Telangana SCERT Class 9 Social Studies Chapter 18 Solution – Democracy – An Evolving Idea. Here on this post we have provided Class 9 Social Studies Democracy – An Evolving Idea Telangana State Board Solution. Telangana State Board English Class IX Medium Students can download this Solution to Solve out Improve Your Learning Questions and Answers.
Telangana State Board Class 9 Social Studies Chapter 18 Democracy – An Evolving Idea Solution:
1.) How does democracy produce anaccountable, responsive and legitimate government?
Ans: Democracy means a system in which those in government get their authority from the people and have to answer to the people. This usually happens through the process of leaders being elected by people at definite intervals.
The elected government functionaries are answerable to the people in different ways. First of all, there would beelected assemblies in which the government functionaries would be asked to explain their work get the plan of work. Secondly, any citizen would have approved a right to demand information about any work done by the government and the government has to disclose such information. Moreover, after a definite period, elections would be held again and the functionaries will have to seek fresh election from the people. The people can ask them to explain their work and reject them if they are not satisfied with the work.
2.) What are the conditions under which democracies accommodate social diversity?
Ans: Democracy is based on equality and inclusiveness: When we say ‘rule of the people’, we mean all people who are adults, whether they are men or women, rich or poor, black or white, Hindus or Christians or Muslims or atheists, whether they speak one language or the other. Democracy took a long time to establish itself.Initially only a few propertied men could participate in the process of voting. Slowly, the right was extended in some countries to even the poor men, then to women and eventually to people of all races and religions.
Democracy is based on the fundamental principle of political equality and inclusiveness. In a democracy, each adult citizen must have one vote and each votemust have one value. Our constitution provides universal franchise to all the citizens above 21 years of age.
3.) Give arguments to support or oppose the following assertions:
A.) Industrialised countries can afford democracy but poor countries need dictatorship to become rich.
Ans: I oppose the sentence as neither industrialised countries can afford democracy, nor poor countries need dictatorship to become rich.
B.) Democracy can’t reduce inequality of income between different citizens.
Ans: I oppose the statement as democracy means to reduce inequality whether they are men or women, rich or poor, black or white, Hindus or Christians or Muslims or atheists, whether they speak one language or the other.
C.) Government in poor countries should spend less on poverty reduction, health, education and spend more on industries and infrastructure.
Ans: I oppose the statement as government in poor countries should spend more on poverty reduction, health, education and spend more on industries and infrastructure to build a strong and sustainable democracy.
D.) In democracy, all citizens have one vote, which means that there is absence of any domination and conflict.
Ans: I support the statement as it is correct.
4.) In the context of assessing democracy, which among the following is odd one out?
Democracies need to ensure:
A.) free and fair elections
C.) majority rule
B.) dignity of the individual
D.) equal treatment before law
Ans: C. majority rule
5.) Studies on political and social inequalities in democracy show that:
A.) democracy and development go together. B. inequalities exist in democracies.
C.) inequalities do not exist under dictatorship.
D.) dictatorship is better than democracy.
Ans: B. inequalities exist in democracies
6.) Here is some information about six countries. Based on this information, how would you classify each of these countries? Write ‘democratic’, ‘undemocratic’ or ‘notsure’ against each of these.
Country A: People who do not accept the country’s official religion do not have a right to vote
Ans: undemocratic
Country B: The same party has been winning elections for the last twenty years
Ans: not sure
Country C: Ruling party has lost in the last elections
Ans: democratic
Country D: The parliament cannot pass a law about the army without the consent of the Chief of Army
Ans: undemocratic
Country E: The parliament cannot pass a law reducing the powers of the judiciary
Ans: democratic
Country F: All the major economic decisions about the country are takenby officials of the central bank which the ministers cannot change.
Ans: undemocratic
7.) 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
Ans: laws have to be passed by the parliament – democratic
the regulations decided by the World Trade Organisation – undemocratic
B.) The Election Commission ordered re-polling in a constituency where large scale rigging was reported
Ans: The Election Commission ordered re-polling – democratic.
large scale rigging was reported – undemocratic
C.) Women’s representation in the parliament has never reached 10 per cent. This led women’ organisations to demand one-third seats for women.
Ans: women’ organisations to demand one-third seats for women – democratic
Women’s representation in the parliament has never reached 10 per cent – undemocratic
8.) 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.
Ans: Soldiers from the army are not elected by the people of the country, but the government of the country is elected by the people. Hence, it makes a country democratic and therefore government 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.
Ans: The majority can also be listed in the list of wise people as they did not get the majority by doing nothing.
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.
Ans: Religious aspects and politics are two highly different concepts. You cannot change your religion, but you can change the government. The grounds of comparison is null.
9.) Locate the following countries in the world map.
1.) Srilanka 2. Belgium 3. Russia 4. America (USA)
Ans:
10.) Read the first two paragraphs under the subheading ‘Dignity and freedom of the citizens’ and answer the following question.
Write about the dignity and freedom of the citizens in a democratic country in your own words.
Ans: Democracy surpasses all other forms of government in its ability to uphold the dignity and freedom of individuals. The desire for respect and freedom is fundamental to democracy, as it acknowledges the importance of every individual. While different democracies have varying degrees of success in recognizing and implementing these principles, the concept of equality can be challenging for societies built upon subordination and domination.
Consider the case of women’s dignity. Historically, most societies were male-dominated, but the struggles of women have brought about a greater awareness that respect and equal treatment are vital in a democratic society. Although women may still face instances where they are not treated with respect, the acknowledgment of the principle makes it easier for them to fight against what is now legally and morally unacceptable. In contrast, in non-democratic systems, such violations would lack a legal basis due to the absence of legal and moral force behind the principles of individual freedom and dignity.
Similar dynamics apply to caste inequalities. In India, democracy has empowered disadvantaged and discriminated castes to demand equal status and opportunities. However, instances of caste-based inequalities and atrocities still exist, lacking the necessary moral and legal foundations. It is perhaps this recognition that leads ordinary citizens to value their democratic rights, knowing that they have a platform to challenge such injustices.
11.) What are the reasons for the people to fight for democracy?
Ans: Democracy stands much superior to any other form of government in promoting dignity and freedom of the individual. Every individual wants to receive respect from fellow beings. Often conflicts arise among individuals because some feel that they are not treated with due respect. The passion for respect and freedom are the basis of democracy. Democracies throughout the world have recognised this, at least in principle. This has been achieved in various degrees in various democracies. For societies which have been built over ago on the basis of subordination and domination, it is not a simple matter to recognise that all individuals are equal. Take the case of dignity of women. Most societies across the world were historically male dominated societies. Long struggles by women have created some sensitivity today that respect to and equal treatment of women are necessary ingredients of a democratic society. That does not mean that women are actually always treated with respect. But once the principle is recognised, it becomes easier for women to wage a struggle against what is now unacceptable legally and morally. In a non-democratic set up, this unacceptability would not have legal basis because the principle of individual freedom and dignity would not have the legal and moral force there. The same is true of caste inequalities. Democracy in India has strengthened the claims of the disadvantaged and discriminated castes for equal status and equal opportunity. However, there are instances of caste-based inequalities and atrocities even now, but these lack the moral and legal foundations. Perhaps it is this recognition that makes ordinary citizens value their democratic rights.
Expectations from democracy also function as the criteria for judging any democratic country. What is most distinctive about democracy is that its examination never gets over. As democracy passes one test, it produces another test. As people get some benefits of democracy, they ask for more and want to make democracy even better. That is why, when we ask people about the way democracy functions, they always come up with more expectations and many complaints. The fact that people are complaining is itself a testimony to the success of democracy: it shows that people have developed awareness and the ability to expect and to look critically at power holders and the high and the mighty. A public expression of dissatisfaction with democracy shows the success of the democratic project: it transforms people from the status of a subject into that of a citizen. Most individuals today believe that their vote makes a difference to the way the government is run and to their own self-interest.
12.) Give some examples which prove that democracy is practiced in our schools
Ans: a) Class monitors, prefects are elected through voting methods.
b) Equality is spread all across the school and kids and children are taught equally.
c) Teachers teach the students proper morals and values to behave in class and teaches to be disciplined at homes and schools.