LESSON-1
POLITICAL SCINECE
WHAT IS DEMOCRACY? WHY DEMOCRACY?
I-Answer the following-Short Questions:
Q1. What is Democracy?
Ans: Democracy is a form of government in which the rulers are elected by the
people. The word democracy comes from a Greek word ’demokratia’. In Greek
‘domos’ means people and ‘kratia’ means rule. So democracy is rule by the people.
Q2. Define Dictatorship?
Ans: Dictatorship is a system of governance where rulers are not elected by the
people. People have no role in choosing the government.
For example: Myanmar–Before 2016, Saudi Arabia.
Q3. Write some examples where elected governments were formed but there
is no democracy.
Ans: Some countries have formed parliament, but power is not the hands of the
parliament:
1. Role of USSR in communist Poland.
2. Role of king in Nepal before 2008.
3. Period of emergency in India from June 1975 to March 1977.
Q4. Explain the concept of one person, one vote and one value.
Ans: The concept of one person, one vote, one value means that all adult citizens
of a country, irrespective of their background, have right to vote. Each adult citizen
has one vote and the value of each vote remains same for everyone.
Q5. Which is the most common form of democracy?
Ans: The most common form of democracy is representative democracy. In
democratic countries, all the people do not rule. A majority is allowed to take
decisions on behalf of all the people.
Q6.Why is the form of democracy necessary?
There are two reasons for the necessary of democracy because:
Modern democracies involve such a large number of the people that it is
impossible for them to sit together and take a collective decision.
Even if they could, the citizens do not have the time, the desire or the skills to take
part in all the decisions.
II-Answer the following-Long Questions:
Q1. Describe about the merits and demerits of Democracy.
Ans: Merits of Democracy are:
1. A democratic government is better form of government because it is more
accountable form of government.
2. Democracy improves the quality of making and taking decisions.
3. Democracy keeps and enhances the dignity of citizens.
4. Poor and least educated have the same status to as of the rich and educated.
*Merits are also the features of democracy.
Demerits of Democracy are:
1. Leaders’ keeps on changing, this leads to instability.
2. Democracy is all about political competition and power play, no scope of
morality.
3. People have to be consulted in a democracy, so it leads to delays.
4. In democracy, a lead to corruption for it is based on electoral competition.
Q2. What are the difficulties people face in non-democratic countries?
Or
Suppose you are a citizen of an autocratic or non-democratic country. What
difficulties would you face in such scenario?
Ans: The difficulties people face in non-democratic countries are as follows:
1. People do not have the right to elect their rulers.
2. Government rules by force.
3. People do not have any right to criticize or oppose as opponent.
4. Absence of Freedom for the citizens.
5. Government controls all the aspects of society like religion, cultures, media
etc.
6. Decision is taken in an arbitrary manner favouring government and it is
related members.
Q3. Write down any four basic feature of a democracy?
Or
Explain the major features of democratic governments.
Ans: The four basic features are:
1. In a democracy the final decision making power rest with those elected
by the people
2. In democracy, elections offer the people a choice and a fair opportunity
to change their rulers.
3. The right to vote is available to all citizens.
4. Democratic government rulers within limits set be constitutional law
and citizen’s rights.
Q4. “Democracy is of the people, for the people and by the people”. Explain
how the people are rulers in a democracy.
Ans. “Democracy is of the people, for the people and by the people” is a famous
quote of US president “Abraham Lincoln”.
1. In a democracy, people have constitutionally guaranteed right to vote and
have power to select their representatives who govern the nation. This right
is universal.
2. At the same time they have, right to change the rulers or representatives
after a fixed period, if they are not happy with the government.
3. So, democratic government’s selection, governance and change revolve
around the people’s wishes.
Q5. Explain the relationship between free and fair election and democracy.
Ans: Democracy leads to formation of democratic government, which is based on
principle of free elections.
1. Free election ensures that anyone who is 18 years and above has a right to
vote without any discrimination. Anyone can stand in an election as
prescribed by the law of the land.
2. Whereas fair election guarantees that every individual votes according to
their wish and will.
3. The voters are not under any undue influence and election is free from all
kinds of mall practice and rigging.
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