepal-in 2005, the new kin I lraq-Saddam Hussein's reg tis whet leda Military Coup, iS dismisseq the elected government, ime was overthrown, How does democracy improve the quali Q3- Democracy is based on Consultation and di Aer ieeokies Many Persons, discussions an, ity of decision making ? Scussion. A democratic decision always cl meetings. When q nu i . mber of people put their heads together, they are able to point Out Possible mistakes in any decision, This takes time. But there is a big advantage in taking time over important decisions, This reduces the chances of rash or irresponsible decisions, Thus, democr f decision-making, ‘acy improves the quality of . Q.4. How does democracy enh; Ans. Even if democracy does not bri Q.5. How is democracy better than oth Ans. (i) It is correct that democracy is bett (ii) No form of government can guarantee that, The advanta such mistakes cannot be hidden for long. (iii) There is a Space for public discussion on these mistakes. And there is a room for Correction. Either the rulers have to change their decisions, or the tulers can be changed. This cannot happen in a non-democratic government, Q6. Democracy cannot get us everything ‘an why are we interested in democracy ? It is Clearly better than any other alternative form that we know, It offers better chances of a good decision and it is likely to Tespect people’s own wishes and allows different kinds of people to live together. A i) Even when it fails to do some of these things, it allows a aeons cae couiisakes and offers more dignity to all iizens. That is whe, de Considered the best form of government. ge ina democracy is that Ans, (i) Whi | m ies who j ” mean ? Name the countries wi , .7, ‘at does ‘one Person, one vote, one value’ oem : i lity."In a democracy, Ane RY the equal right to vote. inciote of pobtical equal ina democr ns, “™Ocracy is based on a fundamental prini B ea nara Rave ore cold Democracy He fe a Cay re are many neat ‘th ‘de pee ea ‘Adult Franchise. Yet, the f ‘ed to the demand for nial of equal right to vote.Fulure-track : Social Scion k © Until 2015, in Saudi Arabia, women did not have the right to vote, « Estonia has made its citizenship rules in such a way that people belonging, Russian minority find it difficult to get the right to vote. 0 «© In Fifi, the electoral system is such that the vote of an indigenous Fiji has more rh than that of an Indian Q.8. Is it correct that a democratic government cannot do whatever it Tikes > | 226 = ". Explain. ae ‘i : Ans. (i) A democratic government cannot do whatever it likes because it has Won ay some basic rules, In particular, it has to respect Some very major decision has to go through a series of election. It has to respec guarantees to the minoritie consultations. (ii) Every office bearer has certain rights and responsibilities assigned by thy constitution and the law. Each of these is accountable not only to the people by also to other independent officials. (i) A democratic government rules within limits set by constitutional law and citizens rights. Q.9. Pakistan under the General Pervez Musharraf is not called a democracy, Why ? Ans. Pakistan under the General Pervez Musharraf is not called a democracy because : (i) The rulers are not elected by the people in Pakistan. People may have elected their representatives to the national and provincial assemblies but those elecied representatives are not really the rulers. (ii) They cannot take the final decisions. (iii) The power to take final decision rests with army officials and with General Musharraf, and none of them are elected by the people. Q.10. How popular governments can be undemocratic ? Explain with an example. Ans. In Zimbabwe, since it attained independence in 1980, elections have been helé regularly and always won by ZANU-PF the party that led the freedom struggle. Is leader, President Robert Mugabe, is popular but also uses unfair practices in elections. His government has changed the constitution several times to increase the powers © the President and make him less accountable. Opposition party workers are hares Public protests and demonstrations against the government are declared illegal. Ue is a law that limits the right to criticise the President. Television and radio are cont by the government and give only the ruling party's version. Q.11. Till 2000, Mexico was not a democratic country. Explain. Ans. In Maxico, people seemed to really have a choice but in practice they had no ce 4 There was no way the ruling party could be defeated, even if people were ager ed These are not fair elections. But until 2000 every election was won by a pat" «, ut PRI (Institutional Revolutionary Party). ‘Opposition parties did contest elect ie never managed to win. The PRI was known to use many dirty tricks to winWhat is Democracy ? Why Democracy ? Q.12. What is the signific ‘ ance of accecee the rule of law and respect for rights in Ans. A democratic governmey independent officials. Q.13. Explain any three difference E non-democratic country. es between democratic country and Ans. In a Democratic Country : (i) Each adult citizen has a right to vote (ii) Each vote has one value. (iii) Free and fair elections are held. In a Non-democratic Country : (i) Elections do not offer a choice and fair opportunity. (ii) Rulers are not elected by the people. (iii) The rulers have unlimited power. — LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS : 5 marks each | [Answers should not exceed 100 words each. Q.1. “Democracy provides a method to deal with differences and conflicts”. Discuss. Ans. Democracy provides a method to deal with differences and conflicts. In any society, people are bound to have differences of opinions and interests. These differences are particularly sharp in a country like ours which has an amazing social diversity. People belong to different regions, speak different languages, practise different -religions and have different castes. They look at the world very differently and have different preferences. The preferences of one group can clash with those of other groups. Democracy provides the only peaceful solution to this problem. In democracy, no one is a permanent winner. No one is a permanent loser. Different groups can live with one another peacefully. In a diverse country like India, democracy keeps our country together. Q.2. What are the various aspects of democracy? <@18(Analysing & Evaluating) Ans. We may refer to three aspects of democracy—political, social and economic. (i) Political Aspect : Political semana) tenes fers peonsent end iti ity.” Democracy, as a form of government, it as aa reasonable frequency. Moreover, there should be more than one litical party competing for political power. ; (ii) eset pate : a democratic society is one in which an atmosphere of equality prevails. There should be no discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste orPea | : Peto Sag ; © sex. Every one should have equal access to shops, restaurants, hotels and pj. public entertainment. Our Constitution guarantees equality to every person wa law. re (ili) Economic Aspect : Political democracy will be a reality only when it is Supy by economic democracy. The most stable democracies of the world are tho, have extensive welfare schemes for the poor people. Q.3. What are the merits of a democratic government ? AQAA (Analysing & Ealeatng Porte Se Wiha Ans. The merits of a democratic government are : (i) A democratic government is a better government because it is a more accountabj, form of government. (ii) Democracy improves the quality of decision-making. | (ii) Democracy provides a method to deal with differences and conflicts. | (iv) Democracy enhances the dignity of citizens. | {v) It is better than other forms of government because it allows us to correct its ovq | mistakes. | Q.4. Why has India not experiences a famine as severe as that of China in | 1958-61 ? Ans. China’s famine of 1958-1961 was the worst recorded famine in the world history, Nearly three crore people died in this famine. During those days, India’s economic condition was not much better than China. Yet India did not have a famine of the kind | China had. Economists think that this was a result of different government policies in the two countries. The existence of democracy in India made the Indian government respond to food scarcity in a way that the Chinese government did not. They point out that no large-scale famine has ever taken-place in an independent and democratic country. If China too had multiparty elections, an opposition party and a press free to criticise the government, then so many people may not have died in the famine. | Q.5. What are the drawbacks of a democracy. | Ans. The following are the draw backs of a democracy : | (i) Leaders keep changing in a democracy. This leads to instability. | (ii) Democracy is all about political competition and power play. There is no scope for | morality. (iti) So many people have to be consulted in a democracy that it leads to delays. | (iv) Elected leaders do not know the best interest of the people. It leads to ba# | decisions. \ (v) Democracy leads to corruption for it is based on electoral competition. ia (vi) Ordinary people don't know what is good for them; they should not decide ar is ii democracy ? , Q.6. How far is it correct that no country has a perfect emocracy 2 eatAns. No country has a perfect democracy because : 329 (i) Every democracy has to try ; This cannot be achieved once ar the rulers do, but mainly on what we} (ii) This is what distinguished democrac government like monarchy, dictatorsh to take part in politics, (iii) In fact, most non-democratic governme! ere ; politics. But democracy ssenis on ee ere a ee = That is why, a study of democracy must focus on democratic politics, _ Q.7. Why did the Institutional Revolutiona election till 2000 ? Ans. The Institutional Revolutionary Party in Mexico was very strong till 2000. There are many reasons behind it : (i) Until 2000, every election was won by Institutional Revolutionary Party in Mexico. Opposition parties did contest elections, but never managed to win. (ii) All those who were employed in government offices had to attend its party meetings. Teachers of government schools used to force parents to vote for the PRI. (iii) Media largely ignored the activities of opposition political parties except to criticise them. (iv) Sometimes, the polling booths were shifted from one place to another in the last minute, which made it difficult for people to cast their votes. (v) The PRI spent a large sum of money\in the campaign for its candidates. as citizens, do, 'y from other governments, Other forms of ip or one party rule do not require all citizens ry Party in Mexico never lose any Q.8. What were the steps taken by Musharraf in Pakistan to empower himself ? Ans. The following steps were taken by Musharraf in Pakistan to empower himself : (i) In Pakistan, General Pervez: Musharraf led a military coup in October 1992. He overthrew a democratically elected government and declared himse Executive’ of the country. , ae (ii) Later, he changed his designation to President and in 2002, held a referendum in Deere anaes ronialiat amended the Constitution if i ‘Legal Framewor ndec : i in 200, he sud» "eae Pam esac mi he anal ot ist le inci lies. P ftici .d with General (iv) Taha nada final decision rested with army officals an ie 7 ; ity Council Musharraf. ervised by a National Security Coun jvilian cabinet was sup‘ (0) The work of the civilian care oe which was dominated b: