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

Question: “Democracy enhances the dignity of citizen”. Justify this statement.

Answer: Democracy is based on the principle of political equality on recognizing that the poorest and the least educated has the same status as the rich and the educated. People are not subjects of a ruler. They are the rulers themselves. Even when they make mistakes they are responsible for their conduct.

Question: “Democracy improve the quality of decision making”. Explain.

Answer: Democracy provides a method to deal with differences and conflicts. In any society people are bound to have difference of opinions and interests. These differences are particularly sharp a country like ours which has an amazing social diversity. People belong to different regions speak different languages, practice different religions and have different castes. Preferences of a groups can clash with those of other groups. Democracy provides the only peaceful solution to this problem. In democracy no one is a permanent winner. No one a permanent loser. In a diverse country like India, democracy keeps our country together.

Question: Give any four reasons why democracies resolve conflict in a better way than other forms of governments.

Answer: Democracies resolve conflict in a better way. Reasons:

1. It improves the quality of decision making. It has scope for consultation and discussion.
2. In a Democracy conflicts are not solved by brutal force but by peaceful solutions.
3. Even even when people / associations / government make mistakes for a democracy allows them to correct their mistakes; and
4. Democracy provides a forum for consultations and discussions to resolve conflicts.

Question: Despite its demerits why is democracy the most preferred form of government? Explain.

Answer: Despite its demerits democracy is still the most preferred form of government as it is:

1. A more accountable form of government. It responds to the needs of the people because the constitution requires it.
2. Better decision came for when many heads together strive to do so, this reduces the chance of rash decisions or irresponsible decisions plus a democracy enhances the dignity of citizens. It is clearly better than any other form of government.

Question: Why is democracy government a better government? Mention four reasons.

Answer: A democratic government is a better government as:

1. It offers better changes of a good decision;
2. It is always likely to respect people wishes and allows;
3. Different kinds of people to live together; and
4. Even when it fails to do something for the people it allows a way of correcting its mistakes and offers more dignity to all citizens. That is why a democracy is considered the best form of government.

Question: How can you say that every government that holds an election is not a democracy? Give an example to prove your point.

Answer: It is true that every government that holds an election is not a democracy. In many dictatorships and monarchies, there are formally elected parliaments and governments but the real power is with those who are not elected. Pakistan under General Musharraf could not be called a democracy because people there elected their representatives to the national and provincial assemblies but the power to take final decision rested with army officials and with General Musharraf.