NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Social Science Civics Chapter 1 What is Democracy? Why Democracy?

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Q. Identify the appropriate reason for the issue of a ‘Legal Framework Order’ that amended the Constitution of Pakistan.

  • (a) President can dismiss the national and provincial assemblies.
  • (b) The Legislature could frame better law and order for the progress of the society.
  • (c) For the Communist Party to form the government
  • (d) To attain independence from the military rule of Pakistan.
  • Ans. (a) President can dismiss the national and provincial assemblies.

Q. In a country, the rights must be protected by:

  • (a) Independent judiciary
  • (b) Human Rights
  • (c) Supreme court
  • (d) Development Authority
  • Ans. (a) Independent judiciary

Q. A democratic government is a better government because it is more accountable form of government.

Ans. True

Q. 

COLUMN A COLUMN B
(1) Musharraf (a) Has been ruling Zimbawe till 2017 since independence.
(2) China (b) Until 2000 every election was won by a party called the PRI (Institutional Revolutionary Party).
(2) China (b) Until 2000 every election was won by a party called the PRI (Institutional Revolutionary Party).
(3) Robert Mugabe (c) Government is always formed by the Communist Party.
(4) Mexico (d) Led a military coup in October 1999.

Ans. (1)-(d), (2)-(c), (3)-(a), (4)-(b)

Q. How could China have controlled death during famines of 1958–1961?

Ans. Many people may not have died in China during the famine if it had multi-party elections, an opposition party and a press free to criticise the government.

Q. What is political equality?

Ans. Political equality is a feature of democracy where each adult citizen must have one vote and each vote must have one value.

Q. How does Abraham Lincon define democracy?

Ans. Democracy is a government of the people, by the people and for the people.

Q. Which type of party system is there in China?

Ans. China has one party system.

Q. Describe the four features of a democratic government.

Ans. The four features of a democratic form of government are:

  • (i) The final decision making power rests with those elected by the people.
  • (ii) It is based on free and fair election through which people can choose or change their current leaders.
  • (iii) Each adult citizen has one vote and each vote has one value.
  • (iv) It rules within the limits set by the constitution and citizens' rights.

Q. Why does it become necessary for majority of people to rule through their elected representatives?

Ans. It has become necessary for majority of people to rule through their elected representatives in a democracy because:

  • (i) Modern democracies involve such a large number of people that it is physically impossible for them to sit together and take a collective decision.
  • (ii) Even if they could, the citizens do not have the time, the desire or the skills to take part in all the decisions.

Q. Critically analyse the statement that democracy is not a magical solution for all the problems.

Ans. Democracy cannot be a magical solution for all the problems.

  • (i) Democracy as a form of government only ensures that people take their own decisions. It does not guarantee that the decisions will be for good. People can make mistakes.
  • (ii) Involving too many people in the decision-making process can lead to delays.
  • (iii) Democracy can also lead to frequent changes in leadership.
  • (iv) This can sometimes create a big setback for big decisions and affect the government’s efficiency.

Q. Give reasons why Pakistan under General Musharraf cannot be called a democracy?

  • Ans. (i) General Pervez Musharraf led a military coup in October 1999.
  • (ii) He became the ‘Chief Executive’ of the country and changed his designation to President and held a referendum that granted him five-year extension. Pakistani media, human rights organisation and democracy activists declared it to be based on malpractices and fraud.
  • (iii) In August 2000, Musharraf issued a ‘Legal Framework Order’ that amended the Constitution of Pakistan and allowed him to dismiss the national and provincial assemblies.
  • (iv) The work of the cabinet is supervised by a National Security Council, which is dominated by military officers.
  • (v) After passing this law, elections were held to the national and state assemblies. Although, elections have been held and elected representatives have some powers, the final powers rest with military officers and General Musharraf.

Q. How does democracy enhance the dignity of citizens?

Ans. The strongest argument for democracy is not about what democracy does to the government. It is about what democracy does to the citizens.

  • Ans. (i) Democracy enhances the dignity of citizens.
  • (ii) Democracy is based on the principle of political equality, on recognising that the poorest and the least educated have the same status as the rich and the educated.
  • (iii) People are not subjects of a ruler, they are the rulers themselves.
  • (iv) Even when they make mistakes, they are responsible for their conduct.
Q. Assertion (A): Democracy leads to instability.
Reason (R): Democracy does not provide a method to deal with differences and conflicts.

Ans. (c) A is correct but R is wrong.

Leaders keep changing in a democracy which leads to its instability. Democracy provide a method to deal with difference and conflicts.

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