Class 9 Social Science Notes Chapter 2 (What is democracy? Why democracy?) – Democratic Politics Book

Alright class, let's focus on Chapter 2 from your Democratic Politics book: 'What is Democracy? Why Democracy?'. This is a foundational chapter, not just for your exams but also for understanding how governments function, which is crucial for any government exam preparation. We'll break down the concepts systematically.

Chapter 2: What is Democracy? Why Democracy? - Detailed Notes

1. What is Democracy?

• Simple Definition: Often started with Abraham Lincoln's quote: "Democracy is government of the people, by the people, for the people."
• Need for Clarity: This simple definition isn't enough. We need to distinguish democracies from governments that pretend to be democratic.
• Origin: The word 'Democracy' comes from the Greek words 'Demos' (people) and 'Kratia' (rule). So, Democracy means 'rule by the people'.
• Core Idea: In essence, democracy is a form of government where the rulers are elected by the people. This leads to key questions: Who are the rulers? What kind of election? Who are the people? What form of government?

2. Features of Democracy

To understand democracy better, we analyse its key features, derived from the core idea:

• Feature 1: Major decisions by elected leaders.

  • Explanation: In a democracy, the final decision-making power must rest with those elected by the people. People chosen by the citizens should hold the real power.
  • Counter Example (Pakistan): General Pervez Musharraf led a military coup in 1999. He later held a referendum (often criticised as fraudulent) and issued a 'Legal Framework Order' amending the constitution, giving himself power to dismiss assemblies. While elected representatives existed, the final power rested with Musharraf and the military officers – unelected individuals. This violates the first feature.

• Feature 2: Free and fair electoral competition.

  • Explanation: Democracy must be based on elections where those currently in power have a fair chance of losing. It requires genuine political alternatives and choice for the voters. Holding elections isn't enough; they must be fair.
  • Counter Example (China): Elections are held, but only candidates approved by the Chinese Communist Party (or its allied smaller parties) can contest. The government is always formed by the Communist Party. There's no real choice for the people.
  • Counter Example (Mexico): Mexico held elections every six years since 1930. Until 2000, every election was won by the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). The PRI used many unfair tactics: coercion, controlling media, forcing government employees to attend rallies, last-minute polling booth shifts, etc. Elections were held, but they weren't fair.

• Feature 3: One person, one vote, one value.

  • Explanation: Democracy is based on the fundamental principle of political equality. Each adult citizen must have one vote, and each vote must have one value. There should be no discrimination based on gender, race, religion, wealth, etc., in the right to vote or the value of a vote.
  • Counter Examples:
    • Saudi Arabia (until 2015): Women did not have the right to vote.
    • Estonia: Citizenship rules made it difficult for people belonging to the Russian minority to get the right to vote.
    • Fiji: The electoral system gives more weight/value to the vote of an indigenous Fijian than that of an Indian-Fijian citizen.

• Feature 4: Rule of law and respect for rights.

  • Explanation: A democratic government rules within limits set by constitutional law and citizens' rights. The state must respect basic rights (freedom of thought, opinion, expression, association, protest). Laws apply equally to all, including rulers. There should be an independent judiciary.
  • Counter Example (Zimbabwe): Robert Mugabe and his party ZANU-PF ruled since independence (1980). Elections were held, and he was popular, but he increasingly used unfair practices. The constitution was amended multiple times to increase presidential powers. Opposition workers were harassed, media controlled, protests declared illegal, and court judgments ignored. A popular government can be undemocratic if it doesn't respect the rule of law and citizen rights.

3. Summary Definition of Democracy

Combining these features, we arrive at a clearer definition:
Democracy is a form of government in which the rulers are elected by the people; these elections offer a real choice between political alternatives and are held freely and fairly; this choice is available to all people on an equal basis (one person, one vote, one value); and the exercise of this choice leads to a government limited by basic rules of the constitution and citizens' rights.

4. Why Democracy? (Arguments For and Against)

Is democracy the best form of government? Let's weigh the arguments.

• Arguments AGAINST Democracy:

  1. Instability: Leaders keep changing, leading to political instability.
  2. Morality: Focuses on political competition and power play; little scope for morality.
  3. Delays: Many people need to be consulted, leading to delays in decision-making.
  4. Bad Decisions: Elected leaders may not know the best interests of the people, leading to poor decisions.
  5. Corruption: Based on electoral competition, which can lead to corruption.
  6. People's Ignorance: Ordinary people often don't know what is good for them; they shouldn't decide everything.

• Arguments FOR Democracy:

  1. More Accountable: A democratic government is more accountable to the people. It has to respond to the needs of the people. If it doesn't, people can change it in the next election. (Example: India's response to famines vs. China's during 1958-61 famine, where lack of democracy meant the government didn't respond effectively to people's suffering).
  2. Improved Decision-Making: Democracy is based on consultation and discussion. Although it can cause delays, involving many people reduces the chances of rash or irresponsible decisions.
  3. Deals with Differences and Conflicts: In diverse countries like India, democracy provides a peaceful method to accommodate social differences and resolve conflicts. Different groups can live together because democracy respects differences and provides mechanisms for negotiation.
  4. Enhances Dignity of Citizens: Democracy is based on the principle of political equality. It recognizes that the poorest and least educated have the same status as the rich and educated. It enhances the dignity and self-respect of citizens.
  5. Allows Correction of Mistakes: Democracy provides space for public discussion on mistakes and allows for correction. Rulers can be changed if they don't perform or make wrong decisions. There's room for correcting governmental errors.

Conclusion on Arguments: Democracy isn't a magical solution for all problems, but it's clearly better than other alternatives (dictatorship, monarchy) because it promotes accountability, better decisions, respects differences, enhances dignity, and allows correction.

5. Broader Meanings of Democracy

• Minimal vs. Good Democracy: The features discussed define the minimum conditions for a government to be called democratic. A 'good' democracy goes beyond this – it strives to end hunger, poverty, discrimination, and ensure active participation of all citizens in decision-making.
• Representative Democracy: In most modern democracies, people rule through elected representatives. This is necessary due to large populations and the need for specialized decision-making.
• Democracy as a Principle: The democratic principle can be applied to other spheres of life – families, organizations, classrooms – where consultation and consent are valued.
• Ideal vs. Reality: No country is a perfect democracy. It's an ideal that societies strive towards. It requires constant effort by citizens to strengthen democratic practices. The value of democracy depends on active political participation by citizens.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. Which of these is NOT a key feature of democracy according to the chapter?
   (a) Major decisions by elected leaders
   (b) Rule by a single, strong leader for stability
   (c) Free and fair electoral competition
   (d) One person, one vote, one value

2. The 'Legal Framework Order' in Pakistan under General Musharraf primarily violated which feature of democracy?
   (a) One person, one vote, one value
   (b) Free and fair electoral competition
   (c) Major decisions by elected leaders
   (d) Rule of law and respect for rights

3. In which country does the electoral system give more value to the vote of an indigenous citizen compared to an Indian-origin citizen?
   (a) Estonia
   (b) Saudi Arabia
   (c) Fiji
   (d) Mexico

4. The long rule of the PRI party in Mexico until 2000 is cited as an example where:
   (a) There was no election held.
   (b) Elections were held but were not free and fair.
   (c) Only the rich could vote.
   (d) The military controlled the government.

5. Which argument is commonly used AGAINST democracy?
   (a) It enhances the dignity of citizens.
   (b) It leads to delays in decision-making.
   (c) It provides a method to resolve conflicts.
   (d) It is a more accountable form of government.

6. The example of the 1958-1961 famine in China is used to argue that:
   (a) Dictatorships handle crises better.
   (b) Democratic governments are more responsive to people's needs.
   (c) Economic development is faster in non-democratic countries.
   (d) Famines are unavoidable natural disasters.

7. "Rule of law and respect for rights" implies that:
   (a) The government can do anything as long as it is popular.
   (b) Citizens' basic rights are protected, and the government is bound by law.
   (c) Only the constitution matters, not individual rights.
   (d) Laws apply only to citizens, not to rulers.

8. The principle of 'One person, one vote, one value' relates directly to:
   (a) Economic equality
   (b) Social equality
   (c) Political equality
   (d) Freedom of speech

9. Why is a representative democracy the most common form today?
   (a) People prefer not to be involved in decision-making.
   (b) It is the only form mentioned in ancient Greek texts.
   (c) Large populations make direct democracy impractical.
   (d) Representatives are always wiser than ordinary citizens.

10. What does the chapter suggest about achieving a 'good' democracy?
    (a) It is achieved once free elections are held.
    (b) It requires active participation and effort from citizens beyond just voting.
    (c) It depends solely on having a well-written constitution.
    (d) It is an impossible ideal not worth striving for.

Answer Key for MCQs:

1. (b)
2. (c)
3. (c)
4. (b)
5. (b)
6. (b)
7. (b)
8. (c)
9. (c)
10. (b)

Make sure you understand the reasoning behind each answer by referring back to the notes. This chapter lays the groundwork for understanding democratic politics globally. Good luck with your preparation!