Chapter 1 Class 9th What is Democracy Notes

Chapter 1 - What is Democracy? Why Democracy 

NCERT solutions Class 9th Social Science Notes

Civics chapter 1 notes

What is democracy?

Democracy means a system or a form of government in which the people have the right to choose their representatives. A government of a country which is elected by the people.

Features of democracy:

• Elections are conducted free and fair 

• Universal adult franchise provided to everyone who is 18 and above . they have the right to give a vote.

• Fundamental rights provided to all people and freedom of the people are protected by the government.

Why do we need democracy?

Democracy protects our fundamental rights, freedom and always respects human rights.

All people are free from discrimination.

It gives equal rights to men and women.

One person, one vote, one value

1. Democracy is based on the basic principle of political equality.

2. There have been some instances where equal rights have been denied.

3. Until 2015 women have no right to vote in Saudi Arabia 

4. In Estonia, civil regulations made it very difficult for people from the Russian minority to gain the right to vote.

5. Fiji's electoral system gave more importance to indigenous Fijians than to Indo-Fijians.

Rule of law, respect for rights

1. Zimbabwe gained independence from white minority rule in 1980 and since then, the country has been ruled by ZANU-PF, the party that led the independence struggle. 

2. President Mugabe rigged the elections so that ZANU-PF always wins.

3. Harassment done to an independent journalist who spoke against the government.

4. In a democratic country decisions were taken by those rulers who were elected by the people, and all people have equal opportunities. 

Why democracy ?

1. Instability occurs when leaders keep changing.

2. Democracy is entirely based on political competition and power play, with no scope for morality. 

3. In a democracy, many people have to be consulted, which causes delay.

4. Elected leaders are not aware of the best interest of the people, resulting in wrong decisions.

5. Democracy breeds corruption because it is based on electoral competition.

Arguments in favour of democracy 

1. Democracy is a better government than others because it provides equal opportunity to all people of India.

2. It also develops the dignity of citizens.

3. Democracy gives a way to deal with differences and conflicts.

4. Democracy improves the quality of decision making.

Arguments against democracy 

1. Political competition and power play can overpower morality.

2. Delay in decision making due to multiple consultations.

3. Lack of information in public interest can lead to wrong decisions.

4. Democracy is based on electoral competition, it brings corruption.

5. The people electing their representatives may be ignorant of their well-being.

Democracy in India 

1. India is have largest democracy in all around the world 

2. All citizen have right to vote without any discrimination of caste religion or colour.

3. Election are held after every 5 year 

4. Government officials work under the Election Commission during election days.

NCERT Solutions class 9 civics chapter 1 Question Answers:

Q1. Here is some information about the 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: The Ruling party has lost in the last three elections.

d) Country D: There is no independent election commission.

Answer

a) Country A: Undemocratic

b) Country B: Not sure

c) Country C: Democratic

d) Country D: Undemocratic

Q2. 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 the 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.

Answer

a) Country P: Undemocratic

b) Country Q: Democratic

c) Country R: Undemocratic

d) Country S: Undemocratic

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.

Answer:

D. Democracies are better than other systems is not a good argument in favour of democracy. There are many countries in this world that are democratic but are not as prosperous as other countries that are non-democratic. Democracy means that the citizens have a right in electing the leaders of their own choice and also involved in the decision making  of the country. It does not essentially guarantee welfare, as there are other factors such as government policies, mineral resources, geography, human resources, and economy, etc.

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 confirm 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 parliament has barely reached 10 per cent. This led women’s organisations to demand one-third of seats for women.

Answer:

a) Democratic Element - A minister said that some laws have to be passed by parliament.

Undemocratic element - Order to confirm to the regulations decided by world trade Organisation.

b) Democratic Element - The election commission ordered re-polling in a constituency.

Undemocratic element - Large scale rigging was reported.

c) Democratic element - This led women’s organisations to demand one-third of seats for women.

Undemocratic element - Women’s representation in parliament has barely reached 10 percent.

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) A free press can report suffering from famine in different parts of the country.

c) The government fears its defeat in the next elections.

d) People are free to believe in and practise any religion.

Answer:

Statement D - People are free to believe in and practise any religion is not a valid reason for arguing that there is a lesser possibility of famine in a democratic country.

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.

Answer:

Option D - paying money to government officials to get water is not a democratic method.