Questions and Answers
Why were many Tamil workers who migrated from India to Sri Lanka not given the right to vote?
An ideal dictatorship is defined as having a hidden side according to the provided cartoon.
False
What has the King of Bhutan declared regarding his future guidance?
He will be guided by the advice given to him by elected representatives.
What do the moneybags signify in the cartoon mentioned?
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What is the primary message of the cartoon depicting the Iraqi election after Saddam Hussein's regime?
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Democracy provides a method to deal with differences and conflicts in society, offering a peaceful solution to resolve conflicts instead of resorting to ____________ power.
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Why is it important to look beyond elections in assessing democracy, according to the content?
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Match the following features of democracy with their descriptions:
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What kind of government is democracy?
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What does the crown of leaves on democracy signify?
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Should every citizen in a democracy have equal rights? Can a democracy deny some citizens this right?
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In China, how often are elections held for the country's parliament?
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In Mexico, the country has never been under military or dictator's rule.
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According to the content, what is democracy?
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Why is it important to define democracy according to the text?
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From the text, what is the origin of the word 'democracy'?
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In a democracy, dictators like Pinochet (Chile) are elected by the people. True or False?
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What common factor is mentioned in the text that is common to all democracies?
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What is one limitation of the simple definition of democracy provided?
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What would have happened if India was not a democracy?
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Why is democracy considered the best form of government?
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What does the article about democracy and war suggest?
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How does democracy reduce the chances of irresponsible decisions?
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What broader meanings of democracy are mentioned in the text?
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Based on the information provided, how would you classify each of the following countries: Country A, Country B, Country C, and Country D?
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Based on the information provided, how would you classify each of the following countries: Country P, Country Q, Country R, and Country S?
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Which of these is not a good argument in favor of democracy?
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Write the democratic and undemocratic elements separately for the following statements: a) A minister said that some laws have to be passed by the parliament in order to conform to the regulations decided by the WTO. b) The Election Commission ordered re-polling in a constituency where large-scale rigging was reported. c) Women’s representation in the parliament has barely reached 10%, leading women’s organizations to demand one-third seats for women.
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Which of the following is not a valid reason for arguing that there is a lesser possibility of famine in a democratic country?
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Which of the following methods is not democratic to force the government to provide drinking water to 40 villages in a district?
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Write a response to the following arguments against democracy: a) Army is the most disciplined and corruption-free organization in the country, so the army should rule the country. b) 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. c) 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.
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Are the following statements in keeping with democracy as a value? a) Father to daughter: I don’t want to hear your opinion about your marriage. In our family children marry where the parents tell them to. b) Teacher to student: Don’t disturb my concentration by asking me questions in the classroom. c) Employee to the officer: Our working hours must be reduced according to the law.
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Based on the facts provided for a country, decide if it can be classified as a democracy or not. Provide reasons to support your decision.
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Study Notes
What is Democracy?
- Democracy is a form of government where the rulers are elected by the people.
- The word "democracy" comes from the Greek words "demos" meaning people and "kratia" meaning rule.
Why Define Democracy?
- Defining democracy is essential to understand its meaning and features.
- A clear definition of democracy helps distinguish it from non-democratic forms of government.
- Accepting a definition without thinking leads to misconceptions.
Features of Democracy
- A simple definition of democracy is a form of government in which the rulers are elected by the people.
- This definition raises many questions:
- Who are the rulers in a democracy?
- Which officials must be elected?
- What kind of election constitutes a democratic election?
- Who are the people who can elect the rulers or get elected as rulers?
- Can a democracy deny some citizens the right to vote?
- A democratic government must function with some limits and respect the rights of citizens.
Importance of Elections
- A democratic election is essential for a democracy.
- Conditions for a democratic election include:
- Free and fair competition among candidates
- Ability of people to elect their representatives
- No manipulation or fraud in the electoral process
- Examples of undemocratic elections include:
- Pakistan's 2002 referendum, which granted the President a five-year extension
- China's elections, where the National People's Congress has the power to appoint the President
Power in a Democracy
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In a democracy, the final decision-making power must rest with those elected by the people.
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Examples of non-democratic situations include:
- Myanmar's army rulers, who were not elected by the people
- Monarchies, where the rulers are not elected by the people
- Dictatorships, where the rulers are not elected by the people
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In some countries, the real power lies with external powers or non-elected representatives, which is not democratic.### Understanding Democracy
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Democracy is a form of government where rulers are elected by the people.
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Elections should offer a choice and a fair opportunity to change the rulers.
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Each adult citizen should have one vote and each vote should have one value.
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A democratic government should be limited by basic rules of the constitution and citizens' rights.
Problems with Elections
- In Pakistan under General Musharraf, elected representatives had limited powers, and the final power rested with military officers.
- In China, elections did not offer a real choice, and candidates needed approval from the Chinese Communist Party.
- In Mexico, the ruling party (PRI) used dirty tricks to win elections, and the opposition parties had little chance of winning.
Features of Democracy
- Rulers elected by the people take all the major decisions.
- Elections offer a choice and a fair opportunity to the people to change the current rulers.
- This choice and opportunity are available to all people on an equal basis.
- The exercise of this choice leads to a government limited by basic rules of the constitution and citizens' rights.
Respect for Rights
- In Zimbabwe, the government harassed opposition party workers, and public protests and demonstrations were declared illegal.
- In Saudi Arabia, women did not have the right to vote until 2015.
- In Estonia, the citizenship rules were designed to make it difficult for people belonging to the Russian minority to get the right to vote.
Importance of Independent Judiciary
- An independent judiciary is essential to protect citizens' rights.
- The government should respect the orders of the judiciary.
- The rule of law is essential for a democratic government.
Limitations of Democracy
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Democracy is not perfect, and it has its limitations.
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A strong leader with unlimited powers can lead to dictatorship.
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Democracy is about chaos, instability, corruption, and hypocrisy, according to some critics.
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However, in an ideal democracy, the best form of government is one that is accountable to the people and respects their rights.### What is Democracy?
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Democracy is not a magical solution to all problems, but it is considered the best form of government.
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It provides a method to deal with differences and conflicts, especially in a diverse country like India.
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Democracy enhances the dignity of citizens, recognizing that the poorest and least educated have the same status as the rich and educated.
Arguments for Democracy
- In a democracy, rulers have to attend to the needs of the people, and the government is more accountable.
- Decisions involve consultation and discussion, reducing the chances of rash or irresponsible decisions.
- Democracy allows for correction of mistakes, and there is a space for public discussion and room for correction.
- Democracy provides better chances of good decision-making, respects people's wishes, and allows different kinds of people to live together.
Broader Meanings of Democracy
- Democracy can apply to spheres of life beyond government, such as families, organisations, and communities.
- It involves consultation with and consent of all those affected by a decision.
- In a democratic decision, the powerful and powerless have equal say.
- Democracy can take many forms, including direct democracy in small communities.
Ideal Standard of Democracy
- The ideal standard of democracy sets a benchmark for all governments to strive for.
- It reminds us of why we value democracy and enables us to judge an existing democracy and identify its weaknesses.
- The ideal standard of democracy includes features such as equal information, basic education, equal resources, and commitment for all citizens to play an equal role in decision-making.
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Description
This chapter explains the definition and features of democracy, its importance, and how to distinguish it from non-democratic governments.
