Question

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 1

The correct option is 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 to do with the possibility of famine in a country.

• In the world history of famines, China faced the worst famine in history from 1958 to 1961.
• Due to this famine, nearly three crore people lost their lives.
• During that time period the economic condition of India was not better than China.
• Yet India did not face famine.
• The Chinese Government did not respond to the problem of food scarcity the way Indian Government responded in India. This was possible due to the existence of democracy in India.
• It has been observed that there has been no large scale famine in a democratic and independent country.
• The deaths of so many people in China could have been avoided if there was a free press which had the freedom to criticise, if there were opposition parties, if there were multiparty elections.
• When it comes to responding to the needs of the people, democratic form of government is better suited than any other form of government.
• A non democratic government may respond to the needs of the people, but it all comes down to the whims and fancies of the people who rule.
• In a democracy, the Government is held accountable and therefore they have to respond to the needs of the people, whereas in the non democratic Government, they are not accountable to the people, hence they may not respond to the needs of the people.