Chhattisgarh State Board Class 9 Social Science Chapter 12 The Main Features of democracy Exercise Multiple Choice, Fill in the Blanks, Questions and Answers here.
Chhattisgarh State Class 9 Social Science Chapter 12 The Main Features of democracy Solution
- In Map 12.1, identify the countries that became democratic between 1900 and 1950.
Ans: Canada, USA, Mexico were the countries that became democratic between 1900 and 1950.
- In Maps 12.1 and 12.2, identify the countries that became democratic between 1950 and 1975.
Ans: The countries that became democratic between 1950 and 1975 were:
- Pakistan
- Sri Lanka
- Philippines
- India
- South Korea
- Greece
- Portugal
- Spain
- In Maps 12.2 and 12.3, identify the European countries that became democratic between 1975 and 2000.
Ans: The European countries that became democratic between 1975 and 2000 are:
- Estonia
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Identify the countries in South America that adopted democracy after 1975.
Ans: The following countries in South America adopted democracy after 1975:
- Argentina
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Chile
- Colombia
- Ecuador
- Guyana
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Suriname
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
- Make a list of the countries that had not adopted democracy even as late as 2000.
Ans: Countries that had not adopted democracy even as late as 2000:
- Libya
- Myanmar
- Maldives
- China
- Bangladesh
- Afghanistan
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Congo
- Cuba
- Ethopia
- Ghana
- Iran
- Honduras
- Kuwait
- Kenya
- Morocco
- Nepal
- Nigeria
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- Sri Lanka
- Syria
- Thailand
- Uzbekistan
- Vietnam
- Zimbabwe
- Which was the most important period for the spread of democracy? Study the maps to find the answer.
ANs: Based on the maps provided in the book, the most important period for the spread of democracy was between 1950 and 1975. During this period, a large number of countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, and South America fought to achieve democracy.
- Under which conditions can people change their government? Discuss in class.
Ans: If people are not satisfied with the performance of their elected representatives, they can change the government through elections.
- Why are elections conducted after a fixed period of time?
Ans: Every government official is elected for a specific time. Only by being re-elected by the people can a government return to power. Elections are the period when citizens in a democracy experience and utilise their power. People keep power over the government through conducting elections at regular and fixed time periods.
- Why is it necessary to have more than one political party in a democracy?
Ans: The constitution bestows special powers on the Election Commission to conduct free and fair elections. A multi-party system is also necessary in a democracy to hold impartial elections. It gives people a range of alternatives to choose from. Therefore, it is necessary to have more than one political party in a democracy.
- Should there be some conditions for universal adult franchise? Discuss in class.
Ans: To be discussed in class.
- What are your views on political equality?
Ans: We define democracy as “people’s government.” This implies that every adult in the nation has the right to vote, whether male or female, wealthy or poor, of any religion or creed, or speaking any language. This is the definition of political equality. Every vote has the same weight. Every vote counts, wealthy or poor, educated or ignorant.
- In India, from which year was the electronic voting machine used in elections?
Ans: In 1982, the electronic voting machine was used in elections in India.
- In what ways can you participate in a democracy? Discuss in class.
Ans: People participate in the daily activities of the government in a democracy. Citizens have an active part in the creation and implementation of legislation. People are the ones who notify the government about their concerns and wants.
Before a policy is developed, it is frequently debated among the public. There are several approaches to enhance democracy. People publish newspaper articles and deliver memorandums to the government concerning proposed laws or policies. They take part in debates on television and the internet. Seminars, workshops, and gatherings are held. They employ a variety of various means to express their views on the legislation or policy. There are several groups and committees in place to guide these debates and exchanges. People’s indifference is the greatest adversary to democracy.
- Do you think democracy can be successful without people’s participation?
Ans: No, I don’t think democracy can be successful without people’s participation, because democracy means where people unrelated to their caste, creed, colour, and gender can elect the government of their choice.
- List the incidents that have occurred around you that you feel have violated the law. Discuss your list in class with the help of your teacher.
Ans: There are many incidents that have occurred around me that I feel have violated the law. Those are:
a) Stealing/ theft/ robbery has been increasing in our locality at a considerable amount since last year.
b) Students who didn’t pass admission tests, getting back door admission to reputed colleges, to secure their seats which is affecting students who passed their admission tests.
c) People getting indulged to consume drugs in public.
d) Bribing police officers to set free, after committing hideous crimes.
- How will people’s participation in a democracy be affected if they had no human rights?
Ans: People cannot realise their full potential without the human rights. They are bestowed these rights in a democracy. In other words, the right to express one’s opinions, right to question, debate and discuss, right to form associations and other human rights are what give democracy strength and legitimacy.
- In any region, who are defined as minorities? Explain with an example.
Ans: In most countries there are small populations of people of a certain race, religion, community, language, colour, region, sex or political thought. These small populations of people are called minorities.
- If minorities do not have the same rights as the majority, how will they be affected?
Ans: If minorities do not have the same rights as the majority, how will they be affected in the following ways:
a) They will get deprived of education and be discriminated at schools, and offices.
b) They would be discriminated from voting, which is not acceptable, as equal people’s participation is required to form a democracy.
c) They would be a victim to violence due to the discrimination and marginalization that would take place.
- Why is it important to accept diversity in a democracy?
Ans: Diversity in society should be accepted through democracy. Democracy doesn’t involve uniformity. Respect for minorities is therefore an essential component of democratic principles. As a result, the constitution guarantees specific rights to minorities.
- What does inclusion mean? Explain with an example.
Ans: Inclusion means letting individuals feel accepted and allowing them to get involved in every aspect of society.
Example:
If a political party is elected and is committed inclusion, that government would make laws, schemes, and plans for the benefit of all the citizens and not discriminate on the basis of their caste, creed, religion, colour and sex.
- Why is inclusion of different communities necessary?
Ans: In a democracy, the government is formed on the basis of the majority. Even if there are differing and dissenting views, the decision taken on the basis of the majority view is accepted. But such decisions are not always inclusive. The minorities often feel a sense of alienation. A democracy needs to foster inclusive processes to ensure the participation of the minorities. They should not feel left out.
- What can we do to improve democracy? Discuss in class.
Ans: a) Eliminating the concept of bribery to get work done.
b) Exclude favouritism and nepotism.
c) Lead fair elections without getting influenced from special interests.
d) Immediately stopping discrimination and marginalization.
e) Larger investments in public service sectors like government hospitals, schools, etc.
EXERCISES
1.) Choose the correct word and fill in the blanks:
(Democratic dignity mistakes system of government accountable)
A ……..……..……………………….…… form of government is better than other forms because this government is more………………………..……………………………………..Democratic citizens
have …………………..…….……………………………. Democracy has scope to reform and
correct its ………..……………………………………… This is why democracy is considered the
best …………………………………………..…………………
Ans: A democratic form of government is better than other forms because this government is more accountable. Democratic citizens have dignity. Democracy has scope to reform and correct its mistakes. This is why democracy is considered the best system of government.
2.) Choose the best option:
1.) Democracy is rule by:
- a) a king b) the people
- c) the army d) feudal forces
Ans: b) the people
2.) Who had the ultimate decision-making power in Libya?
a) the people b) the representatives chosen by the people
c) the military junta d) the legislators
Ans: c) the military junta
3.) What form of government does India have?
a) dictatorship b) monarchy
c) military junta d) democracy
Ans: d) democracy
3.) Answer the following:
1.) What is meant by dictatorship?
Ans: A dictatorship believes in the strength of a single party and a single leader. A one-leader government progresses towards authoritarian rule and distances itself from the people. Col Gaddafi is an example. In a dictatorship, there is no place for people’s rights, self-respect and dignity, whereas a democracy cannot function without citizens’ rights.
2.) Who was the military junta in Libya and Myanmar accountable to?
Ans: Military juntas in both Libya and Myanmar were not responsible to the general public or citizenry. They regularly exercised strong autocratic rule as well as did not have to provide responses to a democratically appointed government or foreign organisations.
3.) What do you understand by people’s participation in democracy?
Ans: People’s participation in democracy means, people in a democracy participate in the running of the government. Citizens have an active part in the development and implementation of legislation. The people are the ones who notify the government of their issues and wants.
Before a policy is created, it is frequently debated among the public. There are several approaches to strengthening democracy. People publish articles for publications and offer memorandums to the government concerning suggested laws or policies. They take part in conversations on television and the internet. They host lectures, workshops, and gatherings. They employ a variety of various means to express their views on legislation or policy. There are several organisations and committees that guide these conversations and exchanges. The greatest foe of democracy is public indifference.
4.) Why cannot a government democratically elected by the people act in an arbitrary manner?
Ans: A defining characteristic of a democracy is the rule of law. This means the government performs all its functions in accordance with the law and does not do anything which is against the law. The rule of law also means that all laws apply equally to all the citizens of a country. No individual is exempted from the law in any way. There are many instances when high-ranking officials and powerful leaders have had to face legal proceedings in the courts just like the common citizens.
In a democratic country, the representatives chosen by the people and the legislative assembly are supreme. There are various ways in which elected governments are accountable to the people. A look at the government system in India will show us that the central and state governments are accountable to the people and their representatives in many ways. In India, all members of the executive – like the prime minister, chief-minister, council of ministers and senior officials – are accountable to the parliament or the state legislative assemblies.
5.) What are the special characteristics of a democracy?
Ans: a) An Accountable Government
b) Elections After Fixed Intervals
c) Free and Fair Elections
d) Respect for the Law, and rules of the law.
e) Rights of Minorities
6.) Does a democracy have more positive or negative qualities? Discuss in class and make a list.
Ans: There are both:
Positive aspects of the democracy:
i) Democracy is a government of the people. Hence, elections are conducted periodically. It is important for all governments in a democracy to function according to the constitution.
ii) Widespread participation of the people brings greater transparency examples of ethical functioning. Different views and opinions are accommodated.
iii) Since this system of governance depends on the participation of greater numbers of people, it takes more time to function. But this helps to bring out the merits/demerits of issues, thereby making it possible to reach better decisions.
iv) Electoral reforms are helping to reduce the expense of government functioning. Democracy is constantly progressing. This process ensures the maximum protection of citizens’ rights. As democracy is strengthened, its deficiencies are also gradually eliminated.
Negative aspects:
i) The representatives in a democracy keep changing. This leads to instability.
ii) Democracy is only about political battles and power play. There is no room for ethical functioning.
iii) Decision-making is delayed in a democracy because issues have to be discussed and debated by the masses.
iv) Electoral battles are important and expensive so there is scope for corruption.
7.) What are the arrangements needed to hold free and fair elections? Make a list of your suggestions.
Ans: To hold free and fair elections, it is necessary that they are conducted by an independent body and all political parties are permitted to participate without any pre-conditions. India has a body called the Election Commission to conduct elections. The constitution bestows special powers on the Election Commission to conduct free and fair elections. A multi-party system is also necessary in a democracy to hold impartial elections. It gives people a range of alternatives to choose from.