Democratic Politics : Class 10 Civics Ch 8
NCERT Textbook, Page no - 103
Q. Each of these cartoons represents a challenge to democracy. Please describe what that challenge is. Also place it in one of the three categories mentioned in the first section.
Answer : Challenge of Expansion.
Answer : The Foundation Challenge
Answer : Deepening of Democracy
Answer : Challenge of power of money.
Page no 104 & 105
| Case and context | Your description of the challenges for democracy in that situation |
|---|---|
| Chile : General pinochet's government defeated, but military still in control of many institutions | [Example] Establishing civilian control over all governmental institutions, holding the first multi-party elections, recalling all political leaders from exile. |
| Poland : After the first success of Solidarity, the government imposed martial law and banned solidarity. | The foundation challenge |
| Ghana : Just attained independence, Nkrumah elected president. | The Challenge of expansion |
| Myanmar : Suu Kyi under house arrest for more than 15 years, army rulers getting global acceptance. | The challenge of using power |
| International organisations : US as the only super power disregards the UN and takes unilateral action. | Authoritarian challenge |
| Mexico : Second fee election after the defeat of PRI in 2000, defeated candidate alleges rigging. | Deepening of democracy |
| China : Communist Party adopts economic reforms but maintains monopoly over political power. | Democracy's expansion |
| Pakistan : General Musharraf holds referendum, allegations of fraud in voters' list | Challenge of using power |
| Iraq : Widespread sectarian violence as the new government fails to establish its authority. | Challenge of foundation |
| South Africa : Mandela retries from active politics, pressure on his successor Mbeki to withdraw some concessions given to White minority. | Deepening of democracy |
| US, Guantanomo Bay : UN Secretary General Calls this a violation of international law, US refused to respond | Expansion of democracy and challenge of using power |
| Saudi Arabia : Women not allowed to take part in public activities, no freedom of religion for minorities. | Challenge of equality |
| Yugoslavia : Ethnic tension between Serbs and Albanians on the rise in the province of Kosovo. Yugoslavia distintegrated. | Challenge of saving the country |
| Belgium : One round of constitutional change taken place, but the Dutch speakers not satisfied; they want more autonomy | Deepening of democracy |
| Sri Lanka : The peace talks between the government and the LITE break down, renewed violence | Challenge of saving the country |
| US, Civil Rights : Blacks have won equal rights but are still poor, less educated and marginalised | Expansion of democracy |
| Northern Ireland : The civil war has ended but Catholics and protestants yet to develop trust | Expansion of democracy |
| Nepal : Constituent Assembly about to be elected, unrest in Terai areas, Maoists have not surrendered arms | Challenge of foundation |
| Bolivia : Morales, a supporter of water struggle, becomes Prime Minister, MNCs threaten to leave the country | Challenge of wealth or money power |
Page no 106
Given below are some spheres or sites of democratic politics. You may place against each of these the specific challenges that you noted for one or more countries or cartoons in the previous section. In addition to that write one item for India for each of these spheres. In case you find that some challenges do not fit into any of the categories given below, You can create new categories and put some items under that.
| Constitutional design | Constitution should be designed by the representatives of the people with full representation to all the religions, colour, caste, creed, etc. |
| Democratic rights | These are given to all the citizens in democracy but is a foundational challenge in non - democratic countries. |
| Working of institutions | These are working everywhere but are a foundational challenge in non - democratic countries. |
| Elections | Deepening or strengthening of democracy |
| Fedralism, decentralisation | Strengthening and deepening of democracy |
| Accommodation of diversity | Expansion of democracy |
| Political organisations | Foundational challenge in Monarchy and authoritarian country |
| Any other category | Challenge of money and muscle power which our country is facing these days |
Page no - 107
Let us group these again, this time by the nature of these challenges as per the classification suggested in the first section. For each of these categories, find atleast one example from India as well.
| Foundation challenge | Giving the status of full states to some U.T.'s in our countries |
| Challenge of expansion | No discrimination with any one on the basis of colour, religion, caste, gender, etc. |
| Challenge of deepening | No one can hold two important posts in the country |
Now let us think only about India. Think of all the challenges that democracy faces in contemporary India. List those five that should be addressed first of all. The listing should be in order of priority, i.e., the challenge you find most important or pressing should be mentioned at number 1, and so on. Give one example of that challenge and your reasons of assigning it the priortiy.
| Priority | Challenges to democracy | Example | Reasons for preference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Party's internal democracy | Not holding elections within the party. | Political parties in democracy used to practise this thing especially in India. |
| 2. | Deepening of democracy | No one should be allowed to keep two positions at one time. | In India many leaders had to resign due to this constitutional amendment |
| 3. | Expansion of democracy | Reserved seats for S.C.'s and S.T.'s | Seats are reserved for them in India everywhere, even in Parliament |
| 4. | Constitutional design | Constitution can not be changed very easily | Constitutional amendment requires 2/3rd majority of Parliament and state legislature assemblies |
| 5. | Rights of the people | People are given many rights like of equality, freedom, etc. | In India, all the citizens are given fundamental rights |
Page no 112
Here is your space for writing your own definition of good democracy.
(Write your name here) ABC XYZ's definition of good democracy (not more than 50 words):
In simple words, democracy is government of the people, for the people and by the people. Equality and freedom are the main bases of democracy. There is no discrimination with any one on any basis. According to Herodotus, "Democracy is in communities which act by voting, that rule belongs to majority, as no other method had been found for determining peacefully and legally what is to be declared the will of a community which is not ynanimous."
Features (Use only as many points as you want. Try to compress it in as few points as possible)
- Rule of People. Democracy is the rule of the people in which people elect their representatives to run over the country.
- Social Equality. Social euality is being given to all the citizens of democracy.
- Written Constitution. Every democracy has a written constitution which is generally drafted by representatives of all sections of society.
- Fair Elections. In democracy, generally free and fair elections are held after a particular framework of time.
- People are their own masters. People have the right to choose their representatives and that is why they are their own masters.
- No discrimination. There is no discrimination in democracy with any one on any base.
- Government not by force. Government in democracy is not by force but is chosen by the people.