What is Democracy? Why Democracy Class 9 Chapter 1 Notes, MCQs, Question Answers

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What Is Democracy

 

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Social Science (Civics) Chapter 1 What Is Democracy ? Why Democracy ?

 

What is Democracy? Why Democracy – Given in this post is NCERT Solutions Class 9 Civics Chapter 1 What is Democracy? Why Democracy Important Question Answers. The important questions we have compiled will help the students to brush up on their knowledge about the subject. Students can practice Class 9 Political Science important questions to understand the subject better and improve their performance in the board exam. The NCERT Solutions Class 9 Social Science provided here will also give students an idea about how to write the answers.
 

 

Class 9 Civics Chapter 1 What is Democracy? Why Democracy? MCQs, Question Answers (Short and Long type questions)

 

Class 9 Civics Chapter 1 What is Democracy? Why Democracy? MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions 1 Mark each)

 

  1. One simple factor common to all democracies is-
  1. Elections are held every 5 years 
  2. The Prime Minister is the head of state 
  3. Rulers are elected by the people 
  4. There is a state religion 

Answer – C. Rulers are elected by the people

 

  1. In a democracy, __________ decisions are taken by elected leaders.
  1. All
  2. Most 
  3. Maximum 
  4. Major 

Answer – D. Major 

 

  1. Who led the military coup in Pakistan?
  1. General Parvez Musharraf
  2. Benazir Bhutto 
  3. Imraan khan 
  4. Nawaz shareef 

Answer – A. General Parvez Musharraf

 

  1. When was the Pakistani government overthrown by a military coup?
  1. 1999
  2. 1998
  3. 1990
  4. 2000

Answer – A. 1999

 

  1. When was a referendum held in Pakistan that granted General Parvez Musharraf an extension?
  1. 1999
  2. 1998
  3. 2002
  4. 2000

Answer – C. 2002

 

  1. Pakistani media, human rights organisations and democracy activists said that the 2002 referendum was based on –
  1. Popular opinion
  2. Fairness and honesty 
  3. Malpractices and fraud 
  4. None of the above 

Answer – C. Malpractices and fraud 

 

  1. As per a 2002 amendment in Pakistan-
  1. the President can dismiss the national and provincial assemblies
  2. The work of the civilian cabinet is supervised by a National Security Council which is dominated by military officers
  3. the final power rested with military officers and General Musharraf himself.
  4. All of the above 

Answer – D. All of the above 

 

  1. Pakistan is not a democracy as-
  1. People elect their representatives to the national and provincial assemblies
  2. Elected representatives cannot take any final decisions
  3. The power to take final decision rested with army officials and with General Musharraf
  4. Both B and C

Answer – D. Both B. and C.

 

  1. In a democracy, the final decision-making power must rest with-
  1. The People 
  2. The elected representatives
  3. The legislature 
  4. The judiciary 

Answer – A. The people

 

  1. ‘Quango Renmin Daibiao Dahui’ is the name of – 
  1. A Chinese political party 
  2. The Chinese parliament 
  3. The Chinese president 
  4. None of the above

Answer – B. The Chinese parliament 

 

  1. In China, the government is always formed by the-
  1. Communist party 
  2. Socialist party 
  3. Republican party 
  4. Popular opinion

Answer – A. The Communist party

 

  1. When did Mexico attain independence?
  1. 2000
  2. 1950
  3. 1930
  4. 1975

Answer – C. 1930

 

  1. Which of the following is/are not involved in a free and fair democratic election?
  1. The people have a serious choice
  2. There is no way the ruling party can be defeated
  3. It should be possible for people to use this choice to remove the existing rulers
  4. The elections offer a real choice to people

Answer – B. There is no way the ruling party can be defeated

 

  1. Which one of the following is a democracy with free and fair elections?
  1. Pakistan
  2. China 
  3. Mexico 
  4. India 

Answer – D. India 

 

  1. In which of the following countries did women not have the right to vote till 2015?
  1. Pakistan 
  2. USA
  3. UAE
  4. Saudi Arabia

Answer – D. Saudi Arabia

 

  1. What is the Chinese Parliament called?
  1. National people’s congress 
  2. The Communist party 
  3. Institutional Revolutionary Party
  4. Chinese Communist Party

Answer – A. National people’s congress 

 

  1. In China, elections are regularly held after every _____ years for electing the country’s parliament.
  1. 5
  2. 6
  3. 3
  4. 10

Answer – A. 5

 

  1. People belonging to Russian minority find it difficult to get the right to vote in-
  1. Estonia 
  2. Romania 
  3. USA
  4. UK

Answer – A. Estonia

 

  1. Which political party in Mexico used unfair means to win elections multiple times?
  1. PRI
  2. PTI 
  3. PNI
  4. PSI

Answer – A. PRI

 

  1. Zimbabwe attained independence from White minority rule in______
  1. 1999
  2. 2002
  3. 1990
  4. 1980

Answer – D. 1980

 

  1. Popular governments, in a democracy, –
  1. Are sufficient 
  2. Are accountable 
  3. Can be undemocratic
  4. Should not allow normal political activity

Answer – C. Can be undemocratic

 

  1. How does a democratic government rule?
  1. It does whatever it likes
  2. It can make decisions without consultations
  3. It is not accountable to other officials
  4. It rules while respecting constitutional law and citizens’ rights.

Answer – D. It rules while respecting constitutional law and citizens’ rights.

 

  1. Which one of the following is not a feature of a democracy?
  1. Rulers elected by the people take all the major decisions
  2. Different votes may have different values.
  3. Elections offer a choice and fair opportunity to the people to change the current rulers
  4. The government is limited by basic rules of the constitution and citizens’ rights.

Answer – B. Different votes may have different values

 

  1. Select the argument against democracy among the following.
  1. Leaders keep changing in a democracy. This leads to instability
  2. Democracy provides a method to deal with differences and conflicts.
  3. Democracy improves the quality of decision-making.
  4. Democracy enhances the dignity of citizens.

Answer – A. Leaders keep changing in a democracy. This leads to instability

 

  1. Select the argument for democracy among the following
  1. So many people have to be consulted in a democracy that it leads to delays.
  2. Elected leaders do not know the best interest of the people.
  3. Democracy is a more accountable form of government.
  4. Ordinary people do not know what is good for them; they should not decide anything

Answer – C. Democracy is a more accountable form of government

 

  1. Which one of the following was the worst recorded famine in world history?
  1. great Bengal famine of 1770
  2. China’s famine of 1958-1961
  3. Skull famine or Doji bara famine
  4. Chalisa famine

Answer – B. China’s famine of 1958-1961

 

  1. No large-scale famine has ever taken place in-
  1. an independent and democratic country
  2. a country with one party system
  3. a monarchy 
  4. a military dictatorship

Answer – an independent and democratic country

 

  1. So many people may not have died in the famine if China too had – 
  1. multiparty elections
  2. an opposition party
  3. a press free to criticise the government
  4. all of these

Answer – D. All of these 

 

  1. The most common form that democracy takes in our times is that of a _________ democracy.
  1. Elective 
  2. Representative 
  3. Argumentative 
  4. Fair 

Answer – B. Representative 

 

  1. In a democracy, the majority of people rule through their elected representatives because:
  1. it is physically impossible for all people to sit together and take a collective decision.
  2. Every citizen does not have the time, the desire or the skills to take part in all the decisions.
  3. Both above 
  4. None of these

Answer – C. Both above 

 

  • Here is some information about four countries. Based on this information, how would you classify each of these countries?
  • Country A: People who do not accept the country’s official religion do not have a right to vote.
  1. Democratic 
  2. Non democratic 
  3. Unsure 

Answer – B. Non democratic

 

  • Country B: The same party has been winning elections for the last twenty years.
  1. Democratic 
  2. Non democratic 
  3. Unsure 

Answer – C. Unsure 

 

  • Country C: Ruling party has lost in the last three elections
  1. Democratic 
  2. Non democratic 
  3. Unsure 

Answer – A. Democratic 

 

  • Country D: There is no independent election commission.
  1. Democratic 
  2. Non democratic 
  3. Unsure 

Answer – B. Non democratic 

 

  1. Country P: The parliament cannot pass a law about the army without the consent of the Chief of Army.
  1. Democratic 
  2. Non democratic 
  3. Unsure 

Answer – B. Non democratic

 

  1. Country Q: The parliament cannot pass a law reducing the powers of the judiciary
  1. Democratic 
  2. Non democratic 
  3. Unsure 

Answer – A. Democratic

 

  1. Country R: The country’s leaders cannot sign any treaty with another country without taking permission from its neighbouring country
  1. Democratic 
  2. Non democratic 
  3. Unsure 

Answer – C. Unsure 

 

  1. Country S: All the major economic decisions about the country are taken by officials of the central bank which the ministers cannot change.
  1. Democratic 
  2. Non democratic 
  3. Unsure 

Answer – B. Non democratic

 

  • Choose the most appropriate option 

 

  1. Which of these is not a good argument in favour of democracy?
  1. People feel free and equal in a democracy.
  2. Democracies resolve conflict in a better way than others.
  3. Democratic government is more accountable to the people
  4. Democracies are more prosperous than others.

Answer – D. Democracies are more prosperous than others.

 

  1. Which of these is not a valid reason for arguing that there is a lesser possibility of famine in a democratic country?
  1. Opposition parties can draw attention to hunger and starvation.
  2. Free press can report suffering from famine in different parts of the country.
  3. Government fears its defeat in the next elections.
  4. People are free to believe in and practise any religion.

Answer – D. People are free to believe in and practise any religion.

 

  1. There are 40 villages in a district where the government has made no provision for drinking water. These villagers met and considered many methods of forcing the government to respond to their need. Which of these is not a democratic method?
  1. Filing a case in the courts claiming that water is part of right to life
  2. Boycotting the next elections to give a message to all parties.
  3. Organising public meetings against government’s policies.
  4. Paying money to government officials to get water.

Answer – D. Paying money to government officials to get water.

 

  1. Which of the following statements is/are keeping with democracy as a value?
  1. Father to daughter: I do not want to hear your opinion about your marriage. In our family children marry where the parents tell them to.
  2. Teacher to student: Do not disturb my concentration by asking me questions in the classroom
  3. Employee to the officer: Our working hours must be reduced according to the law.
  4. Both A and B

Answer – C. Employee to the officer: Our working hours must be reduced according to the law.

 

  1. Which of the following does not lead to the expansion of democracy?
  1. Popular struggles
  2. Colonialism 
  3. Awareness 
  4. Foreign invasions 

Answer – B. Colonialism 

 

  1. When was Mugabe forced out of office?
  1. 2015
  2. 2017
  3. 2018
  4. 1999

Answer – B. 2017

 

  1. Democracy is better than other forms of government because-
  1. It allows majority rule 
  2. It gives everyone freedom to express 
  3. It allows room for correction of its own mistakes 
  4. It delays decisions 

Answer- C. It allows room for correction of its own mistakes

 

  1. Which country has never been under a military or dictator’s rule?
  1. Pakistan 
  2. Nepal 
  3. India 
  4. Mexico

Answer – D. Mexico

 

  1. Which of the following is an example of direct democracy?
  1. Gram Sabha 
  2. President elections
  3. Vidhan Sabha 
  4. The parliament 

Answer – A. Gram Sabha 

 

  1. When did Myanmar become a democracy before it ended with a military rule?
  1. 1919
  2. 1947
  3. 1948
  4. 1956

Answer – C. 1948

 

  1. The ZANU-PF is a party of-
  1. Mexico 
  2. Zimbabwe 
  3. Nepal 
  4. Myanmar 

Answer – B. Zimbabwe

 

  1. The real powers in Iraq are held by which foreign country?
  1. USA
  2. UK
  3. Russia 
  4. France 

Answer – A. USA

 

Very Short Answer Type  (1 Mark each )

  1. What is a democracy?

Democracy is a form of government in which the rulers are elected by the people.

 

  1. What kind of an election should a democracy be based upon?

A democracy must be based on a free and fair election where those currently in power have a fair chance of losing.

 

  1. How is Democracy is based on a fundamental principle of political equality?

In a democracy, each adult citizen has one vote and each vote has one value.

 

  1. How is political inequality in practice on Fiji?

In Fiji, the electoral system is such that the vote of an indigenous Fiji has more value than that of an Indian-Fijian.

 

  1. Give a reason for necessity of elected representatives.

Modern democracies involve such a large number of people that it is physically impossible for them to sit together and take a collective decision

 

  1. Write any one feature of democracy.

A democratic government is a better government because it is a more accountable form of government.

 

  1. What does democracy in international organisations require?

All the countries of the world should have an equal say in the international organisations.

 

Write down the paths to democracy of the following nations.

  1. Chile – End of military dictatorship
  2. Nepal- end of monarchy 
  3. Poland – end of one -party rule 
  4. Mexico- independence 
  5. Ghana – freedom from British colonialism
  6. Name a famous political party of Mexico.

PRI – Institutional Revolutionary Party

 

  1. What is the most common form of democracy in today’s world?

The most common form of democracy in today’s world is representative democracy.

 

  1. Why is democracy better than other forms of government?

Democracy is better than other forms of government because it allows us to correct its own mistakes.

 

Short Answer Type Questions (3 Marks each)

 

  1. Mention the main features of democracy. 

Answer – The main features of democracy are as follows:

  1. A democratic government is a better government because it is a more accountable form of government.
  2. Democracy provides a method to deal with differences and conflicts.
  3. Democracy is based on consultation and discussion. Thus, democracy improves the quality of decision-making.
  4. Democracy enhances the dignity of citizens.
  5. Democracy is better than other forms of government because it allows us to correct its own mistakes.

 

  1. List some demerits of democracy.

Answer – demerits of democracy are- 

  1. Leaders keep changing in a democracy. This leads to instability.
  2. Democracy is all about political competition and power play. There is no scope for morality.
  3. So many people have to be consulted in a democracy that it leads to delays.
  4. Elected leaders do not know the best interest of the people. It leads to bad decisions.
  5. Democracy leads to corruption for it is based on electoral competition.

 

  1. How does democracy improve the quality of decision making?

Answer – 

Democracy is based on consultation and discussion. A democratic decision always involves many persons, discussions and meetings. When a number of people put their heads together, they are able to point out possible mistakes in any decision. This takes time. But there is a big advantage in taking time over important decisions. This reduces the chances of rash or irresponsible decisions. Thus, democracy improves the quality of decision-making.

 

  1. What makes democracy a more accountable form of government?

Answer – 

Democracy is better than any other form of government in responding to the needs of the people. A nondemocratic government may and can respond to the people’s needs, but it all depends on the wishes of the people who rule. If the rulers do not want to, they do not have to act according to the wishes of the people. A democracy requires that the rulers have to attend to the needs of the people. A democratic government is a better government because it is a more accountable form of government.

 

  1. How does democracy provide a method to deal with differences and conflicts?

Answer – 

In any society people are bound to have differences of opinions and interests. These differences are particularly sharp in a country like ours which has an amazing social diversity

Democracy provides the only peaceful solution to this problem. In democracy, no one is a permanent winner. No one is a permanent loser. Different groups can live with one another peacefully.

Thus, democracy provides a method to deal with differences and conflicts

 

  1. How does democracy enhance the dignity of citizens?

Answer – 

Democracy is based on the principle of political equality, on recognising that the poorest and the least educated has the same status as the rich and the educated. People are not subjects of a ruler; they are the rulers themselves. Even when they make mistakes, they are responsible for their conduct.

So, even if democracy does not bring about better decisions and accountable government, it is still better than other forms of government as it enhances the dignity of citizens.

 

  1. Why is democracy better than other forms of government?

Answer-

There is no guarantee that mistakes cannot be made in democracy. No form of government can guarantee that. The advantage in a democracy is that such mistakes cannot be hidden for long. There is a space for public discussion on these mistakes. And there is a room for correction. Either the rulers have to change their decisions, or the rulers can be changed. This cannot happen in a non-democratic government.

Thus, democracy is better than other forms of government because it allows us to correct its own mistakes.

 

  1. Why has representative democracy become necessary?

Answer – Representative democracy became necessary as – 

  1. Modern democracies involve such a large number of people that it is physically impossible for them to sit together and take a collective decision.
  2. Even if they could, the citizen does not have the time, the desire or the skills to take part in all the decisions.

 

Source Based Questions

 

  1. Study the following 3 maps that show how democracies have evolved in the twentieth century and answer the questions that follow.

CREDITS FOR THE IMAGES USED – NCERT textbook in political science for class 9- Democratic Politics 

 

MAP – 1

map

MAP – 2

map

MAP – 3

map

  1. Which continents in the world had a large number of democracies in 1900 and 1950?

North America, South America and Europe.

  1. Which continents did not have almost any democracies in 1900 and 1950?

Africa and Asia. 

  1. Which regions in the world account for most of the countries that were not democracies in 2000?

Africa and Central Asia.

  1. Which country was democratic in 1950, but not 1975?

Brazil 

  1. Name 2 of India’s neighbouring countries which are non- democratic.

Pakistan and China.

  1. Between which one of the given time periods did the world witness most expansion in the number of democracies?

Between 1975 to 1900.

  1. Which map / year depicts a picture of democratic regimes after most of the colonies had gained independence?

Map – 2, of 1975.

  1. In which wave did Nepal gain democracy?

Third wave.

 

  1. Study the following cartoon and answer the question that follow.

map

  1. Which country does this cartoon refer to?

Syria 

 

  1. Where is this country located?

West Asia 

 

  1. What are the only parties allowed in that country?

The ruling Ba’ath Party and some of its small allies are the only parties allowed in that country.

 

  1. Name any 2 more countries to which this cartoon stands applicable.

Mexico and China.

 

Long Answer Type (5 Marks each)

 

  1. List the freedoms that are typically denied when a military regime overthrows a democratic government.

Answer – 

  1. The fundamental power to choose their leaders is immediately taken away from the people and the military regimes can rule for an indefinite amount of time.
  2. Freedom of speech and expression is taken away. People are not free to think, to have opinions, to express these in public, to form associations, to protest and take other political actions
  3. A nondemocratic government may and can respond to the people’s needs. So, people’s wishes and needs are completely side-lined.
  4. political freedom of the citizen is completely denied in military regime and they cannot question the authority of the ruler or dictator.

 

  1. “Democracy is the most popular form of government emerging in modern times. Still its shortcomings cannot be ruled out.” Justify the statement by assessing any five shortcomings of democracy.

Answer – 

  1. Democracy is not a magical solution for all the problems. It has not ended poverty in our country and in other parts of the world. Democracy as a form of government only ensures that people take their own decisions. This does not guarantee that their decisions will be good.
  2. People can make mistakes. Involving the people in these decisions does lead to delays in decision making.
  3. It is also true that democracy leads to frequent changes in leadership. Sometimes this can set back big decisions and affect the government’s efficiency.
  4. So many people have to be consulted in a democracy that it leads to delays.
  5. Democracy is all about political competition and power play. There is no scope for morality. Democracy leads to corruption for it is based on electoral competition.

 
Also See : 
Political Science Important Questions

Geography Important Questions

History Important Questions

 

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