What Is Democracy Why Democracy — Class 9 Social Science NCERT Solutions (Free)
Free step-by-step NCERT solutions for Class 9 Social Science chapter "What Is Democracy Why Democracy" — 6 important questions with detailed answers for CBSE board exam preparation.
TL;DR: Free step-by-step NCERT solutions for Class 9 Social Science chapter "What Is Democracy Why Democracy" — 6 important questions with detailed answers f…
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NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Social Science — What Is Democracy Why Democracy. Step-by-step answers to all 6 textbook questions from this chapter, written for CBSE board preparation and free to use.
What Is Democracy Why Democracy — All 6 Questions Solved
Q1. What is democracy and what are its essential characteristics?
Democracy is a system of government where power resides with the people, exercised through voting and participation. Essential characteristics include: (1) Universal adult suffrage—equal voting rights for all adults, (2) Free and fair elections with multiple candidates and parties, (3) Protection of individual rights and freedoms, (4) Rule of law and limited government power, (5) Accountability of rulers to the public, (6) Peaceful transfer of power. Democracy requires active citizen participation.
Q2. What are the different forms of democracy?
Forms include: (1) Direct democracy—citizens directly make decisions (rare in large states, used in referendums), (2) Representative democracy—citizens elect representatives to make decisions (most common), (3) Indirect democracy—citizens elect officials who in turn elect other officials. India is a representative democracy where citizens vote for parliamentary representatives who legislate on their behalf.
Q3. Why is democracy considered the best form of government?
Democracy is considered best because: (1) It ensures peaceful change of government, avoiding violent upheavals, (2) It protects individual rights and freedoms, (3) It provides opportunity for citizens to influence decisions, (4) It allows diverse viewpoints and debate, (5) It is more accountable to people than authoritarian systems, (6) It provides equal status to all citizens. While imperfect, democracy has provided better outcomes than alternatives.
Q4. What are the advantages of democratic government?
Advantages include: (1) Citizens have voice in governance through voting, (2) Rights and freedoms are protected constitutionally, (3) Peaceful transfer of power through elections, (4) Government is accountable to people, (5) Diversity is recognized and accommodated, (6) Citizens can organize and protest against unjust policies, (7) Competent people can lead regardless of birth, (8) Better overall development and human rights record than dictatorships.
Q5. What are the challenges and limitations of democracy?
Challenges include: (1) Slow decision-making due to consultation and debate, (2) Incompetent leaders getting elected due to popular appeal, (3) Corruption and bribery of officials, (4) Majority tyranny where majority oppresses minorities, (5) Voter ignorance and manipulation through propaganda, (6) High administrative costs, (7) Difficulty in implementing unpopular but necessary decisions. These challenges require vigilant citizenship and good institutions to overcome.
Q6. Why did India choose democracy despite poverty and illiteracy?
India chose democracy because: (1) Anti-colonial struggle was fought for freedom and self-rule, (2) Democratic ideals aligned with Indian values of equality and pluralism, (3) Constitution enshrined democratic principles and rights, (4) Founding leaders like Ambedkar believed democracy could accommodate diversity, (5) Democracy was seen as means to ensure equality despite caste and class divisions. This choice has been vindicated by India's democratic stability.
What Is Democracy Why Democracy — Practice MCQs with Answers
Attempt these 20 multiple-choice questions after working through the solutions above. Each carries the correct option and the reasoning behind it, so a wrong answer tells you which idea to revisit.
MCQ 1. What is the most common form of government in modern democracies for large countries?
- A. Monarchy
- B. Dictatorship
- C. Representative Democracy
- D. Oligarchy
Answer: C. Representative Democracy — In modern large countries, it is impossible for all people to participate directly, hence citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf, leading to a representative democracy.
MCQ 2. General Pervez Musharraf's rule in Pakistan after 1999 is considered undemocratic primarily because:
- A. He held elections frequently.
- B. He allowed political parties to function freely.
- C. The final power rested with him, not with elected representatives.
- D. He respected the rights of minorities.
Answer: C. The final power rested with him, not with elected representatives. — In Musharraf's Pakistan, though elections were held, the real power was exercised by military officers and General Musharraf himself, not by the elected representatives, violating a core democratic principle.
MCQ 3. Which of the following principles is central to 'one person, one vote, one value' in a democracy?
- A. Universal adult franchise
- B. Limited voting rights
- C. Unequal weightage to votes
- D. Multiple votes for the wealthy
Answer: A. Universal adult franchise — Universal adult franchise ensures that every adult citizen has one vote, and each vote has equal value, which is a fundamental principle of democracy.
MCQ 4. The elections held in Mexico until 2000 were considered undemocratic mainly because:
- A. The ruling party (PRI) always lost.
- B. The opposition parties never campaigned.
- C. The PRI used many unfair means to win elections.
- D. Voters were forced to choose from a limited set of candidates.
Answer: C. The PRI used many unfair means to win elections. — Despite regular elections, the ruling party PRI in Mexico used various malpractices to ensure its victory, such as forcing government employees to attend party meetings and using media to criticise opposition, making elections unfair.
MCQ 5. Why is democracy considered better than other forms of government in dealing with differences and conflicts?
- A. It suppresses all minority voices.
- B. It allows a method to deal with differences and conflicts peacefully.
- C. It ensures that the majority always dictates terms.
- D. It bans all forms of protests and disagreements.
Answer: B. It allows a method to deal with differences and conflicts peacefully. — Democracy provides a mechanism through elections, parliamentary debates, and rule of law to resolve conflicts and accommodate diverse opinions peacefully, unlike dictatorships that often suppress dissent.
MCQ 6. Which of the following is an essential feature of democratic government regarding law?
- A. Rulers are above the law.
- B. Rulers must operate within limits set by the constitution and citizens' rights.
- C. Citizens have no rights against the government.
- D. Laws can be changed arbitrarily by the ruling party.
Answer: B. Rulers must operate within limits set by the constitution and citizens' rights. — A key feature of democracy is the rule of law, where the government and its rulers are bound by constitutional limits and respect for citizens' fundamental rights.
MCQ 7. Which of the following is a common argument *against* democracy?
- A. It promotes accountability.
- B. It leads to better decisions.
- C. Leaders keep changing, leading to instability.
- D. It respects individual dignity.
Answer: C. Leaders keep changing, leading to instability. — A common criticism of democracy is that frequent changes in leadership, due to elections and political competition, can lead to political instability and policy inconsistencies.
MCQ 8. A country where citizens take direct part in decision-making in every issue would be an example of:
- A. Representative democracy
- B. Minimal democracy
- C. Ideal democracy
- D. Undemocratic rule
Answer: C. Ideal democracy — An ideal democracy is one where every citizen is able to take part in decision-making directly, which is practically impossible in large modern states, making it an aspirational ideal.
MCQ 9. How does democracy ensure accountability of the government to its citizens, compared to a dictatorship?
- A. Dictatorships are more accountable to the people.
- B. Democracy allows citizens to choose and change their rulers through elections.
- C. In democracies, rulers are not bound by any laws.
- D. Dictators allow public protests to hold them accountable.
Answer: B. Democracy allows citizens to choose and change their rulers through elections. — In a democracy, citizens have the power to elect their representatives and remove them if dissatisfied, making the government accountable. A dictatorship lacks this electoral mechanism.
MCQ 10. In a democracy, who is the ultimate source of all political power?
- A. The military
- B. The judiciary
- C. The people
- D. The prime minister/president
Answer: C. The people — Democracy is fundamentally 'rule by the people,' meaning that all political power ultimately originates from and belongs to the citizens.
MCQ 11. Robert Mugabe's rule in Zimbabwe was undemocratic despite regular elections because:
- A. He always lost the elections.
- B. He respected the opposition parties.
- C. He used unfair practices to win elections and suppressed dissent.
- D. The country had a strong constitution.
Answer: C. He used unfair practices to win elections and suppressed dissent. — Despite winning elections regularly, Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF government used unfair practices, harassed opposition, and changed the constitution to increase his powers, violating the principle of free and fair elections.
MCQ 12. Which of the following best describes the democratic principle of 'dignity of the citizen'?
- A. All citizens are given equal wealth.
- B. Citizens are subject to the will of the majority only.
- C. All citizens are treated equally, regardless of their background, and have the right to express themselves.
- D. Only powerful citizens have dignity.
Answer: C. All citizens are treated equally, regardless of their background, and have the right to express themselves. — Democracy upholds the dignity of every citizen by ensuring equal status before the law and providing avenues for expression and participation, irrespective of their background or socio-economic status.
MCQ 13. Why is democracy considered a better form of government for making good decisions?
- A. It relies on a single leader's quick decisions.
- B. It involves consulting many people and discussions, reducing mistakes.
- C. It allows for arbitrary decisions without debate.
- D. It focuses only on the opinions of the ruling party.
Answer: B. It involves consulting many people and discussions, reducing mistakes. — Democracy involves extensive deliberations and discussions among many people and representatives, which helps in identifying potential errors and arriving at more responsible and well-thought-out decisions.
MCQ 14. Which country demonstrated that holding elections alone does not guarantee a democratic government?
- A. India
- B. United States
- C. Pakistan under Musharraf
- D. United Kingdom
Answer: C. Pakistan under Musharraf — Pakistan under General Pervez Musharraf held elections but the final decision-making power rested with Musharraf and the military, showing that elections without real power to elected representatives are insufficient for democracy.
MCQ 15. Which of the following statements reflects a broader understanding of democracy?
- A. Democracy is only about electing leaders.
- B. Democracy means every decision must be taken by elected representatives.
- C. Democracy involves principles of equality and justice applied in all spheres of life, not just government.
- D. Democracy means only the majority opinion counts.
Answer: C. Democracy involves principles of equality and justice applied in all spheres of life, not just government. — A broader understanding of democracy extends beyond governmental structures to encompass the principles of equality, justice, and respect for rights in social and economic life, aiming for democratic values in society as a whole.
MCQ 16. How does democracy enhance the dignity of citizens?
- A. By making all citizens wealthy.
- B. By treating all citizens as subjects to the ruler.
- C. By ensuring equality and individual rights, making citizens rulers of themselves.
- D. By allowing only the most educated to participate.
Answer: C. By ensuring equality and individual rights, making citizens rulers of themselves. — Democracy is based on the principle of political equality, where the poorest and the least educated have the same status and rights as the rich and the educated, thereby enhancing the dignity of all citizens.
MCQ 17. In which of the following non-democratic countries are citizens explicitly denied fundamental political rights?
- A. India
- B. United States
- C. Saudi Arabia
- D. France
Answer: C. Saudi Arabia — In countries like Saudi Arabia, many fundamental political rights, such as freedom of speech, assembly, and the right to choose leaders, are severely restricted or denied to citizens.
MCQ 18. Democracy is considered superior because it allows for a method to correct its own mistakes. How?
- A. By allowing leaders to never be questioned.
- B. By providing a space for public discussion of mistakes and allowing changes in rulers or policies.
- C. By ensuring no mistakes are ever made.
- D. By relying on the military to correct policies.
Answer: B. By providing a space for public discussion of mistakes and allowing changes in rulers or policies. — Democracy allows for public criticism of government mistakes, open discussions, and the possibility of changing rulers or policies through elections and public discourse, providing a built-in mechanism for self-correction.
MCQ 19. The word 'democracy' is derived from which language?
- A. Latin
- B. Greek
- C. French
- D. German
Answer: B. Greek — The word 'democracy' comes from the Greek words 'demos' (people) and 'kratia' (rule), meaning 'rule by the people'.
MCQ 20. A democratic decision involves:
- A. Only the opinion of the most powerful person.
- B. A process of consultation and consent of all those affected by the decision.
- C. Decisions made quickly without any debate.
- D. Decisions made by a select few elite individuals.
Answer: B. A process of consultation and consent of all those affected by the decision. — Democratic decision-making ideally involves broad consultation, deliberation, and taking into account the views and consent of all affected parties, rather than just a few powerful individuals or hasty actions.
How to Use These Solutions
Attempt each question yourself first and only then compare with the worked answer. Marks in the CBSE board exam are awarded for the METHOD as much as the final result, so reproduce the steps rather than memorising the last line. Where a solution states a law, a formula or a definition, learn that wording — examiners look for it.
Related practice for this chapter: chapter MCQs, previous-year questions, revision notes and sample papers.