Textbook Solutions: Democracy | Window on the Word Class 7: Solutions, Notes & Worksheets PDF Download

A. Choose the correct answer.

1.
Ans: (a)

2.
Ans: (d)

3.
Ans: (b)

4.
Ans: (b)

B. Fill in the blanks.

1.
Ans: Ancient Athenian democracy is the earliest form of democracy.

2.
Ans: A form of government in which a group of religious leaders rule in the name of god is called theocracy.

3.
Ans: Germany under Hitler is an example of an authoritarian government.

4.
Ans: The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao initiative has helped many girls to get an education.

C. Mark the following as True or False. Correct the ones that are false.

1.
Ans: False
In a constitutional monarchy, the ruler does not have full authority. The constitution limits their powers.

2.
Ans: True
Direct democracies are possible only in small societies.

3.
Ans: False
India and the USA are examples of indirect or representative democracies, not direct democracy.

4.
Ans: True
In an authoritarian government, rulers have all the power, while the people have almost no rights and freedom.

5.
Ans: False
USSR is no longer a country. It was a communist government, but it dissolved in 1991. Now, its largest former constituent republic, Russia, has a mixed constitution but is widely considered to have an authoritarian government.

D. Answer In one or two sentences.

1.
Ans: A government is the body that rules over a country or a state and is responsible for making laws, maintaining order in society, and providing amenities like healthcare, good roads, railways, housing, drinking water, electricity, and parks.

2.
Ans: Theocracy is a form of government where a group of religious leaders rule in the name of god and governance is based on the principles of that religion, examples of which include Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the Vatican City.

3.
Ans: A dictator is a ruler who assumes power by force and holds absolute power and control over the government and the people, denying them their rights and freedoms, as seen in Germany under Hitler and Pakistan under Zia ul-Haq.

4.
Ans: The difference between a monarchy and a dictatorship is that in a monarchy, a king or queen rules and power is often transferred hereditarily, while in a dictatorship, one person assumes power by force and exercises absolute control over the people.

5.
Ans: The government of India has abolished untouchability, ensured political, economic, and social equality for the dalits, reserved seats for them in Parliament, higher education institutions, government jobs, and in public sector companies to protect their dignity.

E. Answer in a paragraph.

1.
Ans: An authoritarian government is a type of government where power is held by one person or a group of people who have not been elected by the people of the country. The rulers possess all the power, while the citizens have almost no rights or freedoms. There are different types of authoritarian governments like monarchy, theocracy, oligarchy, and dictatorship. In a monarchy, one ruler rules over the people and power is usually transferred hereditarily. In a theocracy, a group of religious leaders rule in the name of god, basing governance on the principles of their religion. An oligarchy is a government run by a small group of powerful or wealthy people. In a dictatorship, one person assumes power by force and exercises absolute control over the government and the people.

2.
Ans: Direct and indirect democracies are distinguished based on the level of public participation in decision-making. In a direct democracy, people take part in all discussions and participate in decision-making directly. This form of democracy is possible only in small societies, for example, Ancient Greece. In contrast, an indirect or representative democracy is one where the government is run by representatives chosen by the people. The people choose their representatives by voting for them in elections. Examples of this type of democracy include India and the USA.

3.
Ans: Democracy is the most popular form of government in the world today because it guarantees citizens a say in the decisions taken by the government. People choose their representatives through elections, thus holding ultimate political authority. In a democracy, everyone is equal in the eyes of the law, fundamental rights are protected, and laws are in place to limit the power of the government. Moreover, a democratic government consists of three branches—legislature, executive, and judiciary—that operate alongside each other, ensuring that no one becomes too powerful. Lastly, democracies have systems in place to accommodate the needs of different sections of society and resolve conflicts.

4.
Ans: The separation of powers is important in a democracy to prevent the concentration of power in one body and the misuse of power. It divides the government into three branches—the legislature, executive, and judiciary—that operate alongside each other, keeping a check on one another. This division makes it difficult for a person or a group of people in the government to become too powerful and establish authoritarian rule.

5.
Ans: Accommodating differences is important for the functioning of democracies because it ensures that the rights, values, and sentiments of all groups and communities are respected. It allows for the peaceful settlement of differences through dialogue and negotiation, thus promoting social harmony and preventing conflict.

6.
Ans: The Indian government has taken several measures to uplift the conditions of the socially and economically disadvantaged people of India. Firstly, the Constitution of India ensures political, economic, and social equality for each of its citizens, granting the right to vote to every citizen above the age of 18. Secondly, the government has put in place certain mechanisms and launched programmes for the welfare of disadvantaged groups. Lastly, the government has abolished untouchability, reserved seats for people belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in Parliament, institutions of higher education, government jobs, and in public sector companies, and launched initiatives like the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao to ensure the rights of the girl child.