Civics Class 5 Chapter 1 (E) - PDF

Social Science V Have you heard of Gramasabha? The picture shows a Gramasabha in session. Are such Gramasabhas convened in your locality? Try to find out the participants and topics discussed in those meetings. 108  For the People Gramas...

Social Science V Have you heard of Gramasabha? The picture shows a Gramasabha in session. Are such Gramasabhas convened in your locality? Try to find out the participants and topics discussed in those meetings. 108  For the People Gramasabha is a forum to decide the developmental activities at ward level in each panchayat. In municipalities and corporations they are known as ‘Ward Sabhas’. Every voter in a ward can participate in the Gramasabha/Ward Sabha. They have the opportunities to express their opinions in the discussions. People take collective decisions on the developmental activities to be carried out in their wards. Such activities are led by the people’s representative elected from the ward. These representatives are known as ward members in panchayats and councillors in municipalities and corporations. Where else can you see such election of representatives? ï Class / school ï Co-operative society ï Club / library ï Block Panchayat ï District Panchayat ï State Legislative Assembly ï Parliament ï People can directly participate and take decisions in Gramasabha. However, at the state and national levels the representatives elected by the people take decisions collectively. Democracy is an impossible thing until the power is shared by all. - Mahatma Gandhi Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, and for the people. - Abraham Lincoln 109  Social Science V Democracy is the only system of government that captures global respect. - Amartya Sen You have seen the views of Democracy some great men reflecting certain features of The English word democracy is democracy. Let’s see what derived from the Greek term democracy is. Democracy is ‘demokratia’. It is a blend of two the system in which the words, ‘demos’, means people people are governed either and ‘kratos’, means power. directly by themselves or by their elected representatives. Direct and Indirect Democracy In direct democracy people directly take important decisions. In the State Legislative Assemblies and in the Parliament the decisions are not taken directly by the people. Here, the representatives elected by the people take decisions on their behalf. Such representative democracy is called indirect democracy. Democracy and election The people elect their representatives to govern at various levels, from the local level to the Parliament. Elections are held on the basis of universal adult franchise. Any citizen attain the age of 18 years has the right to vote in elections. The representatives to Local Self Governments, State Legislative Assemblies and Lok Sabha are elected through voting. Election is a basic feature of democracy. 110  For the People Try to find out answers to the following questions related to elections. Who among your family members can vote? Which is your state legislative constituency? Who is the Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from your constituency? Which is your Lok Sabha constituency? Who is the Member of Parliament (MP) from your constituency? Stages of election Isn't a leader elected from your class to the School Parliament? The election process of our country passes through certain stages. Observe the following flowchart showing these stages: Issue of election notification Submission of nomination Stages of Election Scrutiny of nomination Withdrawal of nomination Voting Counting of votes and declaration of result 111  Social Science V All elections strictly follow these stages. Election is an inevitable part of democracy. Democracy depends on some other factors too. Let us see what they are. Factors sustaining democracy ï The Rule of Law All are equal before the law. Everyone is obliged to obey the law. Nobody is above the law. The significance of the rule of law can be understood from a simple example. What will happen if somebody drive carelessly? Discuss its consequences. The aim of traffic rule is to ensure smooth and safe traffic for vehicles. Identify similar rules and evaluate their role in making our lives comfortable. ï Rights Rights are granted to the citizens for the progress of individual and the country. Different laws implemented by the government to ensure various rights of the people are given in column ‘A’ of the following table. Identify the rights ensured by each law and try to fill in column ‘B’. A B Laws Rights ï Right To Education Act (RTE) ï................................. ï Traffic laws ï................................. ï Right to Information Act ï................................. ï The Senior Citizens Act (Maintenance, Protection and Welfare) ï................................. 112  For the People You have seen that the citizens of a democratic country enjoy various rights by various laws like those mentioned in the table. Conduct a discussion in the class on the impact of the absence of these rights and how it will adversely affect democracy. ï Social and economic justice Democracy is the form of government that ensures the participation of all people. It is meaningful only when all are equal. Ensuring equal treatment for all by minimising social and economic inequalities is the principle behind the idea of social and economic justice. The following are a few social conditions that violate social and economic justice. How do they affect democracy? Analyse. -- -Slavery - Gender discrimination - Unemployment - Poverty ï Mass Media 113  Social Science V Observe the picture and try to identify what all come under mass media. List out the different television channels and newspapers. The mass media is a major means that helps in informing the public about events happening in the society. Free and impartial media are the foundation of democracy. The media play an important role to familiarize the public with individual opinions and to bring common demands to the government’s attention. The media also informs the public of the decisions of the government. Identify such news from the newspapers and present them in class. What will be the condition of democracy in the absence of media? Prepare a note. ï Opposition We have seen the significance of election in democracy. Election creates both ruling and opposition parties. It is the duty of the Opposition to persuade the government to function better by pointing out the wrongs of the government. Collect news on the functioning of the Opposition. Conduct a discussion on the role of the Opposition in democracy. Election, rule of law, rights, social and economic justice, mass media and Opposition are the factors that sustain democracy. Democracy- a way of life As a way of life democracy upholds human values and individual liberty. Respecting opinions of others is a part of democratic way of life. An individual has the right to agree or disagree with the opinion of others. Democracy becomes meaningful when we are able to form collective decisions. We should be able to adopt the democratic way of life at home, in school and in society. 114  For the People We imbibe several democratic habits from our day-to-day life. What are they? ï We accept the opinions of others. ï We wait for our turn. ï We value the freedom of others. Is your friend democratic? Observe the table. Put a tick mark in () the suitable box. Context Yes No Obey traffic rules Boards the school bus in a queue Returns the library book in time. Disagrees to certain opinions that he/she considers wrong. Wears the school uniform without fail. Does not litter public places. Try to add more statements to the list. The tick mark () in the 'yes'-box implies that the individual is a democrat. An increase in the number of tick marks in the 'yes' column signifies that the person is more in tune with the democratic way of life. Every individual should respect the democratic activities of others for the progress of the society. No one has the right to obstruct the democratic activities of another. Democracy is based on the legal system. It is undemocratic to break the law. 115  Social Science V Observe the picture indicating sound pollution. Have you noticed similar undemocratic activities? Discuss how they obstruct democracy. Democracy is the world’s best form of government. It enables each citizen to be a part of the government. We have to stay alert to empower democracy. Summary ï Democracy is a government of the people, by the people and for the people. ï Democracy is not only a form of government but also a way of life. ï Elections, the rule of law, rights, social and economic justice, mass media and the Opposition are the factors that sustain democracy. 116  For the People Significant learning outcomes The learner can: ï state the ideas relating to democracy by comparing its various definitions. ï explain the stages of election process. ï identify the basic factors that sustain democracy. ï recognize that democracy is a system of government as well as a way of life and that it is essential for the common good of the society. Let us assess ï List three features of democracy. ï Certain conditions favourable for the smooth functioning of democracy are given below. A ˛ Election B ˛ Courts C ˛ Rights D ˛ Social and economic justice E ˛ Mass media F ˛ Opposition Mark the appropriate letter (signifying the aforementioned factors) against the statements given below. 1. Constructed a bridge across the river 2. Any individual can assume an office, if he/she has the required qualification 3. The court sentenced the convict for life imprisonment. 4. All TV channels highlighted the news of the corrupt public figure. 5. People elect their representatives once in five years. ï Prepare a note on a situation where democratic principles are applied 117  Social Science V Extended activities ï Prepare a report on the election of your class leader. (You may include details like the submission of nomination, the mode of election, number of votes secured by each candidate, etc.) ï Collect news on election and rule of law. ï Prepare a wall magazine featuring the views of great men on democracy. ï Prepare a questionnaire to conduct an interview with your ward member/councillor (concerning developmental activities). ï Prepare a short note on the importance of election in democracy. ï Prepare a collage incorporating the news and pictures related to election. 118