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.
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
- Country S is undemocratic because the Finance Ministry should have the final powers in taking decisions related to the economy of the country. The Central Bank can advise the Finance Ministry pertaining to economic policies, but ultimately the Finance Minister is part of the Government and the Government is elected by the people and Government is accountable to the people.
- While signing treaties, Foreign Ministry can look into the positive and negative geopolitical implications with other countries and take actions accordingly, but taking permission from other countries to sign a treaty is absolutely undemocratic and is against the mandate of the citizens who voted the Government to power. Hence country R is undemocratic.
- The mandate of the Chief of Army is to protect the borders from external aggression. The Government can consult and take inputs from the Army chief while passing the laws related to the Army. In a democracy the ultimate powers are with the Government, and the Army chief does not have any right to prevent the lawmakers from passing laws related to the Army in the Parliament. Hence Country P is undemocratic.
- Country B is democratic because it indicates that the constitution has bestowed powers to the Judiciary and most importantly it also indicates that the Judiciary is independent, which is an important indicator of democracy in a country.
- The decision taken by the Supreme Court of India is binding on all other courts of India.
- The Supreme Court of India can take up any dispute that arises between the State Governments and the Central Government.
- The Supreme Court can take up any dispute that arises between two or more State Governments.
- The Supreme Court can take up any dispute that arises between the Government and the citizens.
- Neither the Legislature nor the Executive can control the Judiciary in India.
- The ruling party or government cannot direct the judges of courts in India.
- In India, if the courts find that any of the laws of Central Government or State Governments are unconstitutional, then the courts can declare those laws as invalid.
Answers:
a) Country P – Undemocratic
b) Country Q – Democratic
c) Country R – Undemocratic
d) Country S – Undemocratic
- Country S is undemocratic because the Finance Ministry should have the final powers in taking decisions related to the economy of the country. The Central Bank can advise the Finance Ministry pertaining to economic policies, but ultimately the Finance Minister is part of the Government and the Government is elected by the people and Government is accountable to the people.
- While signing treaties, Foreign Ministry can look into the positive and negative geopolitical implications with other countries and take actions accordingly, but taking permission from other countries to sign a treaty is absolutely undemocratic and is against the mandate of the citizens who voted the Government to power. Hence country R is undemocratic.
- The mandate of the Chief of Army is to protect the borders from external aggression. The Government can consult and take inputs from the Army chief while passing the laws related to the Army. In a democracy the ultimate powers are with the Government, and the Army chief does not have any right to prevent the lawmakers from passing laws related to the Army in the Parliament. Hence Country P is undemocratic.
- Country B is democratic because it indicates that the constitution has bestowed powers to the Judiciary and most importantly it also indicates that the Judiciary is independent, which is an important indicator of democracy in a country.
- The decision taken by the Supreme Court of India is binding on all other courts of India.
- The Supreme Court of India can take up any dispute that arises between the State Governments and the Central Government.
- The Supreme Court can take up any dispute that arises between two or more State Governments.
- The Supreme Court can take up any dispute that arises between the Government and the citizens.
- Neither the Legislature nor the Executive can control the Judiciary in India.
- The ruling party or government cannot direct the judges of courts in India.
- In India, if the courts find that any of the laws of Central Government or State Governments are unconstitutional, then the courts can declare those laws as invalid.
