NCERT Solutions Class 9 Social Science (Civics – Democratic Politics-I)
The NCERT Solutions in English Language for Class 9 Social Science (Civics – Democratic Politics-I) Chapter – 1 (What is Democracy? Why is Democracy?) has been provided here to help the students in solving the questions from this exercise.
Chapter – 1 (What is Democracy? Why is Democracy?)
Exercises
1. 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.
(b) 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
2. 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 – The argument (d), which states that “Democracies are more prosperous than others”, is not a good argument in favour of democracy. This is because some democracies like India are still developing economically and it is not necessary that a democracy will be prosperous than other forms of government like monarchies and dictatorships.
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 conform 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 the parliament. Undemocratic element – Conform to the regulations decided by the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
(b) Democratic element – The Election Commission ordered re-polling in a constituency. Undemocratic element – Large-scale rigging was reported.
(c) Democratic element – Women’s organisations to demand one-third of seats for women. Undemocratic element – Women’s representation in parliament has barely reached 10 per cent.
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 – Option (d) is not a valid reason for arguing that there is a lesser possibility of famine in a democratic country, because practicing a religion is in no way related to prevent famines
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), which advocates paying the government officials money, is an undemocratic method.
7. Write a response to the following arguments against democracy:
(a) The army is the most disciplined and corruption-free organisation in the country. Therefore, the army should rule the country.
(b) The 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.
(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.
Answer –
(a) The army is a disciplined organisation. However, it is unfair if an army rules, as the army was not chosen by the citizens, and hence, it will be an undemocratic practice.
(b) The rule of the majority is not the rule of ignorant people. Wisdom is subjective, and the government is run by people who know law and order.
(c) Religion and politics are two different things. While religion can guide someone towards religious affairs, it cannot guide anyone towards politics, which is an important segment of a nation.
8. Are the following statements in keeping with democracy as a value? Why?
(a) Father to daughter: I don’t want to hear your opinion about your marriage. In our family, children marry where the parents tell them to.
(b) Teacher to student: Don’t disturb my concentration by asking me questions in the classroom.
(c) Employee to the officer: Our working hours must be reduced according to the law.
Answer –
(a) The statement does not keep with democracy as a value, as the daughter is not allowed to express her opinion.
(b) The statement does not keep with democracy as a value, as students are not allowed to ask questions, which is their right.
(c) The statement keeps with democracy as law, as the employee voices their opinion for their right under the law.
9. Consider the following facts about a country and decide if you would call it a democracy. Give reasons to support your decision.
(a) All the citizens of the country have the right to vote. Elections are held regularly.
(b) The country took loans from international agencies. One of the conditions for giving loans was that the government would reduce its expenses on education and health.
(c) People speak more than seven languages, but education is available only in one language, the language spoken by 52 per cent of people in that country.
(d) Several organisations have given a call for peaceful demonstrations and nationwide strikes in the country to oppose these policies. The government has arrested these leaders.
(e) The government owns the radio and television in the country. All the newspapers have to get permission from the government to publish any news about the government’s policies and protests.
Answer –
(a) This is democracy as only democratic setup allow right to vote and also election at regular time period.
(b) A democratic country has to look after the welfare of its people. The condition of reducing of expenses on health and education is against the welfare of the people.
(c) In democracy, education is available in all languages as it basic right. Official language can be the language of majority of people.
(d) In a democracy, people have right to express their opinion in peaceful manner. It is undemocratic behaviour.
(e) This is undemocratic nature as in democracy freedom of press and media is must. If government own radio and television then freedom of press violated.
10. In 2004 a report published in USA pointed to the increasing inequalities in that country. Inequalities in income reflected in the participation of people democracy. It also shaped their abilities influence the decisions taken by government. The report highlighted that:
- If an average Black family earns $100 then the income of average White family is $162. A White family has twelve times more wealth than the average Black family.
- In a President’s election, nearly nine out of individuals in families with income over $75,000 have voted. These people are the top 20% the population in terms of their income. On the other hand, only 5 people out of 10 from families with income less than $ 5,000 have voted. They are the bottom 20% of the population terms of their income.
- About 95% contribution to the political Ties comes from the rich. This gives them opportunity to express their opinions and concerns, which is not available to most citizens.
- As poor sections participate less in politics, government does not listen to their concerns coming out of poverty, getting job, education, health care and housing from them. Politicians hear most regularly about the concerns of business and the rich.
Write an essay on “Democracy and Poverty” using the information given in this report but using examples from India.
Answer – Democracy and Poverty are equally related with each other and the facts mentioned in the report of 2004 in USA clearly indicate that rich people still are more influencing than the poor. In the present date, rich people are the decision makers. All the policies that are being launched are set by their representatives. The poor people or people belonging to the poverty line cannot make any changes in this. If we look at our country the expenses of a general election cannot be afford by a common people and thus most of the political power is wielded by those with money. Poor people of our country work day and night just to complete the needs of his family and earn a livelihood These people fight with hunger not with the policies of the government.
