What is Democracy Why Democracy

CBSE TEST PAPER-01

Class –IX Social Science (What is Democracy? Why Democracy?)

General Instruction:

All Questions are Compulsory.
Questions No. 1 to 4 Carry one marks each.
Questions No. 5 to 10 carry three marks each.
Questions No. 11 to 12 carry five marks each.

Who said these words, “Democracy is the rule of the people, for the people and by the people”?
Democracy comes from which Greek word?
Name the ruling party of Syria.
Which two countries of the world have allowed the ruling parties to contest elections?
What amendments did Pervez Musharraf bring in the Constitution of Pakistan by issuing a legal framework order?
Pakistan under General Pervez Musharraf was a democratic country or non-democratic. Give reasons.
‘Some countries are not ready to give voting rights to their citizens’. Explain.
What dirty practices were used by PRI to win the elections in Mexico?
Name any two countries where elections are held regularly but they cannot be considered as democratic countries. Explain.
How is the dignity of citizens enhanced in democracy?
Write any five features of Democratic government.
Write any five features of Non-Democratic government.

CBSE TEST PAPER-01
Class –IX Social Science (What is Democracy? Why Democracy?)
[ANSWERS]

Abraham Lincoln quoted the saying at the Gettysburg Address; His saying is often quoted as a definition of democracy.
The word "Democracy" comes from two Greek words: Demos meaning "People", and Kratos meaning "Power".
The Baath Party
China and Mexico
1. In August 2002, General Musharraf issued a ‘Legal Framework Order’ that amended the Constitution of Pakistan.
2. According to this Order, the President can dismiss the national and provincial assemblies.
3. The work of the civilian cabinet is supervised by a National Security Council which is dominated by military officers.
4. After passing this law, elections were held and people elected representatives to the national and provincial assemblies. So Pakistan has had elections, and elected representatives have some powers. But the final power has been with military officers and General Musharraf himself.
1. Pakistan under General Pervez Musharaff was a non-democratic country.
2. He amended the Constitution according to his own will and for his personal benefits.
3. According to the amendments, he could dismiss the national and provincial assemblies.
4. Pakistan has had elections, and elected representatives have some powers. But the final power has been with military officers and General Musharraf himself.
1. In Saudi Arabia, women do not have the right to vote.
2. Estonia had made its citizenship rules in such a way that people belonging to Russian minority find it difficult to get the right to vote.
3. In Fiji, the electoral system is such that the vote of an indigenous Fiji has more value than that of an Indian Fijian.
1. The PRI was known to use many dirty tricks to win elections.
2. All those who were employed in government offices had to attend its party meetings.
3. Teachers of government schools used to force parents to vote for the PRI.
4. Media largely ignored the activities of opposition political parties except to criticize them.
5. Sometimes, the polling booths were shifted from one place to another in the last minute, which made it difficult for people to cast their votes.
6. The PRI spent a large sum of money in the campaign for its candidates.
1. Mexico and China are two countries where elections are held regularly but they cannot be considered as democratic countries.
2. In China, the elections do not offer the people any serious choice.
  1. They have to choose the ruling party and the candidates approved by it.
  2. In China, before contesting elections, a candidate needs the approval of the Chinese Communist Party.
  3. People have no choice. The government is always formed by the Communist party. This is against the democratic system of elections.
3. In Mexico, the PRI was known to use many dirty tricks to win elections.
  1. All those who were employed in government offices had to attend its party meetings.
  2. Teachers of government schools used to force parents to vote for the PRI.
  3. Media largely ignored the activities of opposition political parties except to criticize them.
  4. Sometimes, the polling booths were shifted from one place to another in the last minute, which made it difficult for people to cast their votes.
  5. The PRI spent a large sum of money in the campaign for its candidates.
  6. This is against the democratic system of elections.
1. Democracy enhances the dignity of citizens.
2. Democracy is based on the principle of political equality, on recognizing that the poorest and the least educated have the same status as the rich and the educated.
3. People are not subjects of a ruler, they are the rulers themselves. Even when they make mistakes, they are responsible for their conduct. All the citizens are equal before the law.
1. People have political rights. They take part in an election process on the basis of Universal Adult Franchise.
2. Democratic government is accountable and responsive to the needs of people.
3. There are free and fair elections. People participate in them without any restriction.
4. People also participate in the functioning of decision making. They can protest or criticize the government.
5. Representatives are elected for the fixed tenure of time.
6. People are not subjects of the ruler; they are rulers themselves.
1. People do not enjoy political rights or they have very limited rights.
2. Elections are not held in a free and fair manner. People face many restrictions.
3. People are not allowed to participate in the functioning of the government's decision making.
4. The government is not accountable and responsive to the needs of people.
5. People are never considered rulers or dignified citizens. They are treated as subjects.

What is Democracy Why Democracy - Test Papers