Civics

What is democracy? Why democracy?

I. Multiple choice questions
1. In which period did China face one of the worst famines that have occurred in the
world?
(a) 1932-36
(b) 1958-61
(c) 2001-2002
(d) 2004-2007

2. Democracy improves the quality of decision-making because

(a) Decisions are taken by educated people
(b) Decisions are taken by consultation and discussion
(c) Decisions are taken over a long period of time
(d) All decisions are approved by judiciary

3. Some of the drawbacks of democracy is

(a) Instability and delays
(b) corruption and hypocrisy
(c) Politicians fighting among themselves
(d) all the above

4.When did Zimbabwe attain independence and from whom?

(a) 1970, from Black minority rule
(b) 1880, from White minority rule
(c) 1980, from Americans
(d) 1980, from White minority rule

5.Which party always won elections in Mexico since its independence in 1930 until
2000?
(a) Revolutionary Party
(b) Mexican Revolutionary Party
(c) Institutional Revolutionary Party
(d) Institutional Party
6.Which officials must be elected for any government to be called a democracy?

(a) Certain people from different constituencies passing the criteria to be elected
(b) Any adult of the country
(c) Only Bureaucratics
(d) Heads of different organizations

Answer the following

1.Mention three instances which are exceptions of the principle of one person, one vote
and one value.
Or
Write any three instances of denial of equal right to vote in world politics.

Democracy is based on the basic principle of political equality. In a democracy, each

adult citizen must have one vote and each vote has one value. Three instances where
this is denied are:
1. In Saudi Arabia, until 2015 women did not have the right to vote.
2. In Estonia, the citizenship rules are made in such a way that people belonging to the
Russian minority find it difficult to get the right to vote.
3. In Fiji, the vote of an indigenous Fiji an has more value than that of an Indian-Fijian.

2. Explain with an example how popular governments can be undemocratic and popular
leaders can be autocratic.
Or
ZANU-PF wins the elections every five years in Zimbabwe. Are the leaders of ZANU-PF
close to the values of democracy? Explain.

Since its independence in 1980, Zimbabwe has been ruled by ZANU-PF and Robert
Mugabe as its leader. The leaders of ZANU-PF were not close to the values of
democracy in the following ways:
1. Elections have been held regularly and always won by ZANU-PF. President Mugabe is
popular but also uses unfair practices in elections.
2. Over the years his government has changed the constitution several times to make
the President more powerful and less accountable.
3. Opposition party workers are harassed and their meetings disrupted. Public protests
and demonstrations against the government are declared illegal.
4. Television and radio are controlled by the government and give only the
government’s version.

3.Mention three essential features of democracy.

The three essential features of democracy are as follows:
1. In a democracy, the final decision-making power must be with those elected by the
people.
2. A democracy must be based on free and fair elections where those currently in
power have a fair chance of losing.
3. In a democracy each adult citizen must have one vote and each vote have one
value.
4. A democratic government rules within the limits set by the constitutional law and
citizen’s rights.

4. “Till 2000 Mexican people seem to have a choice to elect their leader but practically
they had no choice.” Support the statement with three suitable reasons.
1. Every election was won by PRI.
2. Opposition did not contest and never managed to win.
3. All those who are employed in the government schools used to force parents to vote
for PRI.
4. Media did not support the opposition.
5. Polling booths were being shifted at the last minute.

5. Why can’t Pakistan under General Musharraf be called a democracy?

1. In Pakistan, General Musharraf led a military coup in October 1999.
2. He overthrew a democratically elected government and declared himself the ‘Chief
Executive” of the country.
3. Later he changed his designation to President in 2002 held a referendum in the
country that granted him a five year extension.

6. Why are elections in China not free and fair? Explain any three reasons.
1. Elections are held after every five years for the Parliament called the National
People’s Congress.
2. It has the power to appoint the President. It has 3000 members but some are elected
by the army.
3. Only members of the Communist Party are allowed to contest elections.

7. “Democratic government is a more accountable form of government.” Justify the

statement.
Democratic government is more accountable form of government due to the following
reasons.
1 It responds to the needs of the people.
2. It provides a method to deal with differences and conflicts.
3. It enhances the dignity of the citizens.
4. It allows us to correct its mistakes.

8. Can the citizens of the country turn a simple democracy into a good democracy?
Give five reasons in support of your arguments.
The citizens of the country can turn a simple democracy into a good democracy by the
following ways:
1 What we do as citizens can make a difference in making our country more or
less democratic.
2. This is the strength and weakness of democracy.
3. The fate of our country depends on not only what rulers do but also on what we
as citizens do.

9. ‘Democracy is the most popular form of government in modern times.Still its

shortcomings cannot be ruled out.’ Justify the statement by assessing any five
shortcomings of democracy
Arguments against democracy:
1. Change of leaders leads to instability.
2. Consulting more people leads to delays.
3. It leads to corruption.
4. It involves only political competition with no scope for morality.
5. Ordinary people don’t know what is good for them.

10. Why is democracy better than any other form of government?

Arguments for democracy:
1. It improves the quality of decision-making.
2. It provides a method to deal with differences and conflicts.
3. It enhances the dignity of citizens.
4. It allows correcting its own mistakes.
5. It is more accountable and responsive.

11. Explain the meaning of representative democracy. How is it significant in the

contemporary world?
Representative democracy means where the majority is allowed to take decisions on
behalf of all the people.
1. Modern democracies involve such a large number of people that it is
physically impossible for them to sit together and take a collective decision.
2. Citizens do not have the time, the desire or the skills to take part in all the decisions.

12. What weaknesses of democracy do you observe in India?

Although democracy has been accepted as the best form of government in the modern
world,yet it has its own problems.
1 Growing economic and social inequalities among the people:
Although all citizens have the right to vote and fight elections, only rich people have
chance to win the election.
2. Role of anti-social elements:
Voters can be forced to vote for a particular candidate or party. Rigging also takes place
during the elections.
3. Corruption and inefficiency:
In many democratic countries of the world political leaders and government officials
are corrupt, dishonest and inefficient. This affects the working of democracy very
badly.
4. Casteism and communalism:
There are other big challenges in many democratic countries like India. During election,
a large number of voters give vote to the caste and religion of the candidate.
5. Political parties also keep in mind the caste or religion of a person while distributing
the tickets of the election.

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