I. Answer the following questions.
1. 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 A: People who do not accept the country’s official religion do not have a right to vote.Ans: Undemocratic
(In a democracy, all citizens should have the right to vote regardless of their religious beliefs.)
b. Country B: The same party has been winning elections for the last twenty years.Ans: Not sure
(This situation could be democratic if elections are free and fair, but it could also be undemocratic if there is no real competition.)
c. Country C: Ruling party has lost in the last three elections.Ans: Democratic
(This indicates that elections are free and fair, and power can change hands.)
d. Country D: There is no independent election commission.Ans: Undemocratic
(An independent election commission is essential for free and fair elections, which are a cornerstone of democracy.)
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 Army.Ans: Undemocratic
(In a democracy, the military should be under civilian control, not the other way around.)
b. Country Q: The parliament cannot pass a law reducing the powers of the judiciary.Ans: Democratic
(This ensures the independence of the judiciary, which is a key feature of democracy.)
c. Country R: The country’s leaders cannot sign any treaty with another country without taking permission from its neighbouring country.Ans: Undemocratic
(This indicates a lack of sovereignty and independence in decision-making.)
d. Country S: All the major economic decisions about the country are taken by officials of the central bank which the ministers cannot change.Ans: Not sure
(While central banks often operate independently to ensure economic stability, excessive independence without accountability can be undemocratic.)
3. Which of these is not a good argument in favour of democracy? Why?a. People feel free and equal in a democracy.Ans: This is a good argument.
(A core principle of democracy is equality and freedom.)
b. Democracies resolve conflict in a better way than others.Ans: This is a good argument.
(Democratic processes often involve dialogue and compromise, helping to resolve conflict peacefully.)
c. Democratic government is more accountable to the people.Ans: This is a good argument.
(Democracies are designed to be accountable to their citizens through elections and representation.)
d. Democracies are more prosperous than others.Ans: This is NOT a good argument.
(Economic prosperity depends on many factors, not just the form of government. There are both prosperous and poor democracies, as well as prosperous and poor non-democracies.)
4. 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 (WTO).Democratic: Laws being passed by the parliament.
Undemocratic: Conforming to external regulations might undermine national sovereignty.
b. The Election Commission ordered re-polling in a constituency where large-scale rigging was reported.Democratic: Election Commission ordering re-polling to ensure fair elections.
Undemocratic: Large-scale rigging was reported, indicating the election was not initially free and fair.
c. Women’s representation in the parliament has barely reached 10 per cent. This led women’s organisations to demand one-third seats for women.Democratic: Women’s organizations demanding better representation.
Undemocratic: Women’s representation being very low, indicating gender inequality in political participation.
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.Ans: This is a valid reason.
(Opposition parties can raise awareness about societal issues and put pressure on the government.)
b. Free press can report suffering from famine in different parts of the country.Ans: This is a valid reason.
(Free media can expose problems and hold the government accountable.)
c. Government fears its defeat in the next elections.Ans: This is a valid reason.
(A government facing an election may be more responsive to public needs.)
d. People are free to believe in and practise any religion.Ans: This is NOT a valid reason.
(Religious freedom does not directly influence a government's response to famine.)
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 need. 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.Ans: This is a democratic method.
(Using legal channels to address grievances is a democratic right.)
b. Boycotting the next elections to give a message to all parties.Ans: This is a democratic method.
(Boycotting elections is a form of peaceful protest and a way to express dissatisfaction.)
c. Organising public meetings against the government’s policies.Ans: This is a democratic method.
(Peaceful protests and public meetings are fundamental rights in a democracy.)
d. Paying money to government officials to get water.Ans: This is NOT a democratic method.
(Bribing officials is not a democratic method; it is illegal and undermines the principles of democracy.)
7. Write a response to the following arguments against democracy:a. Army is the most disciplined and corruption-free organisation in the country. Therefore, the army should rule the country.Response: While the army may be disciplined and corruption-free, ruling a country requires more than discipline. A democratic government ensures that the power lies with the people, and their rights and freedoms are protected. Military rule often leads to a lack of accountability, suppression of dissent, and potential human rights abuses. In a democracy, checks and balances prevent the abuse of power.
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.Response: Democracy values the opinion and participation of all citizens, not just a select few. While it’s true that not everyone may be highly informed, democratic systems have mechanisms like debate, discussion, and the right to education that help inform and educate the populace. Moreover, wisdom is not confined to a small elite; diverse perspectives lead to better decision-making.
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.Response: While religious leaders may provide valuable spiritual guidance, mixing religion with politics can lead to theocracy, which often discriminates against those of different faiths or beliefs. A secular democratic system ensures that governance is inclusive, and decisions are made based on the welfare of all citizens, regardless of their religious affiliations.
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.Answer: No, this is not in keeping with democratic values. Democracy values individual freedom and the right to make personal choices, including in matters of marriage.
b. Teacher to student: Don’t disturb my concentration by asking me questions in the classroom.Answer: No, this is not in keeping with democratic values. Democracy encourages questioning and critical thinking, which are essential for informed and active participation.
c. Employee to the officer: Our working hours must be reduced according to the law.Answer: Yes, this is in keeping with democratic values. Democracy respects the rule of law and the rights of individuals, including workers' rights.
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 a loan from international agencies. One of the conditions for giving the loan 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 percent of people of 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 government policies and protests.
Answer: No, I would not call it a democracy.
While the first point indicates a democratic practice (universal suffrage and regular elections), the other points highlight significant undemocratic practices. The second point shows that external conditions are dictating domestic policies, which can undermine sovereignty and democratic decision-making. The third point indicates linguistic discrimination, which is against democratic principles of equality and inclusiveness. The fourth point shows suppression of dissent, which is a violation of democratic rights to protest and free speech. The fifth point shows a lack of press freedom, which is essential for a functioning democracy.
10. Write an essay on ‘Democracy and Poverty’ using the information given in this report but using examples from India.Essay: Democracy and Poverty
Democracy is often hailed as the best form of government due to its emphasis on equality, freedom, and participation. However, the relationship between democracy and poverty is complex and multifaceted. While democracy provides a framework for addressing poverty through participatory governance and accountability, persistent economic inequalities can undermine its effectiveness.
In India, a vibrant democracy, the disparities between different economic groups are stark. Similar to the situation described in the USA report, economic inequalities impact democratic participation and influence.
For instance, in India, the wealth gap between different social groups is significant. The Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), historically marginalized communities, often have lower income levels and limited access to resources compared to other groups. This economic disparity translates into lower political participation. Wealthier individuals and communities have better access to education and political platforms, enabling them to influence policies more effectively than poorer sections.
The issue of political donations also mirrors the situation in the USA. In India, political funding often comes from wealthy individuals and corporations, giving them greater access to politicians and policymakers. This financial clout allows the rich to shape policies in their favor, often at the expense of the poor.
Moreover, the provision of public services like education and healthcare is uneven, reflecting economic inequalities. While urban and affluent areas have better access to quality services, rural and poorer regions suffer from inadequate infrastructure and resources. This disparity affects the ability of poorer citizens to improve their socio-economic status, perpetuating the cycle of poverty.
A significant example is the implementation of the Right to Education (RTE) Act. While the Act mandates free and compulsory education for children aged 6 to 14, the quality and accessibility of education vary widely. In poorer regions, schools often lack basic facilities and qualified teachers, impacting the education and future opportunities of children from these areas.
Despite these challenges, democracy also provides mechanisms to address such issues. Civil society organizations and media play a crucial role in highlighting the problems faced by the poor and pressuring the government to take action. For example, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) was enacted to provide employment and improve livelihood security in rural areas. This policy resulted from persistent advocacy by social activists and grassroots organizations.
Additionally, the Indian judiciary has often intervened to protect the rights of marginalized groups. Landmark judgments like the one affirming the right to food and the right to education underscore the judiciary’s role in upholding democratic values and addressing poverty.
In conclusion, while democracy in India, as in the USA, faces challenges due to economic inequalities, it also offers tools to combat poverty. Ensuring that all citizens, regardless of their economic status, can participate equally in the democratic process is crucial for addressing poverty and achieving true democratic governance. Continuous efforts by the government, civil society, and the judiciary are essential to bridge the gap between democratic ideals and the realities of poverty.
