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Here is some information about four countries. Based on this information, how would you classify each of these countries. Write ‘democratic’, ‘undemocratic’ or ‘not sure’ against each of these. a) Country P: The parliament cannot pass a law about the army without the consent of the Chief of Army. b) Country Q: The parliament cannot pass a law reducing the powers of the judiciary. c) Country R: The country’s leaders cannot sign any treaty with another country without taking permission from its neighbouring country. d) Country S: All the major economic decisions about the country are taken by officials of the central bank which the ministers cannot change.

Answers: a) Country P – Undemocratic b) Country Q – Democratic c) Country R – Undemocratic d) Country S – Undemocratic... View Article

Ramesh was not in class when this chapter was being taught. He came the next day and repeated what he had heard from his father. Can you tell Ramesh what is wrong with these statements? a) Women always vote the way men tell them to. So what is the point of giving them the right to vote? b) Party politics creates tension in society. Elections should be decided by consensus not by competition. c) Only graduates should be allowed to stand as candidates for elections.

a) Women always vote the way men tell them to. So what is the point of giving them the right... View Article

Which of these is not a valid reason for arguing that there is a lesser possibility of famine in a democratic country? a) Opposition parties can draw attention to hunger and starvation. b) Free press can report suffering from famine in different parts of the country. c) Government fears its defeat in the next elections. d) People are free to believe in and practise any religion.

Answer: The correct answer is option (D). The freedom of people to practice and believe in any religion has nothing... View Article

Are there restrictions on the right to freedom justified? Give reasons for your answer. a) Indian citizens need permission to visit some border areas of the country for reasons of security. b) Outsiders are not allowed to buy property in some areas to protect the interest of the local population. c) The government bans the publication of a book that can go against the ruling party in the next elections.

There are restrictions on the right to freedom. Right to freedom never allows a person to violate the freedom of... View Article

Here are different opinions about what made India a democracy. How much importance would you give to each of these factors? a) Democracy in India is a gift of the British rulers. We received training to work with representative legislative institutions under the British rule. b) Freedom Struggle challenged the colonial exploitation and denial of different freedoms to Indians. Free India could not be anything but democratic. c) We were lucky to have leaders who had democratic convictions. The denial of democracy in several other newly independent countries shows the important role of these leaders.

Answers: a) Democracy in India is a gift of the British rulers. We received training to work with representative legislative... View Article

Here is some information about the four countries. Based on this information, how would you classify each of these countries. Write ‘democratic’, ‘undemocratic’ or ‘not sure’ against each of these. a) Country A: People who do not accept the country’s official religion do not have a right to vote. b) Country B: The same party has been winning elections for the last twenty years. c) Country C: The Ruling party has lost in the last three elections. d) Country D: There is no independent election commission.

Answer: a) Country A is Undemocratic Every citizen should be given the right to vote and choose their rulers. If... View Article

Read the following statements about a constitution. Give reasons why each of these is true or not true. a) The authority of the rules of the constitution is the same as that of any other law. b) Constitution lays down how different organs of the government will be formed. c) Rights of citizens and limits on the power of the government are laid down in the constitution. d) A constitution is about institutions, not about values

Answers: a)False The Constitution is the basic foundation of democracy. All the articles in the Indian Constitution are guided by... View Article

Write a response to the following arguments against democracy: a) The army is the most disciplined and corruption-free organisation in the country. Therefore 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.

a)No, the army should not rule the country. If we consider the actual examples of different countries across the globe,... View Article

In dealing with social divisions which one of the following statements is NOT correct about democracy? a) Due to political competition in a democracy, social divisions get reflected in politics. b) In a democracy, it is possible for communities to voice their grievances in a peaceful manner. c) Democracy is the best way to accommodate social diversity. d) Democracy always leads to the disintegration of society on the basis of social divisions.

Answer: The correct answer is option (D) – The statement – Democracy always leads to the disintegration of society on... View Article