NCERT Solution : Civics Chapter 4 - Key Elements of a Democratic Government, Social Studies
Page no - 36
Q. What were Hector and his classmates protesting about ?
Answer:
Hector and his classmates protested against learning the Afrikans language in school. This was the language that white spoke. They were forced to learn this language, but they wanted to learn their own language, Zulu.
Q. List five ways in which the non-whites were discriminated against:
Answer:
The five ways in which non-whites were discriminated against were -
- In South Africa the government practised apartheid laws, i.e., separation on the basis of race.
- The different races were not allowed to mingle with each other or live near each other or even to use common facilities.
- Hospitals and ambulances were separate. Ambulances meant for the whites had more facilities and were well equipped. The one meant for black people were not.
- Non - whites were not allowed to vote.
- The best land in the country was reserved for the white people, and non - whites had to live on the worst available land.
Q. Do you think it is important for all persons to be treated equally ? Why ?
Answer:
All people are born equal and enjoy the right to life, liberty and property. If a section of the people are denied these rights, it will create conflicts in the society. No one has to right to supress others.
Page no - 37
Q. Look at some newspapers and discuss some elections that you may have read about. Why do you think elections are required after a fixed period ?
Answer:
All government are elected for fixed periods. In India the elections are held after every five years. Once elected, the government can stay in power for that period only. If they want to continue to be in power, they have to be re-elected. This is the moment, when people think that they have an important role to play. In this way the powers of the government get limited by regular elections.
Page no - 38
Q. Read the story again : Do you think the police shooting of Hector could have been avoided ? How ?
Answer:
If the government and the police who were protesting had come together and discussed the problem, then police shooting of Hector could have been avoided.
Page no - 40
Q. In Maya's story did the government support the idea that people are equal ?
Answer:
No, the government did not think that all people are equal. The black people were discriminated and denied all basic human rights.
Q. In Dr. Ambedkar's story did the practice of untouchability support the idea that people are equal ?
Answer:
Untochability means that a section of people are denied basic human rights. Untouchability, denies basic rights so untouchability cannot be equated with democracy.
Q. How do you think lowering the school fees would help girls attend school ?
Answer:
Very often the parents do not send their daughters to school because they cannot afford to give fees and if the fees is lowered more people will send their daughters to school.
Q. Can you think of any experience from your life in which you have helped someone out of a situation which you thought was unfair ? Did everyone else see it the same way ? What did you have to stay to convince others that what you did was fair ?
Answer:
While travelling in a train, I heard some people shouting and fighting. I heard that the main cause of the fight was that some people had occupied the seats which belonged to other passengers. The seats were reserved. The people who had occupied the seats that 'first come first serve' is the motto they came earlier and occupied the seats. The other passengers argued that the reserved seats mean that every person carrying the ticket will have the seat. It was an unfair situation.
At this point I decided to stop the shouting and fighting. I asked the passenger who had taken the seat, that why reserved tickets are issued. It means everyone has a right to take a seat. The seat was vacated, when the realisation dawned one of them that motto is not 'first come first serve' but to respect the rights of others.
Questions, Page - 40
1. How would Maya's life be different in South Africa today ?
Answer:
If Maya lived in South Africa today she will enjoy equal rights to participate in the affairs of the government, she will have equal access to all social benefits and she will be protected by law. No injustice will be done to her.
2. What are the various ways in which people participate in the process of government ?
Answer:
The people in a democracy participate in the process of government in the following ways :
- The people elect their leaders by voting in the elections, who represent them. They take decisions on behalf of the people.
- Besides voting, people participate by taking an interest in the working of the government and criticising it, when required.
- There are ways in which people express their views and make government understand what actions they should take. These include dharnas, rallies, strikes' signature campaigns. Things that are unjust and unfair are also brought forward.
- Newspapers, magazines, TV also play a role in discussing government issues and resposibilities.
- People organise themselves in social groups that seek to challenge the government and its functioning. Members of unprivileged groups like Dalits, Adivasis, women and others participate in this manner.
3. Why do you think we need the government to find solutions to many disputes or conflicts ?
Answer:
Conflicts appear when people of different clutures, religions, regions or economic backgrounds, do not get along with each other or when they feel that they are being discriminated against. People may use violent means to settle their differences. This leads to fear and tension among them. The government is responsible for helping to resolve conflicts in a peaceful manner.
4. What actions does the government take to ensure that all people are treated equally ?
Answer:
One of the important principles of democracy is equality and justice. Equality and justice are inseparable, they go hand in hand. Our Constitution provides fundamental rights and one of them is Right to Equality and according to it untouchability is banned by law.
The government makes special provisons for the underprivileged people. The government takes steps to provide justice by providing special provisons, e.g., the girl child suffer injustice at the hands of the parents and society. In order to overcome this injustice, fees of the girls in the school may be waived or lowered in government school or colleges.
5. Read throught the chapter and discuss some of the key ideas of a democratic government. Make a list. For example, all people are equal.
Answer:
The key ideas of a democratic government are the following :
- Right of the people to vote in the elections.
- Re-election of the government, after a fixed period.
- The people carry out campaigns and rallies.
- Responsible government.
- Government resolves disputes and conflicts.
- Justice and equality to all.