Important Questions (1 mark): What Is Democracy? Why Democracy? - Class 9 MCQ

The literal translation of "democracy" explains what the word means. Derived from the ancient Greek "demokratia," democracy literally means that power belongs to the people.

The most common form that democracy takes in our times is that of a representative democracy. In the countries we call democracy, all the people do not rule. A majority is allowed to take decisions on behalf of all the people. Even the majority does not rule directly. The majority of people rule through their elected representatives.

The Government of Nepal  is an executive body and the central government of Nepal. Prior to the abolition of the Nepali monarchy in 2008, it was officially known as His Majesty's Government.

The head of state is the President and the Prime Minister holds the position of the Head of executive. The role of President is largely ceremonial as the functioning of the government is managed entirely by the Prime Minister who is appointed by the Parliament.

The heads of constitutional bodies are appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Constitutional Council, with the exception of the Attorney General, who is appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.

General Pervez Musharraf led a military coup in pakistan in 1999. Later, he changed his designation to President. IN 2002, he issued a 'Legal Frame Work Order' which amended the Constitution of Pakistan. According to this Order, the President could dismiss the national or provincial assemblies. It was after passing this law that the elections were held to the national and provincial assemblies. People elected their representatives, but Pakistan was not a democratic country because the provincial and  national assemblies elected by people did not had much powers. Final power rested with military officers and General Musharraf. He also had the right to dismiss these assemblies. 

In August 2002, Musharraf issued a ‘Legal Framework Order’ that amended the Constitution of Pakistan. According to this Order, the President could dismiss the National and Provincial Assemblies.

The history of Poland from 1945 to 1989 spans the period of communist rule imposed by the Soviets over Poland after the end of World War II. The Iraq War was a protracted armed conflict that began in 2003 with the invasion of Iraq by a United States-led coalition that overthrew the government of Saddam Hussein. The conflict continued for much of the next decade as an insurgency emerged to oppose the occupying forces and the post-invasion Iraqi government.

One man one vote or one person one vote is a system of voting in which every person in a group or country has the right to cast their vote, and in which each individual's vote is counted and has equal value.

The NPC consists of about 3,000 delegates. Delegates to the National People's Congress are elected for five-year terms via a multi-tiered representative electoral system.

In china elections were held regularly after every 5 years for electing chinese national congress, here only the members of chinese communist party could participate so the government is always formed by the chinese communist party but in a democratic government there should be chances for those currently in power to lose also. Therefore it is not a true democracy.

Since its independence in 1930, in Mexico elections are held after 6 years to elect its president but till 2000 every election was won by PRI (Institutional Revolutionary Party). No opposition party won the elections because PRI used many dirty tricks to win the elections. All the government employs had to attend all the govt. meetings teachers were supposed to suppress the parents to vote PRI. PRI also controlled the media. 
Thus, we cannot say this type of system a democracy, at last we conclude that Mexico couldn't be called a democracy till 2000.

Democracy must be based on a free and fair elections : 
No doubt, in democracy, the rulers are to be elected by the people. But many more things have also to be kept in view. In many so called democratic countries, the final decisions do not rest with the elected people but with the army officials, as is the case in Pakistan. In some other countries, the elections are held but only one party is allowed to take part in the elections, as is the case with China where the Chinese Communist Party is allowed to take part in the elections. So such a country cannot be called a true democratic country in the true sense of the word, although elections are held there regularly.

The country gained official independence as Zimbabwe on 18 April 1980. The government held independence celebrations in Rufaro stadium in Salisbury, the capital.

The Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front has been the ruling party in Zimbabwe since independence in 1980. The party was led for many years under Robert Mugabe, first as Prime Minister with the Zimbabwe African National Union and then as President from 1987 after the merger with the Zimbabwe African People's Union and retaining the name ZANU–PF, until 2017 when he was removed as leader.

Popular governments may be undemocratic. It is because popularly elected governments may use its power and authority to influence means of mass communications such as newspapers and television to give only good reports about the working of the government. Elected governments may also use the power of the state for the local and national rig elections. Opposition parties may be threatened and may not be allowed to function independently. The government, sometimes, could pressurise the judges to give verdict in their favour.

One such example has been of the government headed by the President of Zimbabwe- Robert Mugabe. He is extremely popular and his party ZANU-PF has been ruling the country since independence. . Elections are held regularly but Mugabe always wins them because he uses unfair practices during elections. Often the meetings of the opposition parties are disrupted and are not allowed to protests against the government. Radio and television controlled by him only gives news regarding the ruling party. Journalists supporting the oppositions parties are harassed and even judiciary is sometimes forced to give decisions in favour of the government.

The example of Zimbabwe shows that popular governments may be undemocratic in nature. 

The following rights make sure each individual has equal rights and freedom to exercise their rights.

The separation of powers is a fundamental guarantee of the independence of the judiciary. In the decision-making process, judges should have freedom to decide cases impartially, in accordance with their interpretation of the law and the facts. They should be able to act without any restriction or improper influence.

Democracy is a means for the people to choose their leaders and to hold their leaders accountable for their policies and their conduct in office.

Constitution : The fundamental legal document according to which the government of a country functions. This contains the basic laws or set of rules which define the main organs and their jurisdiction as well as the basic rights of the citizen.

Rule of law makes no distinction between any citizen, it gives equal basis to a worker and Prime minister.

Drawbacks.

i. Leaders keep changing in a democracy. This leads to instability.

ii. Democracy is all about political competition and power play. There is noscope for morality.

iii. So many people have to be consulted in a democracy that leads to delays.

iv. Elected leaders dont know the best interest of people. It leads to baddecision.

v. Democracy leads to corruption for it is based on electoral competition.

vi. Ordinary people dont what is good for them they should not decideanything.