5 M Questions Civics Chapter 1

This document contains 10 questions from a CBSE Class 9 Social Science exam on civics chapter 2 "What is Democracy? Why Democracy?". The questions test students' understanding of features of democratic and non-democratic governments, examples of non-democratic rule in various countries, and arguments for and against democracy. Sample answers are provided for each question.

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5 M Questions Civics Chapter 1

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Sonika Poojary

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CBSE

Class 9 Social Science

Important Questions
Civics Chapter-2
What is Democracy? Why Democracy

5 marks Questions

1. Write any five features of Democratic government.

Ans. People have political rights. They take part in an election process on the basis of
Universal Adult Franchise.
Democratic government is accountable and responsive to the needs of people.
There are free and fair elections. People participate in them without any restriction.
People also participate in the functioning of decision making.
Representatives are elected for the fixed tenure of time.
People are not subjects of the ruler, they are rulers themselves.

2. Write any five features of Non Democratic government.

Ans. (i) People do not enjoy political rights or they have every limited right.
(ii) Elections are not held in a free and fair manner. People face many restrictions.
(iii) People are not allowed to participate in the functioning of decision making.
(iv) Government is not accountable and responsive to the needs of people.
(v) People are never considered rulers or dignified citizens. They are treated as subjects.

3. Describe any five features of non-democratic Pakistan under General Musharraf.

Ans. In Pakistan General Pervez Musharraf led a military coup in October 1999. He
overthrew a democratically elected government and declared himself the Chief Executive of
the country.
He changed the designation to President and 2002 held a referendum in the country that
granted him a five year extension.
Pakistani media human rights organizations and democracy activities said that the
referendum was based on malpractices and fraud.

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In August 2002 he issued legal framework order that amended the constitution of Pakistan.
According to this order, the President can dismiss the national and provincial assemblies.
The work of the civilian cabinet is supervised by the National Security Council which is
dominated by military officers.

4. How far it is correct to say that the government of PRI in Mexico was a non
democratic government? Give arguments.

Ans. The government made by International Revolutionary Party id Mexico was not a
democratic government. It works against the principles of democracy.
The PRI was known to use many dirty tricks to win the elections.
All those who are employed in government offices had to attend its party meetings.
Teachers of government schools used to force parents to vote for PRI.
Opposition parties did contest elections but never manage to win.
Media largely ignored the activities of opposition political parties except to criticize them.
Sometimes the polling booths were shifted from one place to another in the last minute,
which made it difficult for people to cast their vote.

5. How far the rule of law and respect for citizen’s rights are followed in Zimbabwe
although Robert Mugabe has been democratically elected?

Ans. Zimbabwe attained independence from white minority rule in 1980. Since then the
country has been ruled by ZANU-PF, the party that led the freedom struggle.
Its leader Robert Mugabe has been ruling the country since independence.
Elections were held regularly and always won by ZANU-PF. President Robert Mugabe is
popular but also use unfair means in elections.
Over the year his government has changed the constitution several times to increase the
power of the President and make him less accountable.
Opposition party workers were harassed and their meetings disrupted.
Public demonstrations and protests were declared illegal.There is a law that limits the right
to criticize the President.

6. “Elections in china do not offer people a real choice.” Explain.

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Ans. In China elections are held regularly after every five years for electing the country’s
parliament, called Quanguo Renmin Daibiao Dahu (National People’s Congress).
The national People’s Congress has the power to appoint the President of country.
Before contesting elections, candidate needs the approval of the Chinese Communist Party.
Only those who are members of the Chinese Communist Party or eight smaller parties allied
to it were allowed to contest elections held in 2001-03.
The government is always formed by communist party.

7. Write any five arguments against democracy.

Ans. Leaders keep changing in a democracy. This leads to instability.

Democracy is all about political competition and power play. There is no scope for morality.
So many people have to be consulted in a democracy that it leads to delays.
Elected leaders do not know the best interest of the people. It leads to bad decisions.
Democracy leads to corruption for it is based on electoral competition.
Ordinary people don’t know what is good for them; they should not decide anything.

8. “Democracy improves the quality of decision making” .Explain.

Ans. Democracy is based on consultation and discussion.

A democratic decision always involves many persons, discussion and meeting.
When a number of people put together they are able to point out possible mistakes in any
decision.
This reduces the chances of rash or irresponsible decision.
Thus democracy improves the quality of decision making.

9. “Democracy enhances the dignity of citizens.”Explain.

Ans. Democracy enhances the dignity of citizens.

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.
People are not subjected of a ruler, they are the rulers themselves.
All the citizens are equal before law.
Democracies have provided opportunities to women to get equal treatment.

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10. Is it good to elect a President for life or is it better to hold regular elections after
every five years? Give reasons.

Ans. No, it is not good to elect a President for life. But it is certainly better to hold regular
elections after a fixed tenure, which should be of five years.
Rulers elected by the people can take final decision on all the major issues.
Such elections offer a choice and fair opportunity to the people to change the current rulers.
This choice and opportunity is available to all the people on an equal basis.
The exercise of this choice leads to a government limited by basic rules of the constitution
and citizens’ right.