Class 9 Social Science Notes Chapter 1 (Democracy in the contemporary world) – Democratic Politics Book

Alright class, let's focus on Chapter 1, 'Democracy in the Contemporary World'. This chapter sets the stage for understanding what democracy means and how it has spread across the globe, which is crucial not just for your exams but also for understanding the world we live in. Pay close attention, as these foundational concepts often appear in government exams.

Chapter 1: Democracy in the Contemporary World - Detailed Notes

1. What is Democracy?

• Democracy is a form of government where the rulers are elected by the people.
• Derived from Greek words: 'demos' (people) and 'kratia' (rule).
• Key Features (elaborated in later chapters, but introduced here):
  • Rulers elected by the people take major decisions.
  • Elections offer a free and fair choice to change current rulers.
  • This choice is available to all people on an equal basis (Universal Adult Franchise).
  • The exercise of this choice leads to a government limited by basic rules of the constitution and citizens' rights.

2. Two Tales of Democracy:

This chapter uses two contrasting stories to illustrate the struggle for democracy:

• A. Chile:

  • Democratic Phase (1970-1973):
    • Salvador Allende, leader of the Socialist Party, won the presidential election in 1970.
    • He implemented policies favouring the poor and workers: land redistribution, educational reforms, free milk for children, nationalisation of copper mines.
    • His policies were opposed by the rich elite, landowners, the Church, some political parties, and significantly, the government of the USA (which feared socialist influence and loss of control over resources).
  • Military Coup (September 11, 1973):
    • The military, led by General Augusto Pinochet and supported externally (implicitly by the USA), staged a coup.
    • They bombed the Presidential Palace (La Moneda). President Allende refused to resign or leave the country and died during the coup (reportedly suicide).
  • Military Dictatorship (1973-1990):
    • General Pinochet became President and ruled Chile as a dictator for the next 17 years.
    • His government suppressed political activities, tortured and killed thousands who opposed him (including General Alberto Bachelet of the Air Force, whose daughter Michelle Bachelet later became President).
  • Restoration of Democracy:
    • Pinochet held a referendum in 1988, confident of victory, but the people voted decisively against his continued rule.
    • This led to the restoration of political freedom and multi-party elections.
    • General Bachelet's daughter, Michelle Bachelet, was elected President of Chile in 2006, symbolising the return to democracy.

• B. Poland:

  • Communist Rule (Post-WWII - 1989):
    • Poland was ruled by the Polish United Workers' Party (a communist party). No other party was allowed to function.
    • The government was supported and controlled by the Soviet Union (USSR).
    • People could not freely choose leaders, express opinions, or form associations.
  • The Gdansk Shipyard Strike (August 1980):
    • Workers at the Lenin Shipyard in Gdansk went on strike, initially demanding the reinstatement of a wrongly dismissed woman worker.
    • The strike was led by Lech Walesa, an electrician previously dismissed for demanding higher pay.
    • The strike spread, and demands grew to include the right to form independent trade unions.
  • Solidarity (Solidarność):
    • The government conceded, and an independent trade union called Solidarity was formed – the first of its kind in a communist state.
    • It gained immense popularity rapidly (membership reached over one crore).
  • Martial Law (December 1981):
    • Alarmed by Solidarity's popularity, General Jaruzelski imposed martial law.
    • Thousands of Solidarity members were imprisoned, and freedom was curtailed again.
  • Transition to Democracy:
    • Another wave of strikes led by Solidarity occurred in 1988. The Polish economy was declining, and Soviet influence was weakening.
    • Negotiations between Walesa and the government led to an agreement in April 1989 for free elections.
    • In the elections held for the Senate (100 seats), Solidarity won 99 seats.
    • In October 1990, Lech Walesa was elected President of Poland, marking the end of communist rule.

3. Phases in the Expansion of Democracy:

• Early Beginnings: While modern democracy traces roots to the French Revolution (1789), its establishment was gradual. Britain and the USA had democratic elements earlier, but voting rights were limited (often to men of property). Universal Adult Franchise took time (e.g., New Zealand 1893, UK 1928, USA 1965 for all races).
• End of Colonialism (Mid-20th Century): After World War II, many countries in Asia and Africa gained independence from colonial rule. Many, like India, adopted democracy. However, some faced challenges, with democracy being overthrown by military coups or dictatorships (e.g., Ghana, Pakistan, Burma/Myanmar).
• The Recent Phase (Post-1980):
  • A major push towards democracy began around 1980.
  • Dictatorships fell in several Latin American countries (like Chile).
  • The disintegration of the Soviet Union (1991) led to the emergence of democracy in many Eastern European countries (like Poland) and former Soviet republics.
  • The trend continued, although progress remains uneven across different regions. By 2005, about 140 countries were holding multi-party elections.

4. Democracy at the Global Level:

• Is there democracy at the global level? Not really, in the sense of a world government elected by people.
• International Organizations:
  • United Nations (UN): The main global body.
    • General Assembly: Like a parliament with representatives from all 193 member states (as of recent data). Each country has one vote. Decisions are not binding on countries.
    • Security Council: Has 15 members. 5 are permanent (USA, Russia, UK, France, China) with veto power (can block any decision). 10 are non-permanent members elected for 2-year terms. The real power lies here, but it's dominated by the permanent five. This structure is often criticized as undemocratic.
  • International Monetary Fund (IMF) & World Bank: Major global financial institutions.
    • Voting rights are weighted based on the financial contribution of each country.
    • Rich countries (like the US, Japan, Germany, France, UK) have significant control over decisions, which affect economies worldwide, especially developing nations. The heads have traditionally been from specific powerful nations (World Bank President usually American, IMF Managing Director usually European).
• Challenges to Global Democracy:
  • Lack of a global government accountable to the world's population.
  • Unequal power dynamics in international organizations.
  • Powerful countries sometimes bypass international institutions or use their influence (economic or military) to interfere in the affairs of smaller/weaker nations (e.g., US involvement in Chile, Iraq invasion).

5. Promotion of Democracy:

• While powerful democratic nations sometimes claim to promote democracy globally, their actions can be selective or driven by self-interest.
• External intervention (military or otherwise) has a mixed record and can sometimes undermine democracy rather than promote it.
• The most crucial factor for establishing democracy is the internal struggle and desire of the people within a country. External factors can support, but rarely create, democracy on their own.

Conclusion:

• Democracy has become the most prevalent form of government globally in the contemporary world, but its spread has been uneven and often marked by struggle and setbacks.
• While democracy is established within many countries, achieving democracy between countries (at the global level) remains a significant challenge.
• The struggle for democracy – both establishing it and deepening its quality – is an ongoing process worldwide.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):

1. Who was the democratically elected President of Chile overthrown in a military coup in 1973?
   a) Lech Walesa
   b) General Jaruzelski
   c) Salvador Allende
   d) Augusto Pinochet

2. The independent trade union movement 'Solidarity' originated in which country?
   a) Chile
   b) Poland
   c) Soviet Union
   d) East Germany

3. General Augusto Pinochet ruled Chile as a dictator for approximately how many years?
   a) 5 years
   b) 10 years
   c) 17 years
   d) 25 years

4. Which event marked a significant step towards the restoration of democracy in Poland in 1989?
   a) The imposition of Martial Law
   b) The Gdansk Shipyard strike of 1980
   c) An agreement for free elections between the government and Solidarity
   d) Poland joining the European Union

5. Which of these international organizations features a Security Council where five permanent members hold veto power?
   a) International Monetary Fund (IMF)
   b) World Bank
   c) United Nations (UN)
   d) World Trade Organization (WTO)

6. In international financial institutions like the IMF and World Bank, voting power is primarily determined by:
   a) The size of a country's population
   b) The geographical size of the country
   c) The amount of money contributed by the country
   d) Equal votes for every member country

7. The military coup in Chile in 1973 received implicit support from which major foreign power?
   a) Soviet Union
   b) United Kingdom
   c) France
   d) United States of America

8. Lech Walesa, the leader of the Solidarity movement, later became the President of Poland. What was his original profession?
   a) Teacher
   b) Lawyer
   c) Shipyard Electrician
   d) Doctor

9. The major wave of democratic expansion across the globe, especially in Latin America and Eastern Europe, occurred primarily after which year?
   a) 1945
   b) 1960
   c) 1980
   d) 2000

10. According to the chapter, what is considered the most crucial factor for the establishment and sustenance of democracy in a country?
    a) Intervention by powerful foreign nations
    b) Decisions made by international organizations
    c) The internal struggle and desire of the people of that country
    d) Economic aid from wealthy countries

Answer Key for MCQs:

1. c) Salvador Allende
2. b) Poland
3. c) 17 years
4. c) An agreement for free elections between the government and Solidarity
5. c) United Nations (UN)
6. c) The amount of money contributed by the country
7. d) United States of America
8. c) Shipyard Electrician
9. c) 1980
10. c) The internal struggle and desire of the people of that country

Make sure you understand the reasoning behind each answer by referring back to the notes. This chapter provides essential context for the rest of the book. Good luck with your preparation!