NCERT Solutions Class 9 Social Science Political Science Chapter 1 What is Democracy? Why Democracy?
Class 9 Social Science Political Science Chapter 1 - What is Democracy? Why Democracy? help students clearly understand the meaning, features, and importance of democracy. The Chapter explains what makes a country democratic and why this form of government is preferred over others. It also discusses how democracy works in real life and the principles that guide it.
The NCERT Solutions are based on the official NCERT textbook and are written in simple language for Class 9 students. These solutions make revision easier, help in exam preparation, and allow students to connect the concept of democracy with real-world examples.
1.0Download NCERT Solutions Class 9 Social Science Chapter 1 What is Democracy? Why Democracy? : Free PDF
Download NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Social Science Chapter 1 What is Democracy? Why Democracy? in our free PDF, designed by experts for easy learning and quick revision. Click the link below to download the document.
2.0Important Concepts Class 9 Social Science Chapter 1 What is Democracy? Why Democracy? : Brief Explanation
This chapter introduces the meaning of democracy, its key features, and the reasons why it is considered the most preferred form of government. It also addresses misconceptions and challenges related to democracy.
- Meaning of Democracy: Democracy is a form of government in which the rulers are elected by the people. It gives citizens the power to choose their representatives through free and fair elections.
- Key Features of Democracy:
- Elected Representatives: Leaders are chosen by the people.
- Free and Fair Elections: All citizens have an equal right to vote.
- Rule of Law: Everyone, including those in power, must follow the law.
- Rights and Freedoms: Citizens enjoy fundamental rights like freedom of speech, expression, and equality.
- Accountability: The government is answerable to the people.
- Why Democracy?: Democracy ensures equality, protects rights, promotes political participation, and allows peaceful change of leadership. It also reduces the possibility of abuse of power.
- Broader Meaning: Beyond elections, democracy involves respect for diversity, participation in decision-making, and ensuring that laws and policies benefit all citizens.
- Limitations of Democracy: Decision-making can be slow, and sometimes the majority may disregard the needs of minorities. However, it still remains the most effective system for protecting individual freedoms and equality.
3.0NCERT Class 9 Social Science Chapter 1: Detailed Solutions
1. Here is some information about four countries. Based on this information, how would you classify each of these countries. Write 'democratic', 'undemocratic' or 'not sure' against each of these.
(1) Country A: People who do not accept the country's official religion do not have a right to vote.
(2) Country B: The same party has been winning elections for the last twenty years.
(3) Country C: Ruling party has lost in the last three elections.
(4) Country D: There is no independent election commission.
Ans. (1) Undemocratic
(2) Undemocratic
(3) Democratic
(4) Not sure
2. Here is some information about four countries. Based on this information, how would you classify each of these countries? Write 'democratic', 'undemocratic' or 'not sure' against each of these.
(1) Country P: The parliament cannot pass a law about the army without the consent of the Chief of Army.
(2) Country Q: The parliament cannot pass a law reducing the powers of the judiciary.
(3) Country R: The country's leaders cannot sign any treaty with another country without taking permission from its neighbouring country.
(4) Country S: All the major economic decisions about the country are taken by officials of the central bank which the ministers cannot change.
Ans. (1) Democratic
(2) Democratic
(3) Not Sure
(4) Undemocratic
3. Which of these is not a good argument in favour of Democracy? Why?
(1) People feel free and equal in a Democracy.
(2) Democracies resolve conflict in a better way than others.
(3) Democratic government is more accountable to the people.
(4) Democracies are more prosperous than others.
Ans. (4) Prosperity is not a sign of democracy. Democracy does not affect the financial status of a country. India is a democracy, yet it is fighting a long battle against poverty. India is poor for various other reasons.
4. Each of these statements contains a democratic and an undemocratic element. Write out the two separately for each statement.
(1) A minister said that some laws have to be passed by the Parliament in order to conform to the regulations decided by the World Trade Organisation.
(2) The Election Commission ordered repolling in a constituency where large scale rigging was reported.
(3) Women's representation in the Parliament has never reached 10 per cent. This led women' organisations to demand one-third seats for women.
Ans. (1) The reference of the laws to the parliament show that democracy is practiced. The minister has not taken the decision himself. But the decision to confirm to the regulations decided by World Trade Organisation is undemocratic. Why should a free country make laws to suit a foreign organisation!
(2) Democratic: Repolling is necessary whenever rigging takes place in a constituency during elections. Undemocratic: Rigging itself is an undemocratic element. It should not happen in a democracy.
(3) One should have more women representatives in parliament democratic. To demand reservation is undemocratic. Women should come forward themselves and fight elections.
5. Which of these is not a valid reason for arguing that there is a lesser possibility of famine in a democratic country?
(1) Opposition parties can draw attention to hunger and starvation.
(2) Free press can report suffering from famine in different parts of the country.
(3) Government fears its defeat in the next elections.
(4) People are free to believe in and practice any religion.
Ans. (4) It has nothing to do with famines.
6. There are 40 villages in a district where the government has made no provision for drinking water. These villagers met and considered many methods of forcing the government to respond to their need. Which of these is not a democratic method?
(1) Filing a case in the courts claiming that water is part of right to life.
(2) Boycotting the next elections to give a message to all parties.
(3) Organising public meetings against the government's policies.
(4) Paying money to government officials to get water.
Ans. (4) Paying money to government officials to get water.
7. Write a response to the following arguments against democracy:
(1) Army is the most disciplined and corruption-free organisation in the country. Therefore, army should rule the country.
(2) Rule of the majority means the rule of ignorant people. What we need is the rule of the wise, even if they are in small numbers.
(3) If we want religious leaders to guide us in spiritual matters, why not invite them to guide us in politics as well. The country should be ruled by religious leaders.
Ans. (1) Army rule is not a rule of the people through their representatives. They may be disciplined but they become dictatorial and cut down the freedom of the people. We have seen this in the case of Pinochet's rule in Chile, President's Musharraf's rule in Pakistan and the military rule in Myanmar.
(2) Wise men are not necessarily good administrators. It will become the rule of the minority, not of the majority of the people. People's liberties are bound to be cut down.
(3) Religious leaders follow the letter of the religion they preach. They deny freedom of thought, expression and speech. We have seen this in the case
of Afghanistan. Religious leaders deny freedom of religion to minorities and impose their ideas on them. It is only democracy which gives maximum freedom to people, allows them to choose their own leaders and does not all dictators of any kind of seize power.
EXERCISE-01
Multiple choice questions
1. Democracy is based on a fundamental principle of
(1) communalism
(2) naturalised citizenship
(3) political equality
(4) male franchise
2. The meaning of 'democracy' is that
(1) it is the rule of military
(2) it is the rule of a king
(3) it is the rule of the people's representatives
(4) it is the rule of a dictator
3. In a democracy, rulers are elected by the
(1) people
(2) members of the Electoral College
(3) military officials
(4) bureaucrats
4. Legal Framework Order in Pakistan was issued in -
(1) January 2000
(2) April 2001
(3) August 2002
(4) December 2003
5. Pakistan under General Musharraf should not be called a democracy because -
(1) army officials are elected by the people
(2) elected representatives are not the real rulers
(3) Musharraf was retaining the post of General
(4) people have direct control over the government
6. After how many years elections are held in China?
(1) 4 years
(2) 3 years
(3) 5 years
(4) 1 year
7. To contest the general elections in China, a candidate needs to get the approval of the -
(1) International People's Congress
(2) Chinese Communist Party
(3) Socialist Communist Party
(4) United Workers Party
8. Which one of the following is an appropriate reason that the government in China is not democratic?
(1) Elections are not held
(2) Elections are held under Communist Party's approval
(3) Members are free to contest
(4) People choose government
9. Identify the country, which has never been under military rule
(1) Pakistan
(2) Chile
(3) Poland
(4) Mexico
10. Until 2000, every election is Mexico was won by
(1) Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI)
(2) People's Revolutionary Party
(3) Revolutionary Political Party
(4) Institutional Political Party
11. Identify one of the correct features of the electoral system of Fiji
(1) Vote of an Indigenous Fijian has more value than that of an Indian Fijian
(2) Vote of an Indigenous Fijian has less value
(3) Indian Fijian has no right to vote
(4) Equal voting rights for the migrants
12. Identify the option who are not entitled to vote in Saudi Arabia until 2015. SWH032
(1) men
(2) women
(3) minorities
(4) Indigenous people
13. Zimbabwe attained independence in
(1) 1965
(2) 1974
(3) 1980
(4) 1985
14. Who of the following ruled in Zimbabwe since independence from white rule?
(1) Kenneth Kaunda
(2) Nelson Mandela
(3) P. Johnson
(4) Robert Mugabe
15. During the 1980s the Zimbabwe government amended the constitution to (1) increase president's power SWH035
(2) bring autocratic government
(3) overthrow the President
(4) decrease President's power
16. In Zimbabwe, the government allows the media to publish
(1) opposition party activities
(2) ruling party version
(3) reforms of the government
(4) demands of the people
17. Any one argument against democracy can be that it
(1) is a better government
(2) enhances the dignity of citizens
(3) is accountable form of government
(4) is a power game
18. One of the merits of democracy is
(1) that democracy upholds individual liberties
(2) social inequality
(3) social and economic inequality
(4) discrimination on the basis of colour
19. Democracy provides a method to deal with
(1) differences and conflicts
(2) different solutions
(3) similar views
(4) different opinions
20. The rulers of a non-democratic government
(1) may or may not act to the wishes of the people
(2) act to the wishes of the people
(3) always respond to peoples need
(4) are elected by the people
True or false
1. In 2002, General Parvez Musharraf changed his designation from President to Chief Executive and held a referendum in the country that granted him a fiveyear extension.
2. In China, Chinese Communist Party or eight smaller parties allied to it were allowed to contest elections held in 2002-03.
3. In Fiji, the electoral system is such that the Indian Fijian is not allowed to vote.
4. Zimbabwe attained independence from White minority rule in 1980 . Since then, the country has been ruled by ZANU-PF.
5. The example of Zimbabwe shows that popular approval of the rulers is necessary in a democracy and is sufficient.
Fill in the blanks
1. Democracy is a form of _________ in which the rulers are elected by the people.
2. Pakistani media, human rights organisations and democracy activists said that the ________- was based on malpractices and fraud.
3. _______ has made its citizenship rules in such a way that people belonging to Russian minority find it difficult to get the right to vote.
4. In Zimbabwe President _______ is popular but also uses unfair practices in elections.
5. A democratic government rules within _______ set by constitutional law and citizens rights.
Match the Column
ANSWER KEY (Exercise 01)
Multiple choice questions
True or false
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
Fill in the blanks
- government
- referendum
- Estonia
- Mugabe
- limits
Match the column
(A) → (iv) ; (B) → (v) ; (C) → (vi) ; (D) → (i) ; (E) → (ii) ; (F) → (iii)
EXERCISE-02
Short Answer Type Questions
1. What is Democracy?
2. Explain features of democracy.
3. What dirty practices were used by Institutional Revolutionary Party to win the elections in Mexico?
4. Give any three arguments in favour of democracy.
5. How does democracy improve the quality of decision making?
6. How is the dignity of citizens enhanced in democracy?
7. Why is democracy considered the best form of government? Write in detail.
8. Give any three arguments against democracy.
9. What is representative democracy?
10. What is ideal democracy?
Long Answer Type Questions
11. "Pakistan under General Parvez Musharraf should not be called a democracy". Explain.
12. 'Elections in China do not represent people's verdict' Explain.
13. Although the principal of Universal Adult Franchise has now come to be accepted almost all over the world there are many instances of denial of equal right to vote. Explain with examples.
14. With reference to Zimbabwe, describe how the popular approval of rulers is necessary in a democracy, but not sufficient.
15. What is the difference between democracy and dictatorship?
4.0Key Features and Benefits of Class 9 Social Science Chapter 1 What is Democracy? Why Democracy?
- A Clear Explanation of Democracy: The chapter provides a simple definition of democracy – the government of the people and for the people, where individuals elect their leaders.
- Characteristics of Democracy: The chapter discusses key characteristics of democracy including free and fair elections, equality before law and representative decision-making.
- The greatness of Democracy: The chapter describes why democracy is the preferred form of government to other forms of government based on values of freedom, dignity, and accountability.
- Real-Life Examples: The chapter clears up some misconceptions about democracy and explains what democracy is not.
- Real World Context: The chapter provides examples from across the globe to help the learners to connect to real life experiences.
