Chapter 6

Democratic Rights

Class- IX

Question and Answers

1. Explain the prisoners’ condition in Guantanamo Bay.
i)  About 600 people were secretly picked up by the US forces from all over the world and put in a prison in Guantanamo Bay, an area near Cuba controlled by American
Navy.
ii) The American government said that they were enemies of the US and linked to
the attack on New York on 11 September 2001. In most cases the governments
of their countries were not asked or even informed about their imprisonment.
iii) Families of prisoners, media or even UN representatives were not allowed to
meet them. The US army arrested them, interrogated them and decided whether
to keep them there or not.
iv) There was no trial before any magistrate in the US. Nor could these prisoners
approach courts in their own country.

2. What was the basic reason for the ethnic massacre in Kosovo?
i) Kosovo was a province of Yugoslavia before its split. In this province the
population was overwhelmingly ethnic Albanian. But in the entire country,
Serbs were in majority.
ii) A narrow minded Serb nationalist Milosevic had won the election. His
government was very hostile to the Kosovo Albanians. He wanted the Serbs to
dominate the country. Many Serb leaders thought that Ethnic minorities like
Albanians should either leave the country or accept the dominance of the Serbs.
iii) This massacre was being carried out by the army of their own country, working
under the direction of a leader who came to power through democratic
elections. This was one of the worst instances of killings based on ethnic
prejudices in recent times.
iv) Finally several other countries intervened to stop this massacre. Milosevic lost
power and was tried by an International Court of Justice for crimes against
humanity.
3. In what respects are rights of citizens denied in Saudi Arabia?
i) The country is ruled by a hereditary king and the people have no role in
electing or changing their rulers.
ii) The king selects the legislature as well as the executive. He appoints the
judges and can change any of their decisions.
iii) Citizens cannot form political parties or any political organizations.
iv) Media cannot report anything that the monarch does not like.
v) There is no freedom of religion. Every citizen is required to be Muslim. Non-
Muslim residents can follow their religion in private, but not in public.
vi) Women are subjected to many public restrictions. The testimony of one man
is considered equal to that of two women.

4. Why rights are important  importance in Democracy.

i) Every one desires a system where security, dignity and fair play are assured to
everyone. No one should be arrested without proper reason and information.
And if someone is arrested, he or she should have a fair chance to defend
themselves.
ii) Such assurance cannot apply to everything. One has to be reasonable in what
one expects and demands of everyone else, for one has to grant the same to
everyone.
iii) But the assurance does not remain on paper, that there is someone to enforce
these assurances, that those who violate these are punished. In other words,
people want a system where at least a minimum is guaranteed to everyone –
powerful or weak, rich or poor, majority or minority. This is the spirit behind
thinking about rights.
5. What are rights?
Rights are claims of a person over other fellow beings, over the society and over
the government.
Rights are reasonable claims of persons recognized by society and sanctioned by
law.
6. What are the three qualities that a claim should have to become a right?
i) It should be reasonable claims of citizens that are equally possible for others.
ii) It should be recognized by society. Rights acquire meaning only in society.
iii) It should be sanctioned by law.
7. ‘The notion of rights changes from time to time and society to society’. Expalin with example.
What all rights that we enjoy today were not granted to citizens in the early period.
Two hundred years ago anyone who said that women should have right to vote
would have sounded strange. Today not granting them vote in Saudi Arabia
appears strange.
8. What is the role of rights in Democracy?

OR

 Why do we need rights in a democracy?
i) Rights protect minorities from the oppression of majority. They ensure that the
majority cannot do whatever it likes. Rights are guarantees which can be used
when things go wrong.
ii) Things may go wrong when some citizens may wish to take away the rights of
others. This usually happens when those in majority want to dominate those in
minority.
iii) The government should protect the citizens’ rights in such a situation. But
sometimes elected governments may not protect or may even attack the rights of
their own citizens. That is why some rights need to be placed higher than the
government, so that the government cannot violate these. In most democracies
the basic rights of the citizen are written down in the constitution.

9. Explain the term Right to Equality.
i) The Constitution says that the government shall not deny to any person in India
equality before the law or the equal protection of the laws. It means that the laws
apply in the same manner to all, regardless of a person’s status. This is called the
rule of law. Rule of law is the foundation of any democracy. It means that no
person is above the law. There cannot be any distinction between a political
leader, government official and an ordinary citizen. No person can legally claim
any special treatment or privilege just because he or she happens to be an
important person.
ii) This basic position is further clarified in the Constitution by spelling out some
implications of the Right to Equality. The government shall not discriminate
against any citizen on grounds of religion, caste, ethnicity, sex or place of birth.
Every citizen shall have access to public places like shops, restaurants, hotels,
and cinema halls.
iii) Similarly, there shall be no restriction with regard to the use of wells, tanks,
bathing ghats, roads, playgrounds and places of public resorts maintained by
government or dedicated to the use of general public.
iv) The same principle applies to public jobs. All citizens have equality of
opportunity in matters relating to employment or appointment to any position in
the government. No citizen shall be discriminated against or made ineligible for
employment on the grounds mentioned above.
10. Why do we consider Right to freedom a cluster of several rights?

OR What are the main provision of right to freedom.
There are many freedoms included under Right to Freedom. Under the Indian
Constitution all citizens have the right to:
i) Freedom of speech and expression
ii) Citizens have the freedom to hold meetings processions rallies and
demonstrations on any issue. (Assembly in a peaceful manner)
iii) Form associations and unions
iv) Move freely throughout the country
v) Reside in any part of the country, and
vi) Practice any profession, or to carry on any occupation, trade or business.

11. What are the provisions in the Constitution regarding the Right against
exploitation?
The Constitution mentions three specific evils and declares these illegal.
i) First, the Constitution prohibits ‘traffic in human beings’. Traffic here means
selling and buying of human beings, usually women, for immoral purposes.
ii) Second, our Constitution also prohibits forced labour or begar in any form.
‘Begar’ is a practice where the worker is forced to render service to the ‘master’
free of charge or at a nominal remuneration. When this practice takes place on a
life-long basis, it is called the practice of bonded labour.
iii) Finally, the Constitution also prohibits child labour. No one can employ a child
below the age of fourteen to work in any factory or mine or in any other
hazardous work, such as railways and ports. Using this as a basis many laws have
been made to prohibit children from working in industries such as beedi making,
firecrackers and matches, printing and dyeing.
12. Explain the right to freedom of religion.
a. India is a secular state. A secular state is one that does not establish any one
religion as official religion. Indian secularism practices an attitude of an equal
distance from all religions. The state has to be neutral and impartial in dealing
with all religions.
b. Every person has a right to profess, practice and propagate any religion that
he or she believes in.
c. There shall be no religious instruction in the government educational
institutions. In educational institutions managed by private bodies no person
shall be compelled to take part in any religious instruction or to attend any
religious worship.
13. What are the cultural and educational rights granted to minorities?
i) Any section of citizens with a distinct language or culture have a right to
conserve it.
ii) Admission to any educational institution maintained by government or receiving
government aid cannot be denied to any citizen on the ground of religion or
language.
iii) All minorities have the right to establish and administer educational institutions
of their choice.

14. Explain the term Right to Constitutional remedy.
a. Fundamental Rights are guaranteed against the actions of the Legislatures, the
Executive, and any other authorities instituted by the government. There can be
no law or action that violates the Fundamental Rights.
b. If any act of the Legislature or the Executive takes away or limits any of the
Fundamental Rights it will be invalid. We can challenge such laws of the central
and state governments, the policies and actions of the government or the
governmental organizations like the nationalized banks or electricity boards.
c. Courts also enforce the Fundamental Rights against private individuals and
private bodies. The Supreme Court and High Courts have the power to issue
directions, orders or writs for the enforcement of the Fundamental Rights. They
can also award compensation to the victims and punishment to the violators.

15. How can judiciary protect fundamental rights of citizens?
i) In case of any violation of a Fundamental Right the aggrieved person can go to a
court for remedy. The Supreme Court and High Courts have the power to issue
directions, orders or writs for the enforcement of the Fundamental Rights. They
can also award compensation to the victims and punishment to the violators
ii) Now, any person can go to court against the violation of the Fundamental Right,
if it is of social or public interest. It is called Public Interest Litigation (PIL).
Under the PIL any citizen or group of citizens can approach the Supreme Court
or a High Court for the protection of public interest against a particular law or
action of the government. One can write to the judges even on a postcard. The
court will take up the matter if the judges find it in public interest.

16. Explain the expanding scope of rights.
i) From time to time, the courts gave judgments to expand the scope of rights.
Certain rights like right to freedom of press, right to information, and right to
education are derived from the Fundamental Rights.
ii) Now school education has become a right for Indian citizens. The governments
are responsible for providing free and compulsory education to all children up to
the age of 14 years.
iii) Parliament has enacted a law giving the right to information to the citizens. This
Act was made under the Fundamental Right to freedom of thought and
expression. We have a right to seek information from government offices.
iv) Recently the Supreme Court has expanded the meaning of the right to life to
include the right to food. Also, rights are not limited only to Fundamental Rights
as enumerated in the Constitution.
v) Constitution provides many more rights, which may not be Fundamental Rights.
For example the right to property is not a Fundamental Right but it is a
constitutional right. Right to vote in elections is an important constitutional right.
Sometimes the expansion takes place in what is called human rights. These are
universal moral claims that may or may not have been recognized by law. In that
sense these claims are not rights. With the expansion of democracy all over the
world, there is greater pressure on governments to accept these claims.

17. What are fundamental rights?
These are the basic rights granted to citizens of India by the Constitution. In
India, like most other democracies in the world, rights are mentioned in the
Constitution. Some rights which are fundamental to our life are given a special
status. They are called Fundamental Rights.

18. What are the new rights granted to the Government of South Africa to its
people?
i) Right to privacy, so that citizens or their home cannot be searched, their phones
cannot be tapped, their communication cannot be opened.
ii) Right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well being;
iii) Right to have access to adequate housing.
iv) Right to have access to health care services, sufficient food and water; no one
may be refused emergency medical treatment.

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.

Chapter-7

Outcomes of Democracy

Is democracy a better form of government when compared with dictatorship or any other alternative?

Ans. yes, Democracy is better form of government because

1.    it promotes equality among citizens.

2.    it enhances the dignity of the individual

3.    it improves the quality of decision making

4.    it provides a method to resolve conflicts

5.    it allows room to correct mistakes

We all know that democracy is a better form of government when compared with other form of government. But some time we fall in dilemma ,and start questioning the credibility of democracy when some of our need is not fulfilled ,after being in democracy. And that is why it becomes necessary to analyze and compare the outcome of democracy with other form of government.

Now before going on outcome ,it is necessary to understand that democracy is just a form of government. It can only create condition for achieving something. The citizen have to take advantage of those conditions and achieve their goal.

Now while analyzing outcome of democracy we can expect hundred of things but what should  be the minimum reasonable expectation that a democracy of any place must fulfill.

The minimum reasonable expectation  are

a)People should have the right to choose their rulers and have control over them.

b)Citizens should be able to participate in decision-making that affects them all.

c)The government should be termed accountable to the citizens and responsive to the needs and expectations of the citizens.

d) A democratic government should be legitimate government

If you wanted to measure the democracy on the basis of above expectations then you should  look for the following things ,whether these things are practiced in democracy or not.

A) Regular ,free and fair election

b)Open public debate on major policies and legislation

c)Citizen right to inform about the government and its function

Actual performance –

It has greater success in holding regular and free elections and setting up conditions for open public debate.  But does not provide fair chance to everyone and in subjecting every decision to public debate.

Democratic governments do not have a very good record when it comes to sharing information with citizens.  But still compared to non-democracies they are better in this respect.

Democracies often frustrate the needs of the people and often ignore the demands of a majority of its population. They ignore the needs and demands of a majority of its population. They are corrupted also but even non democracies are not less corrupt.

On the above criteria ,you may not be satisfy with the result of  democracy ,but it is sure that ,so far a democracy has gone to fulfill these criteria is way ahead from other form of government.

And in the criteria of legitimate government , democracy is certainly better than its alternative. Because a democratic  government is people own government. There is an overwhelming support for the idea of democracy all over the world. The accompanying evidence from South Asia shows, the support exists in countries with democratic regimes as well as countries without democratic regimes. People wish to be ruled by representatives elected by them. They also believe that democracy is suitable for their country. Democracy’s ability to generate its own support is itself an outcome that cannot be ignored

You may ask that ,Is the democratic government efficient? Is it effective? Because in a non democratic government decision taking is very fast.

         Yes, other form of government may take decisions very fast. But it may take decisions which are not accepted by the people and may therefore face problems. Democracy is based on the idea of deliberation and negotiation. So, some delay is bound to take place. In contrast, the democratic government will take more time to follow procedures before arriving at a decision. But because it has followed procedures, its decisions may be both more acceptable to the people and more effective. So, the cost of time that democracy pays is perhaps worth it.

Economic growth and development (Economic outcome)

Dictatorships have slightly higher rate of economic growth

Economic development depends upon several other factors – population, global situation, cooperation from other countries, economic policies.

Differences in the rates of economic development between less developed countries with dictatorships and democracies are negligible.

Conclusion - Democracy is not a guarantee of economic development. But we can expect democracy not to lag behind dictatorships in this respect. When we find such significant difference in the rates of economic growth between countries under dictatorship and democracy, it is better to prefer democracy as it has several other positive outcomes

Have democracies promoted economic growth and development?

If we consider all democracies and dictatorships in 50 years between 1950 and 2000,we find that dictatorships have a slightly higher rate of economic development. Moreover economic growth is dependent on several factors such as: -the country’s population size, global situation, co-operation from other countries, economic priorities adopted by the country etc. So we cannot say that democracy can guarantee economic development but democracy will not lag behind dictatorships in this respect.

Reduction of inequality and poverty (Economic outcome)

·         Democracy is based on political equality. But along with this we can see economic inequality growing.

·         A small number of ultra-rich enjoy a highly disproportionate share of wealth and incomes and their share in total income of the country is increasing..

·         On the other hand the income of poor is declining. Sometimes they find it difficult to meet their basic needs of life, such as food, clothing, house, education and health.

·         Though poor constitute a large proportion of voters, yet the democratic governments are not keen to take up the question of poverty  The situation is much worse in some other countries.

Accommodation of social diversity (Social outcome)

How democracy  accommodate diversities

# Democracies develop a procedure to conduct their competition which reduces tension among them

# The social differences are respected in democracies and some mechanism is evolved to negotiate the differences

Conditions to achieve the above outcome

# Democracy is not just rule by majority but also takes minority’s view. The majority always needs to work with the minority

# Rule by majority should not be rule by majority community in terms of religion or caste or linguistic group. Democracy allows every citizen to be in majority at some point of time

Dignity and freedom of the citizens

Democracy respects all the individuals equally. The passion for respect and freedom are the basis of democracy.

Instances

Dignity of women –

Long struggles against male dominated societies have created some sensitivity to respect and treat women equally.

It becomes easier for women now to wage a struggle against what is now unacceptable legally and morally.

In a non-democratic set up, this unacceptability would not have legal basis because the principle of individual freedom and dignity would not have the legal and moral force there.

Caste discrimination –

The claims of disadvantaged and discriminated castes for equal status and dignity have been strengthened.

Caste based inequalities are still practiced in our society but it lacks legal and moral foundations.

It is the recognition that makes ordinary citizens value their democratic right.

People’s demand for more benefits –

Most distinctive about democracy is that its examination never gets over. As democracy passes one test, it produces another test. As people get some benefits of democracy, they ask for more and want to make democracy even better

Fact that people are complaining is itself a testimony to the success of democracy. This shows people’s awareness and ability to expect and look at power holders and high and mighty.

It shows the transformation of people from the status of subject into that of citizen.

The citizens believe that their votes make a difference to the way the government is run and to their own self interest.

Outcomes of Democracy: NCERT Solution

How does democracy produce an accountable, responsive and legitimate government?

Answer: The democratically elected government is answerable to people. If a government does not function as per the wishes of the people, it would lose the next elections and would be thrown out of power. Hence, it needs to be accountable to people. Similarly, the government has to be responsive to the problems and aspirations of people; otherwise people would choose the next better alternative when the opportunity comes. The government is elected by the majority of the people and hence is a legitimate government.

What are the conditions under which democracies accommodate social diversities?

Asnwer: Conflicts arising out of social diversity is not possible to be completely eliminated. Yet such conflicts are kept at the minimum possible level in a democracy. Democracy builds on consensus in which interests of various sections of the society are respected and catered to. Thus, social diversities are accommodated in a democracy.

Give arguments to support or oppose the following assertions:

Industrialised countries can afford democracy but the poor need dictatorship to become rich.

Asnwer: Although examples of many countries under dictatorship suggest that economic growth can be good in such countries, yet some democracies are also in sound economic health. Many poor countries of the past have progressed under democratic rule, although the growth may have been slow. Looking at the cost benefit analysis, it can be said the even for a poor country, democracy is always a better option rather than dictatorship to strive for becoming rich.

Democracy can’t reduce inequality of incomes between different citizens.

Asnwer: This is a true reality that inequality of incomes cannot be reduced between different citizens; no matter which type of government system is in place. Even the past experience of socialism in Russia and China suggest that it is almost impossible to create a society where everyone is equal in terms of economic power. The same holds true for democracy also.

Government in poor countries should spend less on poverty reduction, health, education and spend more on industries and infrastructure.

Asnwer: While it is always prudent to spend on industries and infrastructure for better employment generation, the role of social security cannot be ignored. There are many people who are so poor and oppressed that they need some sort of help to improve their condition. Poverty eradication, health benefits and education schemes should always be in place for such people. A proper balance should be struck in spending on social security and on industries.

In democracy all citizens have one vote, which means that there is absence of any domination and conflict.

Asnwer: In theory, it is true that the formula of one person one vote negates the effect of domination and conflict. But in the real world, a society can be very complex. It is a basic instinct of people or a group of people to dominate others at the very first opportunity. Similarly, conflicts are bound to arise in the society. However, democracy minimizes the effect of such tendency to a certain extent.

Identify the challenges to democracy in the following descriptions. Also suggest policy/institutional mechanism to deepen democracy in the given situations:

Following a High Court directive a temple in Orissa that had separate entry doors for dalits and non-dalits allowed entry for all from the same door.

Asnwer: This example shows the challenge of ensuring dignity and freedom of its citizens. In this case, the judiciary interfered in the matter and the Right to Equality was enforced.

A large number of farmers are committing suicide in different states of India.

Asnwer: This is a challenge of economic inequality. The government can implement some bailout package so that farmers are not forced to commit suicide. This can be done through providing a minimum support price for the farm produce and some sort of loan waiver scheme for the farmers.

Following allegation of killing of three civilians in Gandwara in a fake encounter by Jammu and Kashmir police, an enquiry has been ordered.

Asnwer: This is a challenge of dignity and freedom of citizens and the Right to Equality. The police department and the Judiciary can take corrective measures in this case.

1. In the context of democracies, which of the following ideas is correct – democracies have successfully eliminated:

a. Conflicts among people

b. Economic inequalities among people

c. Differences of opinion about how marginalised sections are to be treated

d. The idea of political inequality

Asnwer: (d) The idea of political inequality

1. In the context of assessing democracy which among the following is odd one out. Democracies need to ensure:

a. Free and fair elections

b. Dignity of the individual

c. Majority rule

d. Equal treatment before law

Asnwer: (c) Majority rule

1. Studies on political and social inequalities in democracy show that

a. Democracy and development go together.

b. Inequalities exist in democracies.

c. Inequalities do not exist under dictatorship.

d. Dictatorship is better than democracy.

Asnwer: (b) Inequalities exist in democracies