9th Political Science : Chapter-1: What is Democracy? Why Democracy?

 

📘 Chapter-1: What is Democracy? Why Democracy?

(NCERT Class 9, Democratic Politics-I)

1. Descriptive Notes (Summary + Explanation)
2. Objective Questions (MCQ, Fill-ups, True/False, Match)
3. Subjective Questions (1, 2, 3, 4 marks answers)

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✨ Descriptive Notes

📖 Definition

• Democracy = “Government of the people, by the people, for the people.” — Abraham Lincoln
• Derived from Greek word “Demokratia”:
  • Demos = People
  • Kratia = Rule/Power

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🏛️ Features of Democracy

1. Elected Rulers – Leaders are chosen through free and fair elections.
2. One Person, One Vote, One Value – Every adult citizen has equal voting rights.
3. Freedom – Citizens enjoy freedom of speech, expression, and access to information.
4. Accountability – The government is responsible and answerable to the people.

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🗳️ Types of Democracy

• Direct Democracy – People directly take decisions. (Ancient Athens)
• Representative Democracy – People elect representatives who decide on their behalf. (India)

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✅ Merits of Democracy

• Ensures people’s participation.
• Makes government accountable & transparent.
• Provides peaceful method of conflict resolution.
• Promotes dignity, liberty, and equality of citizens.

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⚠️ Demerits / Limitations of Democracy

• Slow decision-making due to consultations.
• Illiteracy and poverty may reduce effective participation.
• Corruption and misuse of power weaken democracy.
• Sometimes popular decisions may be wrong.

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🌍 Examples

• Mexico (2000): End of 71 years of one-party rule → victory for democracy.
• China: One-party Communist rule, no real choice → not democracy.
• India: Free and fair elections, multiparty democracy → successful democracy.

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📝 Conclusion

• Democracy is not just a form of government but also a way of life.
• Based on equality, liberty, and participation.
• Despite limitations, it is better than other forms of government.

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🎯 Objective Questions

🔹 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)

1. Democracy is derived from which language?
   (a) Latin (b) Greek (c) French (d) English
   Answer: (b) Greek

2. Who defined democracy as “government of the people, by the people, for the people”?
   (a) Gandhi (b) Mandela (c) Lincoln (d) Nehru
   Answer: (c) Lincoln

3. Which of the following is NOT a feature of democracy?
   (a) Free elections
   (b) One person, one vote, one value
   (c) One-party rule
   (d) Government accountable to people
   Answer: (c) One-party rule

4. Which country is not considered democratic due to one-party rule?
   (a) India (b) China (c) Mexico (d) Nepal
   Answer: (b) China

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🔹 Fill in the Blanks

1. Democracy means rule by the __________. → People
2. In democracy, every adult citizen has __________ vote. → One
3. The 2000 election in __________ ended 71 years of one-party rule. → Mexico
4. In democracy, rulers are chosen through __________. → Elections
5. Democracy provides a peaceful way to resolve __________. → Conflicts

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🔹 True / False

1. Democracy is a rule of people. → True
2. In democracy, decision-making is always quick. → False
3. China has multiparty elections, so it is democratic. → False
4. Equality is a key feature of democracy. → True
5. India is a representative democracy. → True

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🔹 Match the Following

A. Features → B. Description

1. Free elections → (c) People choose rulers
2. Equality → (a) One person, one vote, one value
3. Accountability → (d) Government responsible to citizens
4. Direct democracy → (b) People take decisions themselves

Answer: 1→c, 2→a, 3→d, 4→b

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📑 Subjective Questions

🔸 1 Mark

1. What is the Greek word for democracy? → Demokratia
2. Who said democracy is “government of the people…”? → Abraham Lincoln
3. How are rulers chosen in democracy? → Through elections

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🔸 2 Marks

1. Write two features of democracy.

   • Free and fair elections.
   • Equality in voting rights.

2. Differentiate between direct and representative democracy.

   • Direct: People make decisions themselves (Ancient Athens).
   • Representative: Representatives take decisions (India).

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🔸 3 Marks

1. State three merits of democracy.

   • Encourages participation.
   • Makes government accountable.
   • Resolves conflicts peacefully.

2. State three demerits of democracy.

   • Slow decision-making.
   • Illiteracy/poverty reduces participation.
   • Corruption weakens the system.

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🔸 4 Marks

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

   • People elect their rulers → power with the people.
   • Provides peaceful conflict resolution.
   • Example: Mexico’s 2000 election after 71 years of one-party rule.

2. Why is China not considered a democracy?

   • Only Communist Party rules (no real choice).
   • Citizens cannot freely elect their government.
   • Example: India is democratic with free multiparty elections.

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