Important Questions for Chapter 1 What is Democracy? Why Democracy? Class 9 Political Science
Important Questions1
What is referendum?
Answer
A direct vote in which the entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a proposal.
VSAQ
2
Mention one non-democratic feature of President Mugabe's Government?
Answer
The ruler is not accountable.
VSAQ
3
In which country the women do not have the right to vote?
Answer
Saudi Arabia.
VSAQ
4
Which party of Zimbabwe led the struggle for independence?
Answer
Zimbabwe African national union.
VSAQ
5
Name one non-democratic country.
Answer
Pakistan.
VSAQ
6
Name the country where the people belonging to Russian minority find difficult to get the right to vote.
Answer
In Estonia, the people belonging to Russian minority find difficult to get the right to vote.
VSAQ
7
To which country is ZANU - PF party associated with?
Answer
The ZANU - PF party is associated with Zimbabwe.
VSAQ
8
Who appoints the President of China?
Answer
National People's Congress.
VSAQ
9
Name any two characteristics of democracy.
Answer
People choose their rulers and people have freedom to express their views.
VSAQ
10
When students are allowed to speak in class, what kind of a situation is it?
Answer
It is a democratic situation.
VSAQ
11
Why does India have so much difference of opinions and interests?
Answer
India has so much difference of opinions and interests because of its wide social diversity.
VSAQ
12
What is the basis of a good democratic government?
Answer
It holds debates and discussions and is accountable.
VSAQ
13
When did the World Trade Organization set up?
Answer
1955.
VSAQ
14
Which Pakistani general led a military coup in October 1999?
Answer
The Pakistani general who led a military coup in October 1999 was General Pervez Musharraf.
VSAQ
15
In Iraq, the real powers are held by which outside country?
Answer
The real powers in Iraq are held by the USA.
VSAQ
16
What are the major challenges to the working of democracy in India?
Answer
Casteism and communalism are the major challenges to the working of democracy in India.
VSAQ
17
What is the most common form of democracy in today's world?
Answer
The most common form of democracy in today's world is representative democracy.
VSAQ
18
Name the famous political party of Mexico.
Answer
The famous political party of Mexico is Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI).
VSAQ
1
How did General Pervez Musharraf become the President of Pakistan?
Answer
General Pervez Musharraf became the President of Pakistan by :
• In Pakistan, General Musharraf led a military coup in October 1999.
• He overthrew a democratically elected government and declared himself the 'Chief Executive' of the country.
• Later he changed his designation to President, in 2002 held a referendum in the country that granted him a five year extension.
SAQ
2
'Major decisions in a democracy must be taken by elected leaders.' Justify the statement by giving two reasons and a suitable example.
Answer
In Pakistan after passing a law elections are held to national and state assemblies.
• So now elected representatives must have some powers but final power rests with military officers.
• Those who take final decisions are not elected by the people.
• They have formally elected a parliament and government but real power is in the hands of those who are not elected.
SAQ
3
Democracy is based on the principle of political equality. Give two instances of denial of equal right to vote.
Answer
Examples to prove that political equality is still missing in many countries are:
• In Saudi Arabia, women do not have the right to vote.
• In Fiji, the electoral system is such that the vote of an indigenous Fiji has more value than that of an Indian-Fiji.
• In Estonia, Russian minority find it difficult to get the right to vote.
SAQ
4
Examine the three common features of democratic countries.
Answer
Following are the features of democratic countries :
• Freedom of speech, expression and thought is a feature of democracy.
• Elections are held at regular intervals and are fair and free.
• The dignity of the individual is recognised.
SAQ
5
Define democracy and elaborate any two common features of it.
Answer
Democracy is a form of government that allows people to choose their rulers. Features :
• Only leaders elected by people rule the country.
• People have the freedom to express their views.
• Certain political freedom is enjoyed by the people.
SAQ
6
Why was every election won by the party called PRI in Mexico? Explain any three reasons.
Answer
Every election was won by PRI because:
• Opposition didn’t contest and never managed to win.
• Teachers of government schools used to force parents to vote for PRI.
• Media did not support opposition.
• Polling booth were shifted in the last minute.
SAQ
7
Citizens of a non-democratic nation can bring about a change in the political system of the country. Write any three traits which can help them to do so.
Answer
Three Traits are :
• They should be allowed to actively participate in the politics.
• They can form associations. They can protest and take other political actions.
• They can express opinions in public.
SAQ
8
Differentiate between a democratic government and a non-democratic government.
Answer
Democratic government :
• In democratic government, there are regular elections through which people can change their government
• The citizens enjoy the freedom of speech.
• The opposition parties are allowed to function freely.
Non-democratic government:
• In non-democratic govt., elections are irregular and people do not have any right to change the government.
• There is no freedom of speech.
• The opposition parties are not allowed to function.
• There is a rule of one man or one party.
SAQ
9
Explain the difficulties faced by the people in a non-democratic country.
Answer
Difficulties are:
• The people do not choose or change their rulers or representatives.
• No freedom is in the hands of the people. They cannot nearly express their opinions.
• People cannot form political associations and organize protest and political actions.
SAQ
10
Explain any three salient features of democracy.
Answer
Salient features of democracy.
• Rulers elected by the people take all the major decisions.
• Elections offer a choice and fair opportunity to people to change the current rulers. This choice and opportunity is available to all the people on equal basis.
• The exercise of this choice leads to a government limited by basic rules of the constitution and citizens’ rights.
SAQ
11
Why are elections in China not free and fair? Explain any three reasons.
Answer
Reasons are
• Elections are held after every five years for the Parliament called the National People’s Congress.
• It has the power to appoint the President. It has 3000 members but some are elected by the army.
• Only members of the Communist Party are allowed to contest elections.
• The government is always formed by Communist Party which makes it undemocratic.
SAQ
12
How did Robert Mugabe’s party ZANU-PF violate the features of a democratically elected government? Mention any three methods adopted by the party.
Answer
Robert Mugabe's party violated democratic Features in the following manners:
• Elections were always won by ZANU-PF and Mugabe elected as the President.
• Constitution changed several times to increase the power of the President and make him less accountable.
• Opposition party was harassed.
SAQ
1
Enlist the rights/freedoms which people do not enjoy in non-democratic countries.
Answer
The rights which the people of non-democratic countries cannot enjoy are
• People cannot choose/change rulers.
• No real freedom to express opinions.
• No freedom to form political associations.
• No freedom to organise protests/action.
• No right to question authority.
LAQ
2
Highlight any five unfair practices used by the President of Zimbabwe to win the elections.
Answer
Unfair practices used by the President
• His government has changed the constitution several times to increase his power.
• Opposition party workers are harassed and their meetings disrupted.
• Public protests and demonstrations against the government are declared illegal.
• Laws that limits the right to criticise the president were passed.
• Television and radio are controlled by the government.
LAQ
3
Why Pakistan under General Musharraf cannot be called a democracy? State any five reasons.
Answer
Pakistan under General Musharaff cannot be called a democracy because:
• People in Pakistan have elected representatives to the National and Provincial Assemblies but those elected representatives are not the real leaders.
• The power to take final decisions rests with army officials and General Musharraf.
• They formally have an elected Parliament and A government. The work of the civilian cabinet is supervised by the National Security Council which is dominated by military officials.
• The real powers in Pakistan are with military officers and not with locally elected representatives.
• This cannot be called ‘people’s rule'. General Musharraf was responsible for coup.
LAQ
4
How far was the communist government responsible for the famine that occurred in China in 1958-1961? Explain.
Answer
• China’s famine of 1958-1961 was the worst recorded famine in the world history. Nearly three crore people died in this famine. During those days,
India’s economic condition was not much better than China. Yet India did not have a famine of the kind in China.
• Economists think that this was a result of different Government policies in the two countries.
• The existence of democracy in India made the Indian Government respond to food scarcity in a way that the Chinese Government did not. They point out that no large-scale famine has ever taken place in an independent and democratic country.
• If China too had multiparty elections, an opposition party and a press free to criticize the government, then so many people may not have died in the famine.
LAQ
5
Write any three arguments in favour and two against democracy as a form of government.
Answer
Arguments in favour of democracy:
• Democratic form of government is more accountable.
• It improves the quality of decision making.
• It provides a method to deal with differences and conflicts.
• It enhances the dignity of citizens.
• It allows us to correct our mistakes.
Arguments against democracy:
• Change of leaders lead to instability.
• It involves only political competition with no scope for morality.
• Consulting more people leads to delays.
• It leads to corruption.
• Ordinary people don’t know that what is good for them.
LAQ
6
"Legal Framework Order of August 2002 in Pakistan was non-democratic in nature.” Justify by giving five reasons.
Answer
Reasons are:
• President can dismiss the National/Provincial Assemblies.
• Work of civilian cabinet was supervised by military officers.
• National Security Council was dominated by military officers.
• In spite of having elected representatives final power rests with military officers.
• Final decisions were taken by those not elected by people.
LAQ
7
‘Democracy is an ideal Which is not limited to the government alone. It goes far beyond and has broader meaning' justify.
Answer
• All family members should sit down and take a decision as everyone’s opinion matters.
• A teacher should allow students to ask questions in class.
• One leader and his family members take decisions this is not democracy.
• True democracy will come to the country only when no one goes hungry to bed.
LAQ
8
“Democracy is considered the best form of government and is clearly better than any other alternative.”
Answer
Democracy is a better form of government because:
• It offers better chances of a good decision.
• It respects people’s wishes and allows different kinds of people to live together.
• It offers more dignity to all citizens and allows a way of correcting mistakes.
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