I:

;.\OS,
Co m pa re th e de m oc ra tic sy s
System In China
ten , In China with thot In
Mexico,

S) slc n, in Mc"ico
e but
inu election s do not offer any choice. (a) [n M ex ico 1h~ pe ople sc~ m to have a choic
(11) In Ch ve ony choi~-e.
prnctk:ally lh~y did not ha
g pa rty co ul d be
Pe ople ha ve to ch oo se the rul ing pnrty ond lhe (b) There was no way t he rulin st it.
(b) it. if the people were .igain
cand ida tes ap prov ed by dd ca tct l even
' " o vn h, e.
 Mugnbe in Zimbabwe to remain in pow
er?
64. Wh al steps e
~· re taken by Robert
Zimbabwe to remain in power were:
Ans. The steps taken by Robert Mugabe in
ert Mu gab e's gov crn mt! nl ma de cha nges in the constitution to make him mor
(a) Rob c P<>\-crftit
and Jess acc oun tab le.
itio n party wo rke rs wer e hRrasse d and the ir meetings were disrupted.
(b) Oppos
declared illegal.
(c) Protests by public and demonstration were
the President.
(d) He made laws to limit the right to criticise
speak in favour of the ruling party 1nd
(e) The media too has been forced to write and · ependc111
spa per and jou rna list s wer e harassed wh en write against the President.
new
 \• I •
be 11Ddemocratic aud popuJar lead er can
Explain with an example how popular governments can
be autocratic.
Or
. Are the leaders of ZANU-PF ~lose to the
ZANU-PF wins the elections every ftve years ln Zimbabwe [CBSE 10161
values of democracy? E~-plain.
ruled by ZANU-PF and Robert Mugabe as its
Ans. Since its independence in 1980, Zimbabwe has been
values of democracy in the following ways:
leade r. The leaders of ZANU-PF were not close to the
by Z.ANU-PF. Presiden t Mug-a~ is popu lar
(a) Elections have been held regularly and always won
but also uses unfair practices in elections.
titution several times to make the Presid~nt
(b) Over the years his government has changed the cons
more powerful and less accounlablc.
mettings disrupted . Public prot ests and
(c) Opposition party workers are harassed and their
l.
demonstrations against the government are declared illega
nt and give only the government's version.
(d) Television and radio are controlled by the governme (any thrt>t)
 5S. Mention three essential features or democracy. (CBSE 201-11
Ans. The three essential features of democracy are as follows:
(a) In a democracy, the final decision-muking power must be with those elect~d by the people.
(b) A democracy must be based on free and fair elections where those CUTI'\!ntly in power have a
fair chance of losing.

.1 ·itiL~n nm~t have one vote anJ cuch vote have one vatu e.
(c) In a demorrary racII au,111 " · . . " , .. . ,
. ,0 , . , 01111 •• r,a ruk~ within 1hc hnuts sci by the const1tutaon,1l law and cit,·ze n,s tit
(cl) Ad emocra '"' g l " ·
' (a11y ti,
 65. ~scribe the argumrnts against democracy.
Ans. The major arguments against democracy are:
(a) Leaders keep changing in a democracy which leads to instability.
(b) Democracy is all about political competition and power play. These is no morality.
(c) So many people have to be consulted in a democracy that it leads to delays in dec·181
·0 n-rnak·
(d) Elected leaders do not know the best interest of the people. It leads to bad decision Ing.
(e) Democracy leads to com1ption for it is based on electoral politics or competition. s.
(f) Ordinary people don't know what is good for them, they should not decide anything (
• any fiVt}
Why ls democracy considered the btst form or government? .
Democracy is considered the best form of government for the reasons as follow:
(a) Democracy cannot give us everything but it is clearly better than any other alternative. lt is a
government responsive to the needs of the people.
(b) 11 is likely to respect people's wishes and allows different kinds of people to live together.
(c) Even when it fails to do some oi these things, it allows ways of corr~cling its mistakes and offers
more dignity to all its citizens. That is why i1s is considered the best form of government.
 77. How difficult it was ror India to rrame a constitution ror united India after Independence?
Ans. To frame a '-"Onstitution for unified lndia after Independence, its difficult in following manner.
(a) At that time the people of India wen: ·emerging form the status of subjects to that of ciliztns.
(b) The country emerged thought Partition on the basis of religion.
(c) It was a traumatic experien~ for both the people of India and Pakistan.
 90. "The familiarity with political institutions oftbe colonial rule helped to develop an agreement oYer
the institutional design." Justify the statement. (CBSE 201'1
Ans. The familiarity with political institutions of colonial rule helped to develop an agreement over the
institutional design in the following ways.
(a) The British rule gave voting rights to only a few. Later Election Commission was set up and
voting rights were granted to all.
(b) Elections were held in 1937 to Provincial Legislatures and Ministries were formed all over British
India. The experience gained by Indians in the working of these institutions proved to be
very useful for the country in setting up its own institutions and working in them.
(c) The Indian Constitution adopted many institutional details and procedures from colonial laws
like the Government of India Act, 1935.
(d) The ideals of French Revolution, practice of Parliamentary democracy in Britain and Bill of
Rights in the US inspired us to set up fundamental rights and duties.
(/) The political institutions of the colonial rule are not just copied. They are questioned at every
step to suit our nation's conditions and set-up. In a way they serve as a blueprint for setting
up our institutions. (any Jive)
 tney UU ~U UIIU un, ...,• .,.,•• _, ...
11
63. What is meant by code of conduct? How does it control the activities of parties and candidates'!
--- - ~ . (HOTS}

Ans. ~<><!e~Qntfuct means a set of norms and guidelines to be followed by political parties and candidates
~ the election time. According to it no party or candidate can:
(a) use any place of worship for election propaganda.
(b) use government vehicles, aircraft and officials for elections. '
(c) once elections are announced, Ministers shall not lay foundation stones of any project, take any
big policy decisions or make any promises to provide public facilities.
 tion
74. Give three reasons wby the system of reserved constituencies was introduced by the constitu
[CBSE 20101
makers in India.
SC
Ans. The makers of our Constitution introduced Reserve d Constituencies for the weaker sections like
and ST for several reasons like
(a) To provid~ a fair chance to the weaker section to get elected to the Lok Sabha and state
Legislative Assemblies in an open electora l competi tion.
(b) The res~rvation is due to those who are influenti al and resource ful may prevent the weaker
sections from winning the elections.
(c) Besides, through reserved constituencies they tried to promote political empowe rment among
weaker sections. \ .
 84. Des~ ewid e ranging powers of the Election Commission in India.
Ans. Jp--our country elections are conducted by an independent and very powerful Election Commission
_. / (EC). The Chief Election Commissioner is appointed by the President of India. But once appoint ed
· the Chief Election Commissioner is not answerable to the President or the government. But if the
government does not like what the Commission does, it is virtually impossible for the government
to remove the Election Commissioner.
His wide ranging powers are:
(a) Election Commissioner's decisions on every aspect of conduct and control of elections are in
force from the announcement of election to the declaration of results.
(b) He implements the code of conduct and punishes the candidates and parties that violate it.
(c) During the election period the EC can order the government to follow some guidelines, to
prevent use and misuse of governmental powers to enhance their;:ha nces to win the elections
or to transfer the government officials.
(d) When on election duty the government officials work for the Election Commission not the
government.