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Democracy in the contemporary world ?
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Two Tales Of Democracy

Chile -

Salvador Allende Was president of Chlle, a south American country. He was pro poor and workers. He was opposed from rich, landlords. Even America was unhappy with him

There was military coup led by General Augusto Pinochet, in which Allende was killed. Pinochet rules Chile for almost 18 years in autocratic style. Finally democracy returned to Chile when Michelle Bachelet was elected as President.

Poland –

Poland was ruled by Polish United workers Party, a non democratic communist government. Some workers led by Lech Walesa went on strike for their just demands. Initially government negotiated but later the ruler General Jeruzelesky imposed martial law in the country. He was backed by Soviet Russia.

Polish people continued their struggle and finally Lech Walesa was elected democratically as the President of Poland.

Two Features of Democracy..


Democracy, hence, is a form of government that allows people to choose their own leaders.
People have the freedom to express their views, freedom to organize and freedom to protest against injustice.
The March of Democracy has met with setbacks and successes throughout history.
In 1900 there were only a few democratic states. After the Second World War, in 1950, more countries were added. The newly independent nations of Asia chose democracy. In 1975 colonies in Africa had become independent and most of them chose democracy as a form of government. A giant leap was taken in 1991. The fall of the Soviet Union created 15 new states and more democracies.

Phases in the Expansion of Democracy

By 2005, 140 countries have held multi-party elections. More than 80 countries have made advances towards democracy since 1980.
Stills there are many countries where people cannot elect their leaders. In Myanmar the elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been imprisoned by the military rulers (1990). No amount of international support has helped in her release.
After second world war many colonial nations were freed and most of them adopted democratic style of government.
Some of the democratic experiments were not successful.

Democracy at Global Level..

Is it possible to have democracy at global level? Not at present.
The UN, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank are global associations of the world. They attempt to maintain peace and security among the countries of the world. They give loans and money to governments.
They are not fully democratic. Five countries — US, UK, France, China and Russia — have the veto power in the Security Council.
International Monetary Fund (IMF) is controlled by wealthy ten nations and President of world bank has been always an American. This is against democratic principles.
Promotion of Democracy

Many powerful countries like the United States of America believe that democracy should be promoted in the world — even by force.
Powerful countries have launched attacks on non-democratic countries.
Iraq is the biggest example. USA and its allies attacked and occupied Iraq without UN sanction, on the pretext of Iraq possessing nuclear weapons. They have even held forced elections.
The urge for democracy should come from the people and should not be imposed.
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FAQs on Democracy in the Contemporary World - Class 9, Social Science Civics

1. What is democracy and how does it function in the contemporary world?
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.
2. What are the key features of democracy in the contemporary world?
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.
3. How does democracy promote equality in the contemporary world?
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.
4. What are the challenges faced by democracy in the contemporary world?
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.
5. How is democracy different from other forms of government in the contemporary world?
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.
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