NCERT 9th Class (CBSE) Social Science: Democracy in the Contemporary World

Question: What is veto power?

Answer: The power or right vested in one branch of a government to cancel or postpone the decisions, enactments, etc., of another branch, especially the right of a president, governor, or other chief executive to reject bills passed by the legislature. The exercise of this right. Also called veto message.

Question: English word ‘Democracy’ has been derived from which word of which language?

Answer: English word ‘Democracy’ has been derived from two Greek words-demos and cratia. Demos mean ‘the people’ and cratia means ‘power’.

Question: What do you mean by democracy?

Answer: Democracy is a form of government in which the administration of the country is run by the representatives who are elected by the people.

Question: Give any two definitions of democracy.

Answer: The two definitions of democracy are as under:

1. In the words of Abraham Lincoln, “Democracy is government of the people, by the people and for the people.”
2. According to Seeley, “Democracy is a government in which everybody has a share.”

Question: What are the different types (kinds) of Democracy?

Answer: Democracy is of two types: (i) Direct Democracy and (ii) Indirect Democracy.

Question: Name any two countries which have indirect democracy.

1. India
2. USA

Question: Name anyone country where direct democracy prevails.

Answer: Switzerland

Question: Name any two characteristics of Democracy.

1. Elected representatives: Administration of the country is run by the representatives who are elected by the people.
2. Independent judiciary: Independence of judiciary is an essential characteristic of democracy. It means that Judiciary must be free from any control of the legislature or the executive.

Question: When was President Allende overthrown in Chile and under whose leadership, the revolt by the army took place?

Answer: The revolt by the army took place in Chile on 1973, under General Augusto Pinnochet in which President Allende was killed.

Question: When did General Augusto Pinochet’s rule put for Referendum and what was its result?

Answer: Referendum regarding General’s rule was held in Question: 988 and people voted against his rule. As a result, democracy was restored in Chile.

Question: Which country in Africa was the first to become independent?

Answer: Ghana was the first African country to become independent in Question: 957.

Question: Name any two countries which have one party’s dictatorship.

1. China
2. North Korea

Question: What do you understand by Universal Adult Franchise?

Answer: Universal Adult Franchise is a system of election in which all the adult citizens, irrespective of the caste, creed, religion or sex etc., have the right to vote. In India, the minimum age for adulthood is 18 years.