Important Questions (1 mark): What Is Democracy? Why Democracy? - Class 9 MCQ

Democracy is a term derived from the ancient Greek word demokratia, which translates to "rule by the people." This concept is fundamental to understanding how democratic systems operate.

• Demos means "people."
• Kratia means "rule" or "power."

Thus, democracy signifies that power is held by the people, emphasising their role in governance. This definition highlights the importance of citizen participation in the political process, distinguishing democracy from other forms of government.

The most common form that democracy takes in our times is that of a representative democracy.

In democracies, not everyone rules directly. Instead, a majority makes decisions on behalf of the entire population. Here are some key points:

• The majority does not rule directly.
• Decisions are made through elected representatives.
• This system allows for more manageable governance.
• It helps ensure that diverse views are represented.

Thus, representative democracy is the prevalent form of democracy today.

The head of the government in Nepal is the:

The head of the government in Nepal is the Prime Minister. This role involves:

• Leading the executive branch of the government.
• Implementing laws and policies.
• Representing Nepal in international affairs.
• Working with the parliament to pass legislation.

The Prime Minister is appointed by the President, who is the ceremonial head of state.

• General Pervez Musharraf led a military coup in Pakistan in 1999. Following the coup, he became the President.
• In 2002, he introduced the 'Legal Framework Order', which amended the Constitution of Pakistan. This Order allowed the President to dissolve national or provincial assemblies
• After implementing this law, elections were held for the national and provincial assemblies. Although people elected their representatives, Pakistan was not fully democratic. The assemblies elected by the public had limited powers, as the ultimate authority rested with military officers and General Musharraf himself. He retained the right to dismiss these assemblies.

In August 2002, Musharraf issued a Legal Framework Order that amended the Constitution of Pakistan. This Order granted the President the power to:

• Dismiss the National Assemblies.
• Dismiss the Provincial Assemblies.

Thus, the President had significant authority over the legislative bodies in the country.

The history of Poland from 1945 to 1989 was marked by communist rule imposed by the Soviets following World War II. During this time:

• The local representatives had limited power.
• Real authority lay with the Soviet Union and external influences.

The Iraq War, which began in 2003, involved a United States-led coalition that:

• Overthrew Saddam Hussein's government.
• Led to a prolonged conflict, as an insurgency developed against the occupying forces.
• Resulted in a new Iraqi government that struggled with legitimacy.

In both cases, external powers exercised significant control, overshadowing local governance.

One person, one vote refers to a voting system where:

• Every individual has the right to cast their vote.
• Each vote holds equal value in the decision-making process.
• It ensures that no person's vote is more significant than another's.

This principle promotes fairness and equality in democratic processes.

The National People’s Congress (NPC) has approximately 3,000 delegates. These delegates are elected through a multi-tiered representative electoral system for a term of five years.

The Chinese electoral system does not allow for genuine democratic choice. Key points include:

• The Communist Party is the only party that can form the government.
• Candidates must receive approval from the Communist Party before they can run for election.
• This system limits the options available to voters, as they can only choose from candidates endorsed by the ruling party.
• Consequently, the elections do not reflect a true democratic process.

Therefore, Correct Answer - Option B

Since its independence in 1930, Mexico held presidential elections every six years. Until 2000, the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) won every election. This dominance was due to various unfair practices, including:

• Utilising manipulative tactics to secure votes.
• Requiring government employees to attend mandatory meetings.
• Pressuring teachers to influence parents to vote for the PRI.
• Controlling the media to shape public perception.

As a result, Mexico could not genuinely be considered a democracy until after 2000.

Democracy must be based on free and fair elections:

In a democracy, leaders should be chosen by the people. However, several factors determine the authenticity of this process:

• In some countries, such as Pakistan, decisions are often made by military officials rather than elected representatives.
• In others, like China, elections occur but only one party, the Chinese Communist Party, is permitted to participate.
• These situations illustrate that holding elections does not necessarily equate to being a true democracy.

Thus, for a country to be genuinely democratic, it must ensure that elections are not only held but also fair and inclusive.

The country gained official independence as Zimbabwe on 18 April 1980. The government held independence celebrations in Rufaro stadium in Salisbury, the capital.

The Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) has governed Zimbabwe since its independence in 1980. Initially, it was led by Robert Mugabe, who served as Prime Minister before becoming President in 1987. This transition followed the merger with the Zimbabwe African People's Union. Mugabe remained in power until his removal in 2017.

• Popular governments may be undemocratic.
• This can occur when elected officials misuse their power to influence mass media, such as newspapers and television, to only broadcast positive coverage of their administration. Additionally, they may exploit state power to manipulate local and national elections, threaten opposition parties, and restrict their ability to operate freely. In some cases, the government may also pressure judges to rule in its favour.
• A notable example is the government led by President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe. Despite his popularity, his party, ZANU-PF, has dominated the country since independence. Elections are conducted regularly, but Mugabe consistently wins through unfair practices. Meetings of opposition parties are often disrupted, preventing them from protesting against the government. Media outlets controlled by Mugabe provide news that favours the ruling party, while journalists supporting opposition parties face harassment. The judiciary has also been coerced into making rulings that benefit the government.
• This situation in Zimbabwe exemplifies how popular governments can operate in an undemocratic manner.

The following rights ensure that each individual has equal rights and the freedom to exercise them:

• Freedom of thought: Citizens should be free to think independently.
• Freedom of association: Citizens should be able to form associations freely.
• Right to protest: Citizens should have the right to raise protests.

All of these features are essential for providing basic rights to citizens.

The separation of powers is essential for ensuring the independence of the judiciary. It guarantees that judges can make decisions without outside influence. Key points include:

• Judicial independence: Judges must have the freedom to decide cases based on their understanding of the law.
• Impartial decision-making: They should evaluate cases fairly, considering only the relevant facts.
• No undue influence: Judges should operate without restrictions or pressures from external sources.

This independence helps protect the rights of citizens by ensuring fair and unbiased judgments.

Democracy allows people to select their leaders and ensure they are held accountable for their actions and policies. Here are some key principles of a democratic government:

• Respecting the rights and guarantees of minorities is essential.
• All significant decisions must undergo a series of consultations.
• Office-bearers must be accountable to the public.
• Office-bearers have specific responsibilities to fulfil.

Therefore, the statement that office-bearers are not accountable contradicts the core principles of democracy.

Constitution: The fundamental legal document that outlines how a country's government operates. It includes basic laws and rules that define the main governmental organs, their jurisdictions, and the basic rights of citizens.

• The Constitution serves as the supreme law of the land.
• It establishes the structure of government and the relationship between different branches.
• It guarantees essential rights to individuals.
• Amendments to the Constitution can be made to adapt to changing needs.

Rule of law makes no distinction between any citizen; it provides an equal basis for all, from a worker to the Prime Minister.

Key points include:

• Every individual, regardless of position, is subject to the law.
• The Prime Minister can be held accountable and punished for violating the Constitution.
• This principle ensures fairness and justice in governance.

Drawbacks of Democracy:

• Instability: Frequent changes in leadership can cause instability.
• Corruption: The competitive nature of politics may lead to corruption.
• Delays: The need for widespread consultation can result in delays in decision-making.
• Self-interest: Elected leaders may not always act in the best interest of the public.
• Lack of knowledge: Ordinary citizens may not always understand what is best for them.
• Conflict: Politicians often engage in conflicts, hindering progress.