Download NCERT/CBSE Book: Class 10: SocialScience: DemocraticPolitics

How Are Democratic Governments Better Than Other Forms Of Governments?

Democracy is always preferable and superior to any other form of government because of the following reasons:
(i) Democracy promotes equality among citizens.
(ii) Democracy enhances dignity of individuals.
(iii) Democracy improves the quality of decision making.
(iv) Democracy develops competitive attitude
(v) Democracy evolves mechanism to negotiate
(vi) Democracy represents the general view
(vii) Democracy provides and accountable, responsive and legitimate government.

 

What Are The Main Features That Are Common In All Democratic Set-Ups Of The Governments?

Common features in all the democratic set-ups are:
(i) Elections are held at regular intervals and are free and fair.
(ii) A democracy has a multi-party system and elections are held on the basis of universal adult franchise.
(iii) Freedom of speech, expression and thought is another feature of democracy.
(iv) The media is free and helps in building a sound public opinion.
(v) Democracy gives its citizens a sound political system bases on equality.
(vi) Another feature of a democracy is a strong opposition which keeps in check the ruling party or the government.
(vii) One can correct one’s mistakes in a democracy and avoid conflicts.

 

What Is The Main Outcome Of Democracy With Reference To Reduction Of Inequality And Poverty?

Democracy is based on political equality. All individuals have equal right in electing representatives. Parallel to the process of bringing individuals into the political arena on an equal footing, find growing economic inequalities. A few number of rich enjoy a highly disproportionate share of wealth and incomes. Not only that their share in the total income of the country has been increasing. Those at the bottom of the society have very little to depend upon. Their incomes have been declining and sometimes they find it difficult to meet their basic needs of life such as food, clothing, house, education and health.

 

What Are The Merits And Demerits Each Of Dictatorship?

Merits:
(i) There are no competing political parties. Which ensures stability in the government.
(ii) The orders are carried out as soon as they are passed in dictatorship. This brings speed and efficiency in the system.
(iii) The dictators take all the decisions themselves. This enables them to take quick and decisive decisions.
Demerits:
(i) Suppression of civil Liberties. The people are not allowed to disagree with the policies and programs of the government.
(ii) As all the decisions are taken by the dictators themselves, therefore, they do not consult anybody before taking decisions.
(iii) Violence: Violence is very common in dictatorship. The dictators can go to any extent to remain in the power.

 

Important Terms Related To 10 Civics Chapter 7

Sovereignty: Supreme power of the state to take decisions in the internal as well as external matters.
Democracy: Democracy is a government in which everyone has a share.
Accountability: The responsibility or obligation of government officials to act in the best interests of people or society.
Dictatorship: An autocratic form of absolute rule by leadership unrestricted by law, constitution or other social and political factors.
By-elections: Special elections to few seats rendered vacant during the running term (by death, resignation or disqualification).
Legitimate Government: A government under which law and action of the government are revealed to the people and government function in transparent manner.

 

One Mark Questions With Answers

1. What is meant by Ballot?
2. In Which South Asian country is dictatorship preferred over democracy?
3. What does mean transparency?
4. Which South Asian country has always had a democratic government since independence?
5. Why is there a delay in decision-making and implementation in a democracy?

 

6. Which aspect of democracy describes that it is a government run by the consent of the people?
7. Which form of government stands much superior in promoting dignity and freedom of the individual?
8. Decisions taken by which type of government are likely to be more acceptable to the people and more effective?
9. Which South Asian country remains least doubtful about the suitability of democracy for its country?
10. Who has said ” Democracy is a government of the people, by the people and for the people.”

Answers of 1 Mark Questions

1. The paper on which the names of the candidates who are contesting elections for a particular office are printed and the voters indicate their choice for a particular candidate.
2. Pakistan
3. Right to examine decision making process.
4. India
5. Democracy is based on the idea of deliberation and negotiation.
6. Political Aspect
7. Democratic form of government.
8. Democratic government.
9. India
10. Abraham Lincoln.

 
 

Important Questions On Class 10 Civics Chapter 7

How does democracy produce an accountable, responsive and legitimate government?
Democracy produces an accountable, responsive and legitimate government by giving the citizen the right to examine the process by which decisions are made. These decisions are made according to norms and procedures which make the decisions more acceptable to the people. Added to this is the basic fact that in a democracy, the people have a right to elect their own government, and the candidate which is elected is thought to be capable enough to fulfil the demands of the people.
 
What are the conditions under which democracies accommodate social diversities?
Democracies accommodate social diversities when it is well understood that democracy is not just the rule of the majority, and that the rule of the majority is not just the rule of a single religious or social community.
 
Why can Industrialised countries afford democracy but the poor need dictatorship to become rich?
Industrialised countries can afford democracy but the poor need dictatorship to become rich. This statement is incorrect as can be seen from the examples of India and Zimbabwe. In 1947, India was included in the Third World nations, but now, it is one of the fast-growing economies in the world. On the other hand, Zimbabwe, which was a fairly prosperous nation, has run into huge international debt with the progression of Robert Mugabe’s regime.
 
 
Democracy can’t reduce inequality of incomes between different citizens. Give reason.
Democracy can’t reduce inequality of incomes between different citizens. This statement is incorrect. The Minimum Wages Act enacted by the government and other policies which regulate the basic price at which agricultural producers and small industries sell their goods, have helped increase the per capita income of the country, thereby making its citizens more prosperous.
 
Why should Government in poor countries spend less on poverty reduction, health, education and spend more on industries and infrastructure.
Government in poor countries should spend less on poverty reduction, health, education and spend more on industries and infrastructure. This is not a wise option as in poor countries, the people cannot afford health and education services.
 
In democracy all citizens have one vote, which means that there is absence of any domination and conflict. Why?
In democracy all citizens have one vote, which means that there is absence of any domination and conflict. This is not true as conflict can be eliminated only in an ideal situation. In real democracies, though every person has one vote, there are divisions among the people. These divisions lead to conflict.
 
What Are The Reason Which Make Democracy A Better Form Of Government?

The reason by which democracy is a better form of government:
Promotes equality among citizens; Enhances the dignity of the individual; Improves the quality of decision- making; Provides a method to resolve conflicts; and Allows room to correct mistakes.

 

What Are The Things That Show The Government Responsive?

The following practices and institutions Show the government responsive regular, free and fair elections; open public debate on major policies and legislations; and citizens’ right to information about the government and its functioning. The actual performance of democracies shows a mixed record on this. Democracies have had greater success in setting up regular and free elections and in setting up conditions for open public debate. But most democracies fall short of elections that provide a fair chance to everyone and in subjecting every decision to public debate. Democratic governments do not have a very good record when it comes to sharing information with citizens.

 

What Is The Reasonable To Expect From Democracy A Government?

In substantive terms it may be reasonable to expect from democracy a government that is attentive to the needs and demands of the people and is largely free of corruption. The record of democracies is not impressive on these populations. The routine tales of corruption are enough to convince us that democracy is not free of this evil

 

The Accountable Government

A government that may take decisions very fast. But it may take decisions that are not accepted by the people and may therefore face problems. In contrast, the democratic government will take more time to follow procedures before arriving at a decision. But because it has followed procedures, its decisions may be both more acceptable to the people and more effective. So, the cost of time that democracy pays is perhaps worth it. democracy ensures that decision making will be based on norms and procedures. So, a citizen who wants to know if a decision was taken through the correct procedures can find this out. She has the right and the means to examine the process of decision making. This is known as transparency. This factor is often missing from a non-democratic government. Therefore, when we are trying to find out the outcomes of democracy, it is right to expect democracy to produce a government that follows procedures and is accountable to the people.

 

Explain That In What Practice Many Democracies Did Not Fulfil The Expectation?

If you consider all democracies and all dictatorships for the fifty years between1950 and 2000, dictatorships have slightly higher rate of economic growth. The inability of democracy to achieve higher economic development worries us. But this alone cannot be reason to reject democracy. As you have already studied in economics, economic development depends on several factors: country’s population size, global situation, cooperation from other countries, economic priorities adopted by the country, etc. economic development between less developed countries with dictatorships and democracies is negligible.

 

What Is The One Feature Of Dictatorship? In Which Field Democracy Get More Success?

Dictatorship control all branches of government and heads. Democracy get the success due to people have equal rights and opportunities.

 

How It Is Better To Prefer Democracy?

When we find such significant difference in the rates of economic growth between countries under dictatorship and democracy, it is better to prefer democracy as it has several other positive outcomes.

 

The Government Legitimate

There is one respect in which democratic government is certainly better than its alternatives: democratic government is legitimate government. It may be slow, less efficient, not always very responsive or clean. But a democratic government is people’s own government. That is why there is an overwhelming support for the idea of democracy all over the world. As the accompanying evidence from South Asia shows, the support exists in countries with democratic regimes as well as countries without democratic regimes. People wish to be ruled by representatives elected by them.

 

How Democracy Stands Much Superior To Any Other Form Of Government In Promoting Dignity And Freedom Of The Individual?

Democracy stands much superior to any other form of government in promoting dignity and freedom of the individual. Every individual wants to receive respect from fellow beings. Often conflicts arise among individuals because some feel that they are not treated with due respect. The passion for respect and freedom are the basis of democracy. Democracies throughout the world have recognised this, at least in principle.

 

Explain How All Individuals Are Equal? Explain With Example.

Take the case of dignity of women. Most societies across the world were historically male dominated societies. Long struggles by women have created some sensitivity today that respect to and equal treatment of women are necessary ingredients of a democratic society. That does not mean that women are actually always treated with respect. But once the principle is recognised, it becomes easier for women to wage a struggle against what is now unacceptable legally and morally. In a non-democratic set up, this unacceptability would not have legal basis because the principle of individual freedom and dignity would not have the legal and moral force there. The same is true of caste inequalities.

 

What Are Benefit Of Democracy In India?

Democracy in India has strengthened the claims of the disadvantaged and discriminated castes for equal status and equal opportunity. There are instances still of caste-based inequalities and atrocities, but these lack the moral and legal foundations. Perhaps it is the recognition that makes ordinary citizens value their democratic rights.

 

The Accommodation Of Social Diversity

It is necessary to understand that democracy is not simply rule by majority opinion. The majority always needs to work with the minority so that governments function to represent the general view. Majority and minority opinions are not permanent. It is also necessary that rule by majority does not become rule by majority community in terms of religion or race or linguistic group, etc. Rule by majority means that in case of every decision or in case of every election, different persons and groups may and can form a majority. Democracy remains democracy only as long as every citizen has a chance of being in majority at some point of time. If someone is barred from being in majority on the basis of birth, then the democratic rule ceases to be accommodative for that person or group.

 

What Is The Most Distinctive About Democracy?

The most distinctive about democracy is that its examination never gets over. As people get some benefits of democracy, they ask for more and want to make democracy even better. That is why, when we ask people about the way democracy functions, they will always come up with more expectations, and many complaints. The fact that people are complaining is itself a testimony to the success of democracy: it shows that people have developed awareness and the ability to expect and to look critically at power holders and the high and the mighty.

 

How Is The Reduction Of Inequality Based?

Democracies are based on political equality. All individuals have equal weight in electing representatives. Parallel to the process of bringing individuals into the political arena on an equal footing, we find growing economic inequalities. A small number of ultra-rich enjoy a highly disproportionate share of wealth and incomes. Not only that, their share in the total income of the country has been increasing. Those at the bottom of the society have very little to depend upon. Their incomes have been declining. Sometimes they find it difficult to meet their basic needs of life, such as food, clothing, house, education and health.

 

“All Over The World Mostly Favor Democracy” Justify This Statement.

The rules for the country is directly elected by people. It made government to the people, for the people, by the people. It makes us allow to correct mistake. It secure fundamental right for its citizen. It enhances the dignity of its citizen.

 

Write Some Feature Of Non Democratic Government?

The ruler are accountable to people & heads. They have strict control of freedom of speech. No freedom of media so that they can’t say anything against government.

 

The Reduction Of Poverty

The poor constitute a large proportion of our voters and no party will like to lose their votes. Yet democratically elected governments do not appear to be as keen to address the question of poverty as you would expect them to. The situation is much worse in some other countries. In Bangladesh, more than half of its population lives in poverty. People in several poor countries are now dependent on the rich countries even for food supplies.