NCERT 9th Class (CBSE) Social Science: What is Democracy? Why Democracy?

Question: How does democracy provide a method to deal with differences and conflicts?

Answer: In any society people are bound to have differences of opinions and interests. These differences are particularly sharp in a country like India which has lot of social diversity. The preference of one group may class with those of the other groups. Democracy provides the only peaceful solution to this problem. In democracy, no one is a permanent winner or a permanent loser. Different groups can live with one another peacefully. In a diverse country like ours, democracy keeps our country together.

Question: Write any four disadvantage of democracy.

Answer:

1. Leaders keep changing in a democracy. This leads to instability.
2. Democracy is all about political competition and power play. There is no scope for morality.
3. So many people have to be consulted in a Democracy that it leads to delays.
4. Elected leaders do not know the best interest of the people. It leads to bad decisions.

Question: How does a democratic government rule within limits set by Constitutional Law? Give three reasons.

Answer: A democratic government cannot do whatever it likes simply because it has won an election. Every major decision has to go through a series of consultations. Every office bearer has certain rights and responsibilities assigned by the constitution and the law. A democratic government rules within limits set by constitutional law and citizens rights.

Question: What is the significance of the rule of law and respect for rights in democratic country? State four points.

Answer: A democratic government cannot do whatever it likes simply because it has won an election. It has to respect some basic rules. In particular it has to respect some guarantees to the minorities. Every major decision has go through a series of consultation. Every office bearer has certain rights and responsibilities assigned by the Constitution and the law. Each is accountable not but only to law to other independent officials.

Question: Why is democracy called a “government by discussion”?

Answer: It is called a “government by discussion” because a democracy is based on consultation and discussion. A democratic decision always involves many persons discussions and meetings. When a member of people together think over a certain matter they are able to point out possible mistakes. This takes time. But there is big advantage in taking time. This reduces rush decisions, problems are not resolved by brutal force but by peaceful discussions. It offers best alternative that we know.

Question: Why does a democratic country always need a constitution?

Answer: All countries that are democratic will have constitutions. After the war of independence against Great Britain the Americans gave themselves a constitution. After the revolution the French people approved a democratic constitution. Since then it has became a practice in all democracies to have a written constitution.