Worksheet Solution: What is Democracy? Why Democracy? Class 9 Worksheet Civics Chapter 1

Q.1. Which two countries of the world have allowed the ruling parties to contest elections?

China and Mexico.

Q.2. Name the ruler who had established dictatorship in Germany?

Adolf Hitler.

Q.3. Write a drawback of the electoral system of Fiji?

In Fiji, the value of the vote of the indigenous Fiji is more as comparison to an Indian Fijian.

Q.4. Why are quality decisions always possible in a democracy?

Because democratic decisions always involves many persons, discussions and meetings.

Q.5. Name a country which has multi-party system.

India.

Q.6. Democracy comes from which Greek word?

Greek word, “Demokrati”.

Q.7. Name the country where women are not allowed to take part in the election.

Saudi Arabia.

Q.8. What dirty practices were used by IRP to win the elections in Mexico?

The PRI was known to use many dirty tricks to win elections.
All those who were employed in government offices had to attend its party meetings.
Teachers of government schools used to force parents to vote for the PRI.
Media largely ignored the activities of opposition political parties except to criticize them.

Q.9. Why is democracy considered the best form of government?

Democracy provides the method to deal with differences and conflict.
Democracy allows us to correct its own mistakes.
Democracy improves the quality of decision making.
Democracy enhances the dignity of citizens.

Q.10. Who was Robert Mugabe?

Robert Mugabe was the leader of ZANU-PH.

Robert Mugabe has been ruling the country since independence. Elections have beenheld regularly and always won by ZANU-PH.

President Mugabe is popular but also uses unfair practices in elections.

Over the years his government has changed the constitutional several times toincrease the powers of the President and make him less accountable.

Opposition party workers are harassed and their meeting disrupted.

Q.11. Assess any three conditions that applied to the way a democratic government is run after the elections.

People should have the freedom to express their views.

They should have freedom to form associations and to protest also.

Country is governed by the constitutional law.

Everyone should be equal in the eye of law.

People’s rights should be respected and it must be protected by law.

Q.12. How far is it correct to say that respect for citizen’s rights were not followed in Pakistan. Explain.

Yes, it is correct to say that respect for citizen’s rights were not followed in Pakistan.

In August 2002 he issued legal framework order that amended the constitution of Pakistan.

According to this order, the President can dismiss the national and provincial assemblies.

The work of the civilian cabinet is supervised by the National Security Council which is dominated by military officers.

Q.13. What are the features of a good democracy?

Every citizen must be able to play equal role in decision making.

An equal right to vote is not enough; people need to have equal information, basic education, and equal resources.

Good democracy will come only when no one goes hungry to bed.

When every person has employment and accessibility of basic needs.

Q.14. What is responsible government?

Democratic government is a responsible government.

The representatives elected by the people so it remains responsible towards people.

In case they do not remain responsible before the people can change them during the next elections.

Q.15. What do you understand by room for correction?

It is only in democracy that mistakes are admitted and all attempts are made to correct these mistakes.

If mistakes are made it is only in democracy that they are admitted and then corrected.

In democracy thus there is a room for correction.

Q.16. Write any five features of Non Democratic government.

(i) People do not enjoy political rights or they have every limited right.

(ii) Elections are not held in a free and fair manner. People face many restrictions.

(iii) People are not allowed to participate in the functioning of decision making.

(iv) Government is not accountable and responsive to the needs of people.

(v) People are never considered rulers or dignified citizens. They are treated as subjects.

Q.17. How far it is correct to say that the government of PRI in Mexico was a non democratic government? Give arguments.

The government made by International Revolutionary Party id Mexico was not a democratic government. It works against the principles of democracy.

The PRI was known to use many dirty tricks to win the elections.

All those who are employed in government offices had to attend its party meetings.

Teachers of government schools used to force parents to vote for PRI.

Opposition parties did contest elections but never manage to win.

Media largely ignored the activities of opposition political parties except to criticize them.

Sometimes the polling booths were shifted from one place to another in the last minute, which made it difficult for people to cast their vote.

Q.18. “Elections in china do not offer people a real choice.” Explain.

In China elections are held regularly after every five years for electing the country’s parliament, called Quanguo Renmin Daibiao Dahu (National People’s Congress).

The national People’s Congress has the power to appoint the President of country.

Before contesting elections, candidate needs the approval of the Chinese Communist Party.

Only those who are members of the Chinese Communist Party or eight smaller parties allied to it were allowed to contest elections held in 2001-03.

The government is always formed by communist party.

Q.19. “Democracy improves the quality of decision making” .Explain.

Democracy is based on consultation and discussion.

A democratic decision always involves many persons, discussion and meeting.

When a number of people put together they are able to point out possible mistakes in any decision.

This reduces the chances of rash or irresponsible decision.

Thus democracy improves the quality of decision making.

Q.20. Is it good to elect a President for life or is it better to hold regular elections after every five years? Give reasons.

No, it is not good to elect a President for life. But it is certainly better to hold regular elections after a fixed tenure, which should be of five years.

Rulers elected by the people can take final decision on all the major issues.

Such elections offer a choice and fair opportunity to the people to change the current rulers.

This choice and opportunity is available to all the people on an equal basis.

The exercise of this choice leads to a government limited by basic rules of the constitution and citizens’ right.