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Class 10 Civics Notes - Challenges to Democracy

THINKING ABOUT CHALLENGES AND POLITICAL REFORMS

  1. How do we define a challenge?
  2. A challenge means a situation that requires some action. It is a difficulty which has to be overcome.
  3. Broad challenges to democracy are—
    Class 10 Civics Notes - Challenges to Democracy
    (i) Foundational challenges: Some countries had to face the challenge of transition to the  democratic style of government. They had to have laws and policies that would be followed in a democratic set-up.  
    (ii) Challenge of expansion: Countries which are already democratic face the challenge of   expanding it to all social groups and regions. All institutions should follow democracy  in their functioning.
    (iii) Deepening of democracy: It means strengthening those institutions that have people’s  
     participation and control. It means bringing down the control of the rich and the powerful people in making government decisions.
  4. Different countries have different challenges.
  5. Challenges to democracy have to be dealt at the local or state level. All reforms cannot be made at the national level.
  6. Devising ways and means for political reforms in India.

Fig: Challenges faced by democracyFig: Challenges faced by democracy

A.(i) One way is legal reform, making new laws to ban undesirable things.
(ii) But legal-constitutional changes cannot overcome challenges to democracy.
(iii) The reforms have to be carried out mainly by political activists, parties, movements and politically conscious citizens.

B. Legal changes sometimes have a counter-productive result. But laws which empower people to carry out democratic reforms are best, e.g. the Right to Information Act.
C. Democratic reforms are spread or brought about through political practice. Main focus of political reforms is strengthening democracy.
D. While proposing a political reform, one should be very clear about who will implement it and how. Political parties and MPs will never vote for a legislation that is against their interests.

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What is the main focus of political reforms?
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CASE STUDY
Political funding
Challenge: On an average, every candidate who contested the last Lok Sabha elections owned a property of more than one crore. There is a fear that only wealthy people or those with their support can afford to fight elections. Most of the political parties are dependent on money given by big business houses. The worry is that the role of money in politics will reduce whatever little voice the poor have in our democracy.
Reform proposals:

  1. The financial accounts of every political party should be made public. These accounts should be examined by government auditors.
  2. There should be state funding of elections. Parties should be given some money by the government to meet their election expenditure.
  3. Citizens should be encouraged to give more donations to parties and to political workers. Such donations should be exempt from income tax.

Reform Politics: One cannot blame politicians for all the ills of our country. The politicians are no more corrupt than government officials, contractors or any middle-class professionals, politicians, but get more publicity. Laws cannot stop politicians, if they want to be corrupt. Only people and politicians together can stop corruption in politics and overcome wrong practices (e.g. appeals to caste and community).
Redefining Democracy- 

Class 10 Civics Notes - Challenges to Democracy

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1. What are the main challenges to democracy in contemporary societies?
Ans. The main challenges to democracy in contemporary societies include the rise of authoritarian regimes, the spread of misinformation and fake news, political polarization, erosion of civil liberties, and the influence of money in politics. These factors can undermine democratic institutions and citizen engagement.
2. How does political polarization affect democratic processes?
Ans. Political polarization can create a divide among citizens, leading to decreased willingness to compromise and increased hostility towards opposing viewpoints. This can result in gridlock in governance, reduced collaboration across party lines, and a weakened ability to address pressing societal issues, ultimately threatening the stability of democratic systems.
3. What role does misinformation play in undermining democracy?
Ans. Misinformation can distort public perception and debate, leading to misinformed voters and undermining trust in democratic institutions. It can encourage divisive narratives, manipulate electoral outcomes, and create confusion about policies, making it difficult for citizens to make informed decisions.
4. In what ways can civil liberties be threatened in a democratic context?
Ans. Civil liberties can be threatened through government surveillance, censorship of free speech, restrictions on assembly and protest, and discriminatory laws. When such liberties are curtailed, it limits citizens' ability to express dissent, participate in governance, and hold leaders accountable, which are essential for a functioning democracy.
5. How can citizens contribute to strengthening democracy in the face of these challenges?
Ans. Citizens can strengthen democracy by being informed voters, actively participating in civic activities, promoting dialogue and understanding across different viewpoints, advocating for transparency and accountability in government, and supporting organizations that work to protect democratic rights and freedoms. Engaging in grassroots movements can also help amplify their voices and influence policy changes.
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