Chapter-8

CHALLENGES TO DEMOCRACY

01. Name any two challenges to the working of democracy in India?

Ans. Social and Economic inequality and casteism are the two challenges being faced by Indian Democracy.

02. What is the challenge of expansion?

Ans. The challenge of expansion, which is present in an established democracy, means applying the principle of democracy across all the regions, different social groups and institutions in the country.

03. Define the term 'Democratic Reform'.

Ans. Any proposal or suggestion about overcoming various challenges of democracy are called democratic reforms.

04. What types of challenges are being faced by democracy?

Ans. Three types of challenges i.e., Foundational challenge, challenge of expansion and deepening of democracy.

05. Give examples of challenge of expansion to democracy.

Ans. To give more powers to local governments and expansion of federal principle to all the units of the federation.

06. How can democratic reforms be carried out?

Ans. Democratic reforms can be carried out by

(a) legally

(b) by good quality of people's participation

(c) Development of democratic movement and the media.

07. What are the legal ways of reforming politics?

Ans. It means changes in the existing laws which can help to discourage wrong practices and encourage good ones or to bring amendments in the constitution.

08. What is the most common form of democracy in today's world?

Ans. Indirect or representative democracy

09. What do you understand by regionalism?

Ans. When the people, living in a particular, region, awaken to their separate existence, due to social, economic or geographical causes, the leaning towards their region, is called regionalism.

10. Mention any two measures to remove poverty in India.

Ans. The ever-increasing population of India should be effectively checked and steps should be taken to increase agricultural production in the country.

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (3 MARKS)

Q.1. What do you understand by the term ‘foundational challenges’?

Ans. Many countries even now are not democratic. They have to make a transition from other forms of governments to democracy and then instituting democratic governments. Such countries face the foundational challenge

Q.2. Briefly explain how the challenge of deepening of democracy can be met? Ans. It means strengthening the existing institutions of democracy and practices of democracy. As different people, different countries have different people, different countries have different expectations from democracy means that a democracy has to encourage people’s participation and control on democratic institutions. It has to curb and cut down the role of money power, the influence of the rich on making governmental decisions.

Q.3. What are the forms of challenges faced by different countries in respect to democracy?

Ans. (i) Countries which are not yet democratic face a foundational challenge—making a transition to democracy and establishing democratic governments.

(ii) Many countries face the challenge of expansion. This means applying principles of democracy to all the state, local and regional levels. It means including all social and economic groups including women empowerment.

(iii)All the democracies face the challenge of deepening of democracy. They have to improve and strengthen all institutions of democracy and curb all anti-democratic activities.

Q.4. Why do most people want to reform politicians? Do you agree with their views?

Ans. General public tends to blame politicians for all the ills of our country. People think they are responsible for the corruption, defection, casteism, communal violence, criminality etc. But it is wrong to do so, because all politicians are not bad, there are both good, honest politicians as well as bad, corrupt ones. It is for the citizens to be more alert and make the right choice at the time of elections. People and politicians together can meet the various challenges like casteism and community, not any strict laws.

Q.5. Can we draw a list of political reforms applicable to all democracies? Why/Why not?

Ans. Since all the countries do not have the same challenges, it is understood that everyone cannot follow the same recipe of political reforms. So, we cannot draw a list of political reforms applicable to all the democracies.

Q.6. What is the lacuna in legal means of political reform?

Ans. Any legal change must carefully look at what result it will have on politics. Sometimes, the results may be counter-productive. Generally, laws that seek to ban something are not very successful in politics. The best laws are those which empower people to carry out democratic reforms.

Q.7. Examine the three challenges of democracy.

Ans. (i) Foundational challenge : It refers to making the transition to democracy and then instituting democratic government.

(ii) Challenge of Expansion : This involves applying the basic principle of democratic government across all the regions, different social groups and various institutions.

(iii)Deepening of Democracy : This involves strengthening of the institutions and practices of democracy.

Q.8. Analyse three challenges before the countries which do not have a democratic form of government.

Ans. (i) Bringing down the existing non-democratic regime.

(ii) Keeping military away from controlling government.

(iii)Establishing a sovereign and functional state. At least one-fourth of the globe is still not under democratic governance. The challenge for democracy in these parts of the world is very stark. These countries face the foundational challenge of making the transition to democracy and then instituting a democratic government.

Long Questions (5 Marks):-

Q.1. Explain the challenges faced by Indian democracy while holding free and fair elections.

Ans. (i) Casteism and communalism. Voters in India vote on the basis of caste and religion. They do note consider the ability of the candidate. In the same way, parties are affected by caste and community. They give tickets based on the above consideration and not the ability.

(ii) Money power : A lot of money is spent by parties and candidates to win the favour of the voters. They try to buy votes by wooing the poor, the illiterate and lower classes. The ordinary citizens cannot contest elections.

(iii)Unfair advantage lies with bigger parties. They have more resources as compared to smaller parties and independent candidates

(iv) Voters have no choice : There is sometimes no difference in the agenda of different parties. It is only a clash of personalities and voter has no choice.

(v) Politics have been criminalised in recent times. More and more people with criminal background are winning elections. They indulge in booth capturing, and rigging during elections. They use muscle power to intimidate the voters.

(vi) Politicians misuse government machinery during elections.

Q.2. What sustains democracy in India?

OR

How can the principles of democracy be applied to all spheres of life.

Ans. India has been a democracy since it won independence in 1947. Seventy  years have not shaken the roots of democracy in our country.

First of all, India has given equal rights and freedom to every citizen. Fundamental rights are given by the Constitution to all the people.

1.There is universal adult franchise which gives every citizen a right to vote in elections. This has made the political parties to reach out to millions of people located in urban, rural or slum areas.

2.The citizens are also now aware of the power they have to change governments and disapprove their policies.

3.Government has taken measures to protect the weaker section of society. They are given reservation of seats in the Parliament, State Assemblies and local bodies. Seats are reserved for women in the Panchyati Raj institutions.

4.There is full freedom of thought, speech and writing and people can form and express their opinions without fear.

5.There is Freedom of Press. The press can shape public opinion by giving unbiased news about issues facing the country. zIndia has a federal system where power is shared both horizontally and vertically. People have a say in decision-making right from the village panchayat to the top. All these factors have kept India a united democracy.

Q.3. What is the role of an ordinary citizen in a democracy?

Ans.1.A citizen has to be an active and participatory citizen. He has to be interested not only in his affairs, but of the affairs of the nation as well. He should be well informed about the politics of his country. zHe should have consideration and regard for other people — their needs, views and well being.

2.People must co-operate with the government to make democracy successful.

3.Besides their rights, they should be aware of their duties as citizens of the country.

4.He should get rid of intolerance, fanaticism and inhuman treatment of weaker sections of the society. He should be law abiding himself and teach others to be law abiding citizens too.

5.Acts of Parliament cannot create a healthy, successful, democracy. India needs well informed, concerned citizens, who take keen interest in public affairs, perform all their civic duties and co-operate with the government.

Q.4.. “Different countries face different kinds of challenges.” Support the statement with suitable examples.

OR Why do most of the established democracies face the challenge expansion? Give any three reasons.

OR

Explain various type of challenges being faced by the modern democracies of the world?

Ans. It is true that different countries face different kinds of challenges —

(i) Non-democratic countries face foundational challenges. This involves bringing down the existing non-democratic regime, keeping military away from controlling government and establishing a sovereign and functional state. Example : In Myanmar, military rule should be challenged. Suu Kyi should be freed and should be elected as the representative of the popular government.

(ii) Every democracy faces the challenge of deepening of democracy. This involves applying the basic principle of democratic government across all the regions, different social groups and various institutions. Example : In Saudi Arabia, women are not allowed to take part in public activities, and no freedom of religion is there for the minorities.

(iii)Every democracy face the challenge of expansion. This involves strengthening of the institutions and practices of democracy. It requires an attempt to bring down that control and influence of the rich and powerful people in making governmental decision. Example : In USA, Black or African-American people have won equal rights, but are still poor, less educated and marginalised.

Q.5. What is a ‘challenge’? Explain the three major challenges before the countries of the world regarding democracy.  

OR

How can the countries facing the foundational challenge of making a transition to democracy set up a democratic government? Suggest any three measures.

    OR

The challenge of deepening of democracy is faced by every democracy in one form or another. Support the statement with three suitable arguments. How can democracy be reformed and deepened? Suggest any three guidelines.

Ans. A ‘challenge’ is a difficulty which carries within it an opportunity for progress. Three major challenge are :

(i) Foundational challenge is about making the transition to democracy and then instituting a democratic government. This involves bringing down the existing non-democratic regime, keeping military away from controlling the government and establishing a sovereign and functional state. Example : Myanmar, Chile, Nepal

(ii) Challenge of Expansion is faced by most of the  established democracies. This involves applying the basic principle of democratic government across all the regions, different social groups and various institutions. Most countries including India and other democracies like the U.S. face this challenge.

(iii)Deepening of democracy : This involves strengthening of the institutions and practices of democracy, specially those that help people’s participation and control. This attempts to bring down the control and influence of the rich and powerful people in making governmental decision.

Q.6. Explain four ways to reform democracy in India.

OR

Explain which four guidelines should be kept in mind while devising ways and means for political reforms in India.

Suggest any three ways in which political reforms can be made in India?

Ans. (i) Carefully devised changes in law can help to discourage wrong political practices and encourage good ones. At the same time, legal-constitutional changes by themselves cannot overcome challenges to democracy. They are to be carried out mainly by political activities, parties movements and politically conscious citizens.

(ii) Legal changes can sometimes be counter-productive. Generally, laws that seek to ban something are not very successful. Rather laws that give political actors incentives to do good things have more chances of working. For, example, the ‘Right to Information Act’ empowers people to act as watchdogs of democracy.

(iii) The main focus of political reforms should be on ways to strengthen democratic practice. The most important concern should be to increase and improve the quality of political participation by ordinary citizens.

(iv) Any proposal for political reforms should think not only about what is a good solution but also about who will implement it and how measures that rely or democratic movements, citizens’ organisations and the media are likely to succeed.