What is Democracy?Why Democracy? Question Answers Class 9

1. What is democray?

Answer: Democracy is a system of government in which rulers are elected by people.

2. What are the major features of democracy?

Answer: Features of the democracy:

i)Major decisions are taken by the elected leaders.

ii)    Free and fair elections.

iii)    Universal Adult Franchise (One Person, One Vote and One Value).

iv)   Rule of Law and Respect of Rights.

3.‘A democratic government rules within limits set by constitutional law and citizens’ rights.’ Justify the statement with examples.

Answer:

< Rulers elected by the people take all the major decisions.

< Elections offer a choice and fair opportunity to the people to change the current rulers.

< This choice and opportunity are available to all the people on an equal basis.

< The exercise of this choice leads to a government limited by basic rules of the constitution and citizens’ rights.

4. Explain the arguments against democracy.

Answer:

<Leaders keep changing in a democracy. This leads to instability.

< Democracy is all about political competition and power play. There is no scope for morality.

< So many people have to be consulted in a democracy that it leads to delays.

< Elected leaders do not know the best interest of the people. It leads to bad decisions.

< Democracy leads to corruption for it is based on electoral competition.

< Ordinary people don’t know what is good for them; they should not decide anything.

5. Explain the arguments in favor of democracy.

Answer:

i)A democratic government is a better government because it is a more accountable form of government.

ii)Democracy improves the quality of decision-making.

iii) Democracy provides a method to deal with differences and conflicts.

iv)Democracy enhances the dignity of citizens.

v) Democracy is better than other forms of government because it allows us to correct its own mistakes.

6. ‘Democracy is all about political competition and powerplay. There is no scope for morality’. Justify the statement by giving arguments against democracy.

Answer:

i)Political parties and candidates use all the dirty tricks to win elections.

ii)Many of them use money and muscle power during the elections.

iii)   Political parties or candidates demand votes on the basis of caste, religion etc.

7. Why Democracy is considered to be better than other forms of government?

Answer:

Democracy is a best form of government because of the following reasons:

i)    A democratic government is a better government because it is an accountable form of government.

ii)Democracy improves the quality of decision making.

iii)   Democracy provides a method to deal with differences and conflicts.

iv)Democracy enhances the dignity of citizens.

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