In this chapter, students learn the real meaning of democracy, its key features, and why it is considered the best form of government. The NCERT questions help students understand how democratic principles work in real life and why participation, equality, and accountability are important in a democratic setup. These NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Political Science Chapter 1 provide clear, accurate, and easy-to-understand answers that help learners prepare well for exams and build a strong foundation in Civics.
Ch:-1 – What is Democracy? Why Democracy?
Exercises Solution
Ques1:- 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: (a) Undemocratic
(b) Country B: The same party has been winning elections for the last twenty years.
Ans: (b) Not sure
(c) Country C: Ruling party has lost in the last three elections.
Ans: (c) Democratic
(d) Country D: There is no independent election commission.
Ans:- (d) Undemocratic
Ques:- 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:- Country P: Undemocratic
(b) Country Q: The parliament cannot pass a law reducing the powers of the judiciary.
Ans:- Country Q: Democratic
(c) Country R: The country’s leaders cannot sign any treaty with another country without taking permission from its neighbouring country.
Ans:- Country R: Undemocratic
(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:- Country S: Undemocratic
Ques:- 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.
Ans:- (d) Democracies are more prosperous than others.
It is not a good argument in favour of democracy as the prosperity of a country cannot be determined through its form of government but through its economic condition, government policies, human resources, mineral resources, etc. For example :- a democratic country like India is still a developing country, while a country like China and Mexico following monarchy rule is economically strong.
Ques:- 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).
Ans :-
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) The Election Commission ordered re-polling in a constituency where large-scale rigging was reported.
Ans :-
Democratic element :- The Election Commission ordered re-polling in a constituency.
Undemocratic element :- Large-scale rigging was reported.
(c) Women’s representation in the parliament has barely reached 10 percent. This led women’s organisations to demand one-third seats for women.
Ans :-
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.
Ques:- 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) Free press can report suffering from famine in different parts of the country.
(c) Government fears its defeat in the next elections.
(d) People are free to believe in and practice any religion.
Ans:- (d) “People are free to believe in and practise any religion” a democratic country like India is still a developing country, while a country like China and Mexico following monarchy rule is economically strong.
Ques:- 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.
Ans:- (d) Paying money to government officials to get water is an undemocratic method.
Ques 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.
Ans :- Rule of army is against the principles of democracy as:-
-- In democracy, government should be elected by the people but Army is not elected by the people.
-- The army is a disciplined organisation so it may be possible People will not be allowed to voice their opinion or expression.
-- There would be no assurance that the army cannot turn into a ruthless dictator at any point of their rule.
-- For example, the people of Chile suffered under the Army rule of General Augusto Pinochet.
(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.
Ans :-In Democracy Everyone has the right to participate equally in the formation of the government. Therefore ignoring some sections of society would be unfair.
-- Rule of the majority is the basic principle of democracy but wise people should contest election and become the ruler of the country.
(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.
Ans :-Country should not be ruled by religious leaders. A democratic state should be a secular state.
-- Religion and politics are two different things. in a multi-religious country bringing religion into politics can cause serious conflict among the people due to their mutual conflicts of ideologies.
-- So only elected representatives should be the administrators of the country.
Ques 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.
Ans:- The statement made is an undemocratic statement as the girl is being denied as an opportunity to voice her opinion and choose her partner. As per our Constitution, every citizen who is 18 or above has the right to marry according to his/her choice.
(b) Teacher to student: Don’t disturb my concentration by asking me questions in the classroom.
Ans:- The statement made is undemocratic as the student is being denied the right to ask questions/clear his doubts. The best the teacher can do is to ask the student to ask his query at the end of the lecture; however, stopping him from doing so is incorrect.
(c) Employee to the officer: Our working hours must be reduced according to the law.
Ans:- The statement made is a democratic statement because here the employees are asking for their fundamental rights. Within the norms of the company, the employees are always ask or request their officer for something.
Ques 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.
Ans:- Democratic:- Where citizens have the right to vote and elections are held regularly.
(b) The country took a loan from international agencies. One of the conditions for the given loan was that the government would reduce its expenses on education and health.
Ans:- Undemocratic:- In a democracy, no other country or agency can dictate the government to reduce its expenses on any activity which are necessary for the welfare of the people. It is the basic duty of the democratic government to provide education and health to all the citizens.
(c) People speak more than seven languages but education is available only in one language, the language spoken by 52 percent people of the country.
Ans:- Undemocratic:- It is the fundamental right for people to have an education,and it is the government’s duty to provide them with the language they know.The provision of making education accessible in only one language is undemocratic.
(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.
Ans:- Undemocratic:- People have a right to protest against the policies of the government. Peaceful demonstrations and nation-wide strikes are democratic method of protest. Hence, arresting the protestors is undemocratic.
(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.
Ans:- Undemocratic:- A very important part of democracy is the freedom of the press.Therefore, the total control of media shows that there is no freedom of speech and expression and the right to speak against the government.
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