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1. The March of Democracy has met with setbacks and successes throughout history.

2. 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.

Fig. Democracy in contemporary worldFig. Democracy in contemporary worldTwo Tales of Democracy

  1. Many countries struggled for democracy, suffered setbacks. In Chile, the democratic government of Allende was overthrown in 1973, and Pinochet became the military ruler. Democracy was restored again in Chile in 1988. In Poland, a non-democratic country, a one party rule was replaced by democracy under Lech Walesa.

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What event in 1991 led to the creation of more democracies?
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Two Features of Democracy

  1. Democracy, hence, is a form of government that allows people to choose their own leaders.
  2. People have the freedom to express their views, freedom to organise and freedom to protest against injustice.

Phases in the Expansion of Democracy

  1. By 2005, 140 countries have held multi-party elections. More than 80 countries have made advances towards democracy since 1980.
  2. 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.Fig. unity a key feature of democracyFig. unity a key feature of democracy

Democracy at Global Level

  1. Is it possible to have democracy at global level? Not at present.
  2. 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.
  3. They are not fully democratic. Five countries — US, UK, France, China and Russia — have the veto power in the Security Council. The World Bank has a US President always and the International Monetary Fund is in the hands of seven powerful nations.

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What are two features of democracy?
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Promotion of Democracy

  1. Many powerful countries like the United States of America believe that democracy should be promoted in the world — even by force.
  2. Powerful countries have launched attacks on non-democratic countries.
  3. 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.
  4. The urge for democracy should come from the people and should not be imposed.
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FAQs on Key Concepts - Democracy in the Contemporary World - Civics for Class 9

1. What is democracy and why is it important?
Ans. Democracy is a form of government in which the power is vested in the people and is exercised through a system of representation involving free and fair elections. It is important because it guarantees individual freedom, promotes equality and justice, encourages participation and accountability, and allows for peaceful resolution of conflicts.
2. What are the different types of democracy?
Ans. There are several types of democracy, including direct democracy, representative democracy, presidential democracy, parliamentary democracy, and hybrid democracy. Direct democracy involves citizens directly participating in decision-making, while representative democracy involves citizens electing representatives to make decisions on their behalf. Presidential democracy has a separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches, while parliamentary democracy has a fusion of powers. Hybrid democracy combines elements of both presidential and parliamentary democracies.
3. How does democracy work in practice?
Ans. Democracy works through a system of checks and balances, where the government's power is divided into different branches and institutions, such as the legislature, executive, and judiciary. Citizens participate by exercising their right to vote and engaging in public debate and activism. The media and civil society also play an important role in holding government accountable and ensuring transparency.
4. What are the challenges to democracy in the contemporary world?
Ans. Some of the challenges to democracy in the contemporary world include the rise of authoritarianism, populism, and nationalism; the erosion of civil liberties and human rights; the increasing polarization and fragmentation of societies; the spread of disinformation and propaganda; and the impact of globalization and technological change.
5. How can we strengthen democracy in the contemporary world?
Ans. We can strengthen democracy in the contemporary world by promoting civic education and engagement, supporting independent media and civil society organizations, ensuring transparency and accountability in government, protecting civil liberties and human rights, and fostering inclusive and participatory decision-making processes. It is also important to address the underlying social, economic, and political factors that contribute to the erosion of democracy.
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