Q1. Discuss some merits and demerits of democracy in the light of your study of the chapter.
Ans: Merits:
- Promotes equality among citizens.
- Enhances the dignity of the individual.
- Improves the quality of decision-making.
- Provides a method to resolve conflicts.
- Allows room to correct mistakes.
Demerits:
- Democracy takes more time to follow procedures compared to non-democratic governments.
- Many democracies struggle to ensure fair elections and public debate.
- Democratic governments often do not share information effectively with citizens.
- Democracies can frustrate the needs of the people and ignore the majority’s demands.
Q2. How does democracy produce an accountable, responsive and legitimate government?
Ans: Democracy produces an accountable government through:
- Regular, free, and fair elections.
- Open discussions on major issues and legislation.
- Citizens’ right to access information about government actions.
A responsive government is formed by elected representatives who:
- Address societal problems.
- Develop policies and programmes based on public needs.
- Ensure effective implementation of these programmes.
Democracy is considered legitimate because:
- It operates under a constitution that applies to everyone, including government officials.
- Free and fair elections empower citizens to remove unsatisfactory parties in future elections.
Q3. What are the conditions under which democracies accommodate social diversities?
Ans: Democracies have a duty to create a safe and harmonious society for all citizens. It is essential to address differences among ethnic groups in a peaceful manner. Here are key conditions for democracies to accommodate social diversities:
- Different individuals or groups should be elected to form the government.
- The majority community, whether based on religion, race, or language, should not dominate.
- All citizens should have the opportunity to be part of the majority.
- No one should be excluded from majority status based on their birth, as this undermines the essence of democracy.
Democracy is not merely about majority rule; it requires collaboration between the majority and minority to ensure that all voices are represented in government. This balance is crucial for a functioning democracy.
Q4. Examine with the help of four examples how the dignity and freedom of citizens are best guaranteed in a democracy.
Ans: The dignity and freedom of citizens are best guaranteed in a democracy are as follows:
- Equality Before the Law: Democracy ensures that all citizens are treated equally, regardless of caste, religion, gender, or economic status. Example: The Indian Constitution guarantees equality under Article 14.
- Freedom of Speech and Expression: Citizens are free to express their opinions and ideas without fear of punishment or oppression. Example: People can protest peacefully, share opinions on social media, and criticize government policies.
- Empowerment of Women and Minorities: Democracy provides equal opportunities for women and minority groups, ensuring inclusivity and representation. Example: Laws like reservations for women in local governance and the Right to Education Act in India.
- Right to Choose Leaders: Citizens have the right to vote and elect their representatives through free and fair elections. Example: In India, every adult citizen has the right to vote regardless of their background.
Q5. Identify the challenges to democracy in the following descriptions. Also, suggest policy/institutional mechanism to deepen democracy in the given situations:
(i) Following a High Court directive, a temple in Orissa that had separate entry doors for Dalits and non-Dalits allowed entry for all from the same door.
(ii) A large number of farmers are committing suicide in different states of India.
(iii) Following allegation of killing of three civilians in Gandwara in a fake encounter by Jammu and Kashmir police, an enquiry has been ordered.
Ans: (i) The main challenge here is to eliminate caste-based inequalities. Legal measures should be enforced against those who engage in discriminatory practices. Such actions are considered a crime under our constitution and should be met with severe penalties.
(ii) The high rate of farmer suicides across various states in India highlights the issue of economic inequality. Many farmers struggle to repay loans due to unpredictable crop failures caused by adverse weather. To address this, the government should offer subsidies to farmers, helping them achieve a sustainable income and reduce financial stress.
(iii) A significant challenge to democracy in this context is the need to regulate the power of the police and other authorities. Additionally, it is crucial to maintain the public’s trust in government institutions like the police, especially following serious allegations of misconduct.