Answer the following Questions
1. What is a referendum?
Answer: A direct vote in which the entire electorate is asked to either
accept or reject a proposal.
2. Mention one non-democratic feature of President
Mugabe's Government ?
Answer: The ruler is not accountable.
Q.3. How can you say that every government that holds an election
is not a democracy? Give an example to prove your point.
Ans. It is true that every government that holds an election is not a
democracy. In many dictatorships and monarchies, there are formally elected
parliaments and governments but the real power is with those who are not
elected. Pakistan under General Musharraf could not be called a democracy
because people there elected their representatives to the national and
provincial assemblies but the power to take final decision rested with army
officials and with General Musharraf.
Q.4. In China, elections are held after every five years. Inspite of
this, China does not have a democratic government. Why?
Ans. In China, elections are regularly held after every five years for electing
the country's Parliament. The Parliament has the power to appoint the
President of the country. It has nearly 3,000 members elected from all over
China. Some members are elected by the Army. Before contesting elections, a
candidate needs the approval of the Chinese Communist Party. The
government is always formed by the Communist Party.
Q.5. In which way is the right to vote denied in Saudi Arabia and
Fiji?
Ans. In Saudi Arabia women do not have the right to vote. In Fiji, the electoral
system is such that the vote of an indigenous Fiji has more value than that of
an Indian Fijian. In both the countries, the right to vote is denied as there is no
political equality. In a democracy, each adult citizen must have one vote and
each vote must have one value.
Q.6. ‘Democracy is based on consultation and discussion.’ Explain.
Ans. Consultation and discussion help democracy prosper. A democratic
decision always involves many persons, discussions and meetings. When a
number of people put their heads together, they are able to point out possible
mistakes in any decision. This reduces the chances of rash or irresponsible
decisions. Thus democracy improves the quality of decision-making.
Q.6. Why is it not possible for the people to rule directly but
through elected representatives?
Ans. The people cannot rule directly but only through their elected
representatives because, firstly, modern democracies involve such a large
number of people that it is physically impossible for them to sit together and
take a collective decision. Secondly, even if they could, the citizens do not have
the time, the desire or the skill to take part in all the decisions.
Q.7. Is it possible for any country to become a perfect democracy?
Give reasons.
Ans. No country is a perfect democracy as every democracy has to realize the
ideals of democratic decision-making. This cannot be achieved once and for
all. This requires a constant effort to save and strengthen democratic forms of
decision-making. What we do as citizens can make a difference to making our
country more or less democratic.
Q.8. Why is Democracy considered the best form of government?
Give three reasons.
Ans. Democracy is a more accountable form of government.
(i) It improves the quality of decision-making
(ii) It enhances the dignity of citizens.
(iii)It allows us to correct its own mistakes.
Q.10. What is the role of citizen in promoting democracy?
Ans. Every citizen should be able to play equal role in decision-making. For
this a citizen not only needs an equal right to vote but also needs to have equal
information, basic education, equal resources.
Q.11. Explain any three differences between democratic country and
non-democratic country?
Ans. In a Democratic country–
(i) Each adult citizen has a vote;
(ii) Each vote has one value; and
(iii) Free and fair elections are held.
In a non-democratic country —
(i) Election do not offer a choice and fair opportunity;
(ii) Rulers are not elected by the people; and
(iii) The rulers have unlimited power.
Q.12. Is China a democratic country or not? Give two arguments in
favor of your answer.
Ans. China is not a democratic country.
(i) Only those who are members of the Chinese Communist Party or eight
smaller parties allied to it are allowed to contest elections;
(ii) Before contesting elections a candidate needs the approval of the Chinese
Communist Party.
