GRADE 9
CIVICS CHAPTER-1. WHAT IS DEMOCRACY ? WHY DEMOCRACY?
MIND MAP:
Glossary:
1. Democracy: A system of government where power is vested in the
people.
2. Representation: The act of representing or speaking on behalf of
others
3. Accountability: The responsibility of government officials to
answer to the
People.
4. Participation: The involvement of citizens in the decision-making
process.
5. Equality: The state of being equal in rights, status, and
opportunities.
6. Justice: The principle of fairness and impartiality in the application
of laws.
7. Rule of law: The principle that all individuals, institutions, and
government officials are subject to the law.
8. Monarchy: A form of government where a single person, the monarch, rules, often
with hereditary succession.
9. Mandate: The authority given to a government or leader by the people, typically
expressed through elections.
10. Dictatorship: is a form of government where one person or a small group
holds absolute power, with little or no input from citizens.
I. SHORT QUESTION AND ANSWERS:
Q1. What is democracy?
Ans. Democracy is a form of government where the people have the authority to choose their
governing legislators in free and fair elections.
Q2. What are the main features of democracy?
Ans. Key features include equality of all citizens before the law, freedom of expression and
assembly, participation of citizens in decision-making, and respect for minority rights.
Q3. How does democracy promote political stability?
Ans. Democracy promotes stability by allowing peaceful transitions of power through elections,
ensuring accountability of leaders to citizens, and providing mechanisms for resolving conflicts
peacefully.
Q4. What are the different forms of democracy?
Ans. Forms include direct democracy (where citizens directly participate in decision-making),
representative democracy (where citizens elect representatives to make decisions), and variations
like parliamentary and presidential systems.
Q5. What are the challenges to democracy?
Ans. Challenges may include inequality, corruption, and political apathy, threats to freedom of
speech and assembly, and difficulties in maintaining effective governance amidst diverse interests.
Q6. What are minority rights in a democracy?
Answer: Minority rights refer to the protection of the rights and freedoms of smaller groups,
ensuring they are not oppressed by the majority.
Q7. What is the difference between democracy and dictatorship?
Answer: In a democracy, power is held by the people through elections, while in a
dictatorship, power is concentrated in the hands of one person or a small group.
Q8. What does the term "rule of law" mean in a democracy?
Answer: The rule of law means that all individuals, including leaders , are subject to the law,
ensuring fairness and equality in society.
II. Long Question and answer in Detail: (Competency based questions :)
Q1. Explain the concept of democracy and why it is considered the best form of government.
Answer: [Link] is a form of government where the power to make decisions is vested in the
people, either directly or through elected representatives.
2. It ensures political equality, where every citizen has the right to vote, participate in elections, and
voice their opinions.
3Democracy is considered the best form of government because it allows citizens to have a say in
their governance, ensures accountability, and protects individual rights and freedoms.
4. By electing their leaders, people can ensure that the government works for their welfare and
upholds justice.
[Link] and contrast direct democracy and representative democracy. Which system do you
think is more practical in today’s world? Why?
Answer:
Direct Democracy allows citizens to directly participate in decision-making. Every citizen has
the right to vote on laws and policies, and no elected representatives are involved. This
system works well in small communities but becomes impractical in large, complex societies
where decisions affect millions of people.
Representative Democracy is the system most commonly practiced today, where citizens
elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf. It is more practical in large nations
because it ensures that decision-making is efficient and that experts manage complex issues.
In today's world, representative democracy is more practical because it balances citizen
participation with the need for efficient governance. It ensures that representatives are accountable
to the people through regular elections.
Q3. How does democracy ensure accountability in government? Provide examples of mechanisms
in a democracy that help hold leaders accountable.
Answer:
Democracy ensures accountability by creating mechanisms where leaders can be held responsible
for their actions and decisions. Some of these mechanisms include:
Elections: Leaders are elected for a fixed term, and if the people are dissatisfied with their
performance, they can vote them out in the next election.
Judicial Oversight: Courts in a democracy can check the actions of the government to ensure
they are constitutional and do not violate citizens' rights.
Free Press: A free and independent media holds the government accountable by reporting
on issues of corruption, injustice, and policies that do not serve the public good.
Public Participation: Citizens can actively participate through protests, petitions, and public
discussions, pressuring the government to act in their best interests.
For example, in India, the Right to Information Act (RTI) allows citizens to request information from
the government, increasing transparency and accountability.
Q4. Imagine a country where the government controls all media and restricts freedom of speech.
Do you think this country can still be considered a democracy? Why or why not?
Answer: [Link], this country cannot be considered a democracy. Democracy requires certain
fundamental freedoms, including freedom of speech and freedom of the press, which allow citizens
to express their opinions and hold the government accountable.
2. If the government controls all media and restricts freedom of speech, it undermines these
essential democratic principles.
3. In such a scenario, the government could operate without checks and balances, and citizens would
not be able to participate fully in the democratic process.
Q5. Why do you think democracy is better than authoritarianism in promoting individual rights
and freedoms? Use examples to support your answer.
Answer: [Link] is better than authoritarianism in promoting individual rights and freedoms
because in a democracy, power is vested in the people, and leaders are accountable to the citizens.
2. Democracies protect the rights of individuals through constitutional guarantees and the rule of
law.
3. For example, in India, the Fundamental Rights ensure freedom of speech, equality before the law,
and the right to life and liberty.
4. In contrast, in authoritarian regimes, the government has unchecked power, and people’s
freedoms are often suppressed.
5. For example, in many authoritarian countries, citizens are not allowed to express dissent or
protest against the government.
In a democracy, mechanisms like the judiciary and elections help safeguard individual rights,
ensuring that the government respects citizens' freedoms.
