Case Study Questions for Class 9 Political Science Chapter 1 What is Democracy? Why Democracy?
Case Study Question 01
Read the given extract and Answer the questions that follow:
There is another reason why democracy should lead to better decisions than any non-democratic government. Democracy is based on consultation and discussion. A democratic decision always involves many persons, discussions and meetings. When a number of people put their heads together, they are able to point out possible mistakes in any decisions. This takes time, but there is a big advantage in taking time over important decisions. This reduces the chances of rash or irresponsible decisions. Thus,democracy improves the quality of decision-making. Democracy provides a method to deal with differences and conflicts. In any society, people are bound to have differences of opinions and interests. These differences are particularly sharp in a country
like ours which has an amazing social diversity. People belong to different regions, speak different languages, practice different Religions and have different castes. They look at the world very differently and have different preferences. Democracy provides the only peaceful solution to this problem.
In democracy, no one is a permanent winner. No one is a permanent Loser. Different groups can live with one another peacefully. In a diverse country like India, democracy keeps our country together.
Question.1. What is the purpose of consultation and discussion in a democracy?
(a) When a number of people put their heads together, they are unable to point out possible mistakes in any decisions.
(b) When a number of people put their heads together, they are able to point out possible mistakes in any decisions.
(c) When a number of people don’t put their heads together, they are able to point out mistakes in any decisions.
(d) When a number of people put their heads together, they are able to mislead the entire Decision.
Answer
(b) When a number of people put their heads together, they are able to point out possible mistakes in any decisions.
Question.2. How do democracies improve the quality of decision-making?
(a) A democratic decision always involves some persons which figures out of possible mistakes in decisions. subsequentially, it reduces the chances of rash or irresponsible decisions.
(b) A democratic decision always involves many persons, discussions and meetings. When a number of people put their heads together, they are able to point out possible mistakes in any decisions.
(c) A democratic decision always involves the heads together, they are able to point out possible mistakes in any decisions. This reduces the chances of rash or irresponsible decision.
(d) A democratic decision always involves so many leaders. When a number of people join together, they are able to point out possible mistakes in any decisions. This reduces the chances of rash or irresponsible decisions.
Answer
(c) A democratic decision always involves the heads together, they are able to point out possible mistakes in any decisions. This reduces the chances of rash or irresponsible decision.
Question.3. How does a democracy provide a solution to deal with conflicts and differences?
(a) The people with various races, religions, languages, castes and practices have same view and preferences within nation. Democracy provides the only peaceful solution to this problem.
(b) The people with various races, religions, languages, castes and practices have different preferences. Democracy provides the only peaceful solution to this problem.
(c) The people with various races, religions, languages, castes and practices have their own views and preferences. Democracy provides the only uniform solution to this problem.
(d) The people with various races, religions, languages, castes and practices have indifferent views and preferences. Democracy provides the only irrational solution to this problem.
Answer
(b) The people with various races, religions, languages, castes and practices have different preferences. Democracy provides the only peaceful solution to this problem.
Question.4. What is democracy based on according to the passage?
(a) Democracy is based on consultation with capitalists.
(b) Democracy is based on consultation and privilege.
(c) Democracy is based on consultation and denial.
(d) Democracy is based on consultation and discussion.
Answer
(d) Democracy is based on consultation and discussion.
Case Study Question 02
Read the given extract and Answer the questions that follow:
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. Later he changed his designation to President and in 2002 held a referendum in the country that granted him a five-year extension. Pakistani media, human rights organisations and democracy activists said that the referendum was based on malpractices and fraud. In August 2002 he issued a ‘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 a National Security Council which is dominated by military officers. After passing this law, elections were held to the national and provincial assemblies. So Pakistan has had elections, elected representatives have some powers. But the final power rested with military officers and General Musharraf himself. Clearly, there are many reasons why Pakistan under General Musharraf should not be called a democracy. People may have 4elected their representatives to the national and provincial assemblies but those elected representatives were not really the rulers. They cannot take the final decisions. The power to take final decision rested with army officials and with General Musharraf, and none of them were elected by the people.
This happens in many dictatorships and monarchies. They formally have an elected parliament and government but the real power is with those who are not elected. In a few countries, the real power was with some external powers and not with locally elected representatives. This cannot be called people’s rule.
Answer the following MCQs by choosing the most appropriate option:
Question.1. What is the meaning of Referendum?
(a) Direct vote in which the entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal
(b) A form of government in which the rulers are elected by the people
(c) A system where the majority or elected representatives are allowed to take decisions on behalf of all the people
(d) All of these
Answer
(a) Direct vote in which the entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal
Question.2. In the question given below, there are two statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Read the statements and chose the correct option:
Assertion (A): Pakistan not considered a democratic country even after having elections
Reason (R): Despite elections to the national and provincial assemblies, the final powers rested with General Musharraf and military officers.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is correct but R is wrong.
(d) A is wrong but R is correct.
Answer
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
Question.3. After the passage of the ________, elections were held to the national and state assemblies.
(a) Military rule
(b) Referendum
(c) Legal Framework Order
(d) Both (b) and (c)
Answer
(c) Legal Framework Order
Question.4. Does the given source explain the significance of which feature of democracy?
(a) Democracy must be based on a free and fair election
(b) In a democracy, the final decision-making power must rest with those elected by the people
(c) In a democracy, each adult citizen must have one vote
(d) Democratic government rules within limits set by constitutional law and citizens’ rights
Answer
(b) In a democracy, the final decision-making power must rest with those elected by the people
Case Study Question 03
Read the given extract and Answer the questions that follow:
In China, elections are regularly held after every five years for electing the country’s parliament, called Quanguo Renmin Daibiao Dahui (National People’s Congress). The National People’s Congress has the power to appoint the President of the country. It has nearly 3,000 members elected from all over China. Some members are elected by the army. Before contesting elections, a 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 2002-03. The government is always formed by the Communist Party.
Question.1. In China, elections are regularly held after every ________ years for electing the country’s parliament?
(a) 4
(b) 5
(c) 6
(d) 3
Answer
(b) 5
Question.2. What is the Chinese Parliament called?
(a) National People’s Congress
(b) Chinese Communist Party
(c) The Communit party of China
(d) People’s Congress
Answer
(a) National People’s Congress
Question.3. What does a candidate need before contesting elections in China?
Answer
Approval of Chinese Communist Party
Question.4. Why can the Chinese government not be called a democratic government even though elections are held there?
(a) Army participates in election
(b) Government is not accountable to the people
(c) Some parts of China are not represented at all
(d) Government is always formed by the Communist Party
Answer
(d) Government is always formed by the Communist Party
Case Study Question 04
Read the given extract and Answer the questions that follow:
It is defined as a form of government where rulers are elected by the choice of people. So, the difference between democratic and non-democratic governments is that the Myanmar, the army controller becomes the ruler and people over there have no role to play in electing their representative. In Saudi Arabia, the representatives are from royal families, this is the base on which they qualify to become kings. Here also, people have no role to play in making decisions.
Question.1. How ruler are elected in democracy?
Answer. By voting
Question.2. Where non-democractic government prevail in recent time?
Answer. Myanmar
Question.3. Why control Myanmar at present?
Answer. Army
Question.4. In Saudi Arabia representatives are from which family?
Answer. Royal families
Case Study Question 05
Read the given extract and Answer the questions that follow:
In China, to elect members for the country’s parliament which is called Quanguo Renmin Daibiao Dahui (National Candidate needs to be a member of the Chinese Communist Party or 8 of its allies to contest elections in 2002 Since independence, 1930, Mexico presidential elections have been held every 6 years. Until 2000, each and every The communist party used to form the government on was won by PRI (Institutional Revolutionary Party).
Question.1. Write down the name of the party of China?
Answer. Chinese Communist Party
Question.2. How many allies with CCP?
Answer. 8
Question.3. In during how many years the election of the Mexico President is held?
Answer. 6
Question.4. Write a feature of Chinese Political system.
Answer. By your own concept
Case Study Question 06
Read the given extract and Answer the questions that follow:
In 1999, General Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan overthrew the democratically elected government by leading a military coup and became the President of the country. In 2002, he got a five-year extension granted because he held a referendum based on malpractices and fraud. After passing the ‘Legal Framework Order’ the national and provincial elections were held and the elected representatives were given little power. The final power rested with the military officers and General Musharraf himself. Hence, this could not have been called democracy as in a democracy the final decisions are made by those who are elected by the people.
Question.1. Pervez Musharraf belongs from which country?
Answer. Pakistan
Question.2. When he became President?
Answer. 1999
Question.3. Full term of LFO?
Answer. Legal Framework Organisation
Question.4. Final power rested with whom?
Answer. Musharraf and military officer
Case Study Question 07
Read the given extract and Answer the questions that follow:
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. Later he changed his designation to President and in 2002 held a referendum in the country that granted him a five years extension. Pakistani media, human rights organisation and democracy activities said that the referendum was based on malpractice and fraud. In august 2002 he issued a ‘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 a National Security Council which is dominated by military officer. After passing the law, elections were held to the national and provincial assemblies. So, Pakistan has had election, elected representatives have some powers. But the final power rested with military officers and General Musharraf himself.
Question.1. Who passed the Legal Framework Order?
Answer. General Parvez Musharraf
Question.2. What do you understand by referendum?
Answer. A referendum is a direct vote in which the entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal .It may be adoption of a new constitution ,a law or a specific government policy.
Question.3. Why Pakistan under General Musharraf should not be called a democracy?
Answer. Pakistan under General Musharraf should not be called a democracy as people may have elected their representatives to the National and Provincial Assemblies but those elected representatives were not really the rulers. They cannot take final decision.The power totake final decision rested with army officials and with General Musharraf, and none of them were elected by people.
Case Study Question 08
Read the given extract and Answer the questions that follow:
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, ruled the country since independence. Elections were held regularly and always won by ZANUPF. President Mugabe was popular but also used unfair practices in elections. Over the years his government changed the constitution several times to increase the powers of the President and make him less accountable. Opposition party workers were harassed and their meeting disrupted. Public protests and demonstrations were declared illegal. There was a law that limited the right to criticise the President.
Question.1. Which party ruled over Zimbabwe after its independence?
Answer. ZANU-PF party
Question.2. How do Robert Mugabe manage to win elections all the time?
Answer. President Mugabe was popular but also used unfair practices in elections.
Question.3. Do you think that Zimbabwe was a real democracy. Support your answer with justification in two points.
Answer.
- Over the years his government changed the constitution several times to increase the powers of the President and make him less accountable.
- Opposition party workers were harassed and their meeting disrupted.
- Public protests and demonstrations were declared illegal.
- There was a law that limited the right to criticise the President.
(Any two point)
Case Study Question 09
Read the given extract and Answer the questions that follow:
China’s famine of 1958-61 was worst recorded famine in world history. Nearly three core people in this famine. During those days, India’s economic condition was not much better than China. Yet India did not have a famine of the kind China had. Economist think that this was a result of different government policies in the two countries. The existence of democracy in India made the Indian government respond to food scarcity in a way that the Chinese government did not. They point out that no large-scale famine has ever taken place in an independent and democratic country. If China too had multiparty elections, an opposition party and a press free to criticise the government, then so many people may not have died in the famine.
Question.1. When was great famine hit China?
Answer. 1958-61
Question.2. How did Indian government deal with great famine?
Answer. India made the Indian government respond to food scarcity.
Question.3. How do a democratic country become responsible and accountable government?
Answer.
- Opposition party questioned ruler party.
- Press criticise functioning of the Government system.
