What is Democracy Why Democracy Class 9 Questions and Answers

What is Democracy Why Democracy Class 9 Questions and Answers – The NCERT solutions, which covers the topic of democracy, provide students with a comprehensive understanding of this form of government. In this chapter, students will learn about the characteristics and principles of democracy, as well as the reasons why it is considered an important form of government.

What is Democracy Why Democracy Class 9 Questions and Answers

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.

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.

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.

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 the parliament has barely reached 10 percent. This led women’s organisations to demand one-third seats for women.

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 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 practice any religion.

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.

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

a. Army is the most disciplined and corruption-free organisation in the country. Therefore the 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 – 

1. It is generally considered unfair for the military to rule a country, as the military is not democratically elected by the citizens and therefore does not have the mandate to govern.
2. In a democratic society, it is important that the government is elected by the majority of the people and represents their interests. This does not mean that the government is run by ignorant people, but rather that it is made up of individuals who have the knowledge and expertise necessary to govern effectively.
3. Religion and politics are distinct areas of human activity, and it is important to recognize that they operate in different spheres. While religion may provide individuals with guidance and values related to their personal beliefs and practices, it is not appropriate for religion to dictate political decisions or to be used as a basis for political action.

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.

Answer – 

1. Father is denying the daughter opinion, this statement violates the fundamental principles of democracy and infringes on her fundamental rights as a member of society.
2. In a democratic society, all individuals, including students, have the right to seek information, to ask questions, and to be informed about matters that affect their lives.
3. This statement is consistent with the principle of democracy, as it suggests that the employee is expressing their opinion and asserting their rights under the law. In a democratic society, individuals have the right to voice their opinions and to advocate for their rights and interests.

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 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 – 

1. This statement suggests that the country is a democracy, in which citizens are allowed to participate in the political process by voting and choosing their government through free and fair elections.
2. This may be seen as undemocratic because it goes against the principle of ensuring the well-being of the people, which is one of the fundamental responsibilities of a government in a democratic society. Education and health are important public goods that are essential for the development and prosperity of a country, and it is the responsibility of the government to prioritize and invest in these sectors in order to ensure the well-being of its citizens.
3. This statement suggests that it is undemocratic for the government to make education accessible only in one language, it is the responsibility of the government to ensure that all citizens have access to education, and this includes providing education in a language that they understand.
4. This statement suggests that arresting protestors is undemocratic because in a democratic society, it is important that individuals have the right to express their opinions and to peacefully protest against actions or policies that they disagree with. The right to protest is a fundamental right that is protected by law, and it is the responsibility of the government to respect and uphold this right. By arresting protestors, the government may be infringing on their right to free expression and may be acting in a way that is incompatible with the principles of democracy.
5. This statement suggests that when the government owns the radio and television, it is restricting people’s access to a free press, which is an undemocratic practice. In a democratic society, it is important that individuals have access to a diverse range of sources of information and that the media is free from government control or interference.

CBSE Skill Education