Class 9 Civics

Meaning of Democracy

NCERT Exercise Solution

Part 1

Question 1: 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.

  1. Country A: People who do not accept the country’s official religion do not have a right to vote
  2. Country B: The same party has been winning elections for the last twenty years
  3. Country C: Ruling party has lost in the last three elections
  4. Country D: There is no independent election commission

Answer: (a) Undemocratic (b) Not Sure (c) Democratic (d) Undemocratic

Question 2: 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.

  1. Country P: The parliament cannot pass a law about the army without the consent of the Chief of Army
  2. Country Q: The parliament cannot pass a law reducing the powers of the judiciary
  3. Country R: The country’s leaders cannot sign any treaty with another country without taking permission from its neighbouring country.
  4. Country S: All the major economic decisions about the country are taken by officials of the central bank which the ministers cannot change.

Answer: (a) Undemocratic (b) Undemocratic (c) Not sure (d) Not sure

Question 3: Which of these is not a good argument in favour of democracy? Why?

  1. People feel free and equal in a democracy
  2. Democracies resolve conflict in a better way than others
  3. Democratic government is more accountable to the people
  4. Democracies are more prosperous than others

    Answer: Option 'd'. Economic prosperity depends on many factors; like availability of natural resources, quality of human resources, finance, geopolitical scenario, etc. A particular form of government is some role to play, so it cannot be seen as a good argument in favour of democracy.

Question 4: Each of these statements contains a democratic and an undemocratic element. Write out the two separately for each statement.

  1. A minister said that some laws have to be passed by the parliament in order to conform to the regulations decided by the World Trade Organisation.

    Answer: The fact that the laws need to be passed by the parliament is democratic, while conformation to the WTO regulations is undemocratic.
  2. The Election Commission ordered re-polling in a constituency where large scale rigging was reported.

    Answer: Re-polling is democratic, while rigging is undemocratic.
  3. Women’s representation in the parliament has never reached 10 per cent. This led women’s organisations to demand one-third seats for women.

    Answer: Poor level of women’s representation is undemocratic, while the demand for one-third seats is democratic.

Question 5: Which of these is not a valid reason for arguing that there is a lesser possibility of famine in a democratic country?

  1. Opposition parties can draw attention to hunger and starvation.
  2. Free press can report suffering from famine in different parts of the country.
  3. Government fears its defeat in the next elections.
  4. People are free to believe in and practise any religion.

    Answer: (d) People are free to believe in and practise any religion.