Class 9 Civics Chapter 1 Question Answers - What is Democracy?

Q1: Give Abraham Lincoln’s definition of democracy.
Ans: “Democracy is government of the people, by the people and for the people”.

Q2: The word democracy comes from a Greek word ‘Demokratia’. What does it mean? Or what is the word ‘democracy’ derived from?
Ans: The word ‘Demokratia’ is a combination of two words—‘demos’ which means people and ‘Kratia’ which means rule. So, democracy is rule by the people.

Q3: Give a simple definition of ‘democracy’.
Ans: Democracy is a form of government in which the rulers are elected by the people.

Q4: Who led a military coup in Pakistan in 1999?
Ans: General Pervez Musharraf led a military coup in Pakistan in 1999.

Q5: What is the Chinese parliament called?
Ans: It is called Quanguo Renmin Daibiao Dahui (National People’s Congress).

Q6: Which party in China always forms the government?
Ans: The Communist Party always forms the government in China.

Q7: When did Mexico become independent?
Ans: Mexico became independent in 1930.

Q8: Holding elections of any kind is not sufficient. What must the elections offer?
Ans: The elections must offer a real choice between political alternatives. And it should be possible for people to use this choice to remove the existing rulers if they wish so.

Q9: Which party rules in Zimbabwe?
Ans: ZANU-PF, the party that led the freedom struggle, rules in Zimbabwe.

Q10: Who is the leader of ZANU-PF?
Ans: Robert Mugabe is the leader of this party.

Q11: What is called dictatorship?
Ans: A dictator is a ruler who wields absolute power. A state ruled by a dictator is called a dictatorship.

Q12: What leads to instability in a democracy? Give one reason.
Ans: Leaders keep changing in a democracy. This leads to instability.

Q13: What was the designation taken by Pervez Musharraf for himself when he overthrew the democratic government of Pakistan in 1999?
Ans: He declared himself the ‘Chief Executive’ of Pakistan. Later he changed his designation to President.

Q14: What is meant by political equality?
Ans: Political equality means that in a democracy, each adult citizen must have one vote and each vote must have one value.

Q15: What may have averted China’s famine of 1958-1961?
Ans: If China had multi-party elections, an opposition party, and a press free to criticize the government, then China’s famine of 1958-1961 may not have occurred.

Q16: Name one non-democratic country.
Ans: China.

Q17: What do you mean when you talk about true democracy?
Ans: True democracy means that all citizens must take active participation in it.

Q18: Give one feature of a non-democratic government.
Ans: A non-democratic government denies equal right to vote. Also, it does not respond to the people’s needs.

Q19: What is meant by representative democracy?
Ans: It is a form of government where representatives elected by people, rule them on their behalf.

Q20: Which form of government is considered non-democratic?
Ans: Military rule or monarchy is considered non-democratic.

Q21: Which country does not give voting rights to minorities?
Ans: Estonia does not give voting rights to minorities.

Q22: Why is quality decision-making a possibility in a democracy?
Ans: A democratic decision always involves many persons, discussions, and meetings. This improves the quality of decision-making.

Q23: During which period did China record its worst famines in world history?
Ans: China recorded its worst famine during 1958-1961. Nearly 3 crore people died in this famine.

Q24: Which party is associated with Zimbabwe’s freedom struggle?
Ans: It is ZANU-PF.

Q25: Suggest the strongest argument in favor of Democracy?
Ans: It allows a way of correcting its mistakes and offers more dignity to all citizens.