Democracy in the Contemporary World - Class 9, Social Science Civics PDF Download

Ans. Democracy is a form of government where power is vested in the people, who exercise it directly or through elected representatives. In the contemporary world, democracy operates through the process of elections, where citizens vote to elect their representatives. These representatives make decisions on behalf of the people and are accountable to them. Democracy also ensures the protection of individual rights and freedoms, the rule of law, and the principle of equality.

Ans. The key features of democracy in the contemporary world include: 1. Universal Adult Franchise: All adult citizens have the right to vote and participate in the electoral process. 2. Regular Elections: Elections are held at regular intervals to ensure the accountability of the government and provide an opportunity for people to choose their representatives. 3. Rule of Law: The government and its officials are bound by the law, and no one is above the law. 4. Protection of Fundamental Rights: Democracy ensures the protection of individual rights and freedoms, such as freedom of speech, expression, religion, and the right to equality. 5. Independent Judiciary: An independent judiciary ensures the impartial interpretation and enforcement of laws.

Ans. Democracy promotes equality in the contemporary world in several ways: 1. Universal Adult Franchise: The principle of universal adult franchise ensures that every citizen, regardless of their social or economic status, has an equal right to vote and participate in the democratic process. 2. Protection of Fundamental Rights: Democracy guarantees the protection of fundamental rights, including the right to equality. Discrimination based on caste, gender, religion, or any other factor is not permissible. 3. Social Welfare Policies: Democratic governments often implement social welfare policies to reduce socio-economic inequalities. These policies aim to provide equal opportunities and access to education, healthcare, and other essential services. 4. Reservation Policies: Many democracies have reservation policies that seek to uplift marginalized sections of society. These policies provide reserved seats or quotas in educational institutions and government jobs to ensure representation and equal opportunities for historically disadvantaged groups. 5. Accountability and Transparency: In a democracy, governments are accountable to the people. Transparent decision-making processes and mechanisms for public participation ensure that policies and actions are fair and do not perpetuate inequalities.

Ans. Democracy in the contemporary world faces several challenges, including: 1. Corruption: Corruption undermines the principles of democracy by eroding trust in institutions and diverting resources away from public welfare. 2. Political Polarization: Increasing political polarization and the rise of extremist ideologies can create divisions within societies and hinder effective governance. 3. Inequality: Despite efforts to promote equality, many democracies still struggle with socio-economic inequalities, which can lead to political unrest and discontent among marginalized groups. 4. Threats to Freedom of Expression: Freedom of expression is crucial for a functioning democracy, but it can be threatened by censorship, restrictions on the media, and online surveillance. 5. Populism and Authoritarianism: The rise of populist leaders and authoritarian tendencies in some democracies poses a challenge to democratic values and institutions.

Ans. Democracy differs from other forms of government in the contemporary world in the following ways: 1. Popular Participation: Democracy emphasizes the active participation of citizens in decision-making through voting, public debates, and other forms of political engagement. Other forms of government may not involve public participation to the same extent. 2. Protection of Individual Rights: Democracy prioritizes the protection of individual rights and freedoms, such as freedom of speech, expression, and religion. Other forms of government may prioritize stability or the interests of the ruling elite over individual rights. 3. Accountability: Democracy ensures that the government is accountable to the people through regular elections and mechanisms for oversight. Other forms of government may lack such accountability measures. 4. Rule of Law: Democracy upholds the rule of law, meaning that the government and its officials are bound by the law and cannot act arbitrarily. In other forms of government, the rule of law may not be as strongly emphasized. 5. Power Distribution: Democracy seeks to distribute power among different branches of government and prevent the concentration of power in the hands of a few. Other forms of government may concentrate power in a single individual or ruling party.