What is Democracy? Why Democracy? Class 9 Political Science Important Questions

What is Democracy? Why Democracy? Class 9 Political Science Chapter 1: Understanding the basics of democracy is important for every student, and this Class 9 Political Science chapter 1 explains these ideas in a clear and simple way. “What is Democracy? Why Democracy?” is a key part of Class 9 Political Science and is often asked in exams.

This blog gives you all the what is democracy why democracy class 9 important questions social science with easy and well-structured answers. By practicing them, students can understand the concepts better, remember them easily, and write strong answers in exams. This collection will help you prepare confidently and score well.

Important Questions for Class 9 What is Democracy? Why Democracy?

What is Democracy? Why Democracy? section compiles important questions and detailed answers directly from the chapter, covering various aspects of democratic governance.

These carefully selected questions address definitional clarity, practical examples, and critical analyses of democratic systems, preparing students comprehensively for upcoming examinations. This set of important question of what is democracy why democracy would be beneficial.

Multiple Choice Questions (1 Mark)

1. One simple factor common to all democracies is-
   (A) Elections are held every 5 years
   (B) The Prime Minister is the head of state
   (C) The people elect rulers
   (D) There is a state religion
   Ans. (C) The people elect rulers

2. When did a military coup overthrow the Pakistani government?
   (A) 1999 (B) 1998
   (C) 1990 (D) 2000
   Ans. (A) 1999

3. ‘Quango Renmin Daibiao Dahui’ is the name of –
   (A) A Chinese political party
   (B) The Chinese parliament
   (C) The Chinese president
   (D) None of the above
   Ans. (B) The Chinese parliament

4. Assertion: Democracy is a Western concept that cannot be applied in non-Western societies.
   Reason: Democracy is based on universal values such as freedom, equality, and justice that apply to all societies.
   (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.
   Ans. (D) The assertion is false, but the reason is true.

5. Select the argument against democracy among the following.
   (A) Leaders keep changing in a democracy. This leads to instability
   (B) Democracy provides a method to deal with differences and conflicts.
   (C) Democracy improves the quality of decision-making.
   (D) Democracy enhances the dignity of citizens.
   Ans. (A) Leaders keep changing in a democracy. This leads to instability.

Short Answer Type Questions (2 Marks)

1. Democracy comes from which Greek word?
   Ans. Greek word, “Demokrati”.

2. Write a drawback of the electoral system of Fiji.
   Ans. In Fiji, the value of the indigenous Fiji vote is more compared to an Indian Fijian.

3. What is a referendum?
   Ans. A referendum is a direct vote in which the entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. It may be the adoption of a new constitution, a law or a specific governmental policy.

4. After how many years does Mexico hold elections for electing the President?
   Ans. Since its independence in 1930, Mexico has held elections every six years to elect the President.

5. Why are quality decisions always possible in a democracy?
   Ans. Because democratic decisions always involve many persons, discussions and meetings.

6. ‘‘Elections in China do not represent people's verdict.’’ Explain.
   Ans. In China, the elections do not offer the people any serious choice. They have to choose the ruling party and the candidates approved by it. There is only one political party and people have to vote for its candidates.

7. ‘In a democracy, the majority of the people rule through their elected representatives.’ Give reasons.
   Ans. Modern democracies involve such a large number of people that it is physically impossible for them to sit together, and take a collective decision. Even if they could, the citizens do not have the time, the desire or the skills to take part in all the decisions.

8. What is the role of citizens in promoting democracy?
   Ans. Every citizen should be able to play an equal role in decision-making. For this, a citizen not only needs an equal right to vote but also needs to have equal information, basic education, and equal resources.

9. The army is the most disciplined and corruption-free organization in the country. Therefore the army should rule the country. Give reason.
   Ans. No, the army should not rule the country. The army officials are not elected by the people. Whereas in democracy the rulers are elected by the people.

10. What do understand by political equality?
    Ans. Democracy is based on political equality which ensures equal rights. Both the rich and poor, the educated and uneducated get equal rights. Democracy enhances the dignity of the people.

11. Who was Robert Mugabe?
    Ans. Robert Mugabe was the leader of ZANU-PF. Robert Mugabe has been ruling the country since independence. Elections have been held regularly and always won by ZANU-PF. President Mugabe is popular but also uses unfair practices in elections. Over the years his government has changed the constitution several times to increase the powers of the President and make him less accountable. Opposition party workers are harassed and their meetings are disrupted.

12. Explain any three major political changes that took place recently in India’s neighbourhood.
    Ans. Pakistan-General Musharraf led a military coup.
    In Nepal 2005, the new king dismissed the elected government.
    Iraq-Saddam Hussein’s regime was overthrown.

Long Answer Type Questions (5 Marks)

1. How is democracy better than other forms of government?
   Ans. It is correct that democracy is better than other forms of government because it allows us to correct its own mistakes. There is no guarantee that mistakes cannot be made in a democracy. No form of government can guarantee that. The advantage in a democracy is that such mistakes cannot be hidden for long. There is a space for public discussion on these mistakes. And there is room for correction. Either the rulers have to change their decisions, or the rulers can be changed. This cannot happen in a non-democratic government.

2. How far is it correct to say that respect for citizen’s rights was not followed in Mexico?
   Ans. Yes, it is correct to say that respect for citizen’s rights was not followed in Mexico. The election procedure is not democratic. 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 managed to win.

3. “Though democracy is considered to be the best form of government, it is not an ideal form of government.” Give five arguments to prove the above statement.
   Ans. (i) It is not an ideal form of government because every citizen does not play equal role in decision-making. Even the majority does not rule directly. But, it rules through their elected representatives.
   (ii) Democracy provides only political equality but people also need social and economic equality.
   (iii) An ideal government is a government which is not run by few powerful people.
   (iv) An ideal government is free of corruption.
   (v) An ideal government is a government where there is gender equality.

4. Why has India never had a famine of the level which occurred in China in 1958-61?
   Ans. In China’s famine of 1958-61, nearly three crore people died. In those days India’s economic condition was not much better than China's. Yet India did not have a famine of the kind China had. The reason was the difference in the economic policies of the two countries. The democratic government in India responded to the food shortage in a way that the Chinese government did not. If China too had had multi-party elections, an opposition party and a press free to criticise the government, so many people would not have died in the famine.

5. How popular governments can be undemocratic? Explain with an example.
   Ans. In Zimbabwe, since it attained independence in 1980, elections have been held regularly and always won by ZANU-PF, the party that led the freedom struggle. Its leader, President Robert Mugabe, is popular but also uses unfair practices in elections. His government has changed the constitution several times to increase the powers of the President and make him less accountable. Opposition party workers are harassed. Public protests and demonstrations against the government are declared illegal. There is a law that limits the right to criticise the President. Television and radio are controlled by the government and give only the ruling party’s version.

6. Case-based Questions:
   The politics of Saudi Arabia takes place in the context of a totalitarian, absolute monarchy with Islamist lines, where the King is both the head of state and government. Decisions are, to a large extent, made on the basis of consultation among the senior princes of the royal family and the religious establishment. The Qur'an is declared to be the constitution of the country, which is governed on the basis of Islamic law (Shari'a). The Allegiance Council is responsible to determine the new King and the new Crown Prince. All citizens of full age have a right to attend, meet, and petition the king directly through the traditional tribal meeting known as the majlis. The government is dominated by the vast royal family, the Al Saud, which has often been divided by internal disputes and into factions. The members of the family are the principal political actors allowed by the government. Political participation outside the royal family is limited. Saudi Arabia is one of only two countries (the other being Vatican City) that does not have a separate legislative body. Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy, although, according to the Basic Law of Saudi Arabia adopted by royal decree in 1992, the king must comply with Sharia (that is, Islamic law) and the Qur'an. The Qur'an and the Sunnah are declared to be the country's constitution. There is no legally binding written constitution and the Qur'an and the Sunna remain subject to interpretation. This is carried out by the ulama, the Saudi religious establishment.
   Answer the following questions by choosing the correct option:
   (i) The term ‘Totalitarian’ means
   (A) The government attempts to assert total control over the lives of its citizens.
   (B) The government that attempts to assert no control over the lives of its citizens.
   (C) The citizens that attempt to assert total control over government.
   (D) None of the above
   Ans. (A) The government attempts to assert total control over the lives of its citizens.
   (ii) In absolute monarchy,
   (A) A king or queen holds absolute power.
   (B) Only a king holds absolute power.
   (C) Only a Queen holds absolute power.
   (D) The prime minister holds absolute power.
   Ans. (A) A king or queen holds absolute power.
   (iii) In Saudi Arabia which holy religious book is considered to be the constitution?
   (A) Old Testament
   (B) Torah
   (C) Tanakh
   (D) Quran
   Ans. (D) Quran
   (iv) In which year women of Saudi Arabia got voting rights?
   (A) 2013
   (B) 2011
   (C) 2010
   (D) 2017
   Ans. (B) 2011

CBSE Class 9 Political Science PDF Download

Downloading the CBSE Class 9 Political Science PDF makes studying easier and more organized. It includes all important topics, explanations, and questions from the chapter in one place. Students can revise anytime, understand concepts better, and prepare well for exams using this handy PDF. 

CBSE Class 9 Political Science PDF Download Link

Benefits of Solving CBSE Important Questions for Class 9 Political Science Chapter 1

Better Understanding of Key Concepts: By answering these important questions, students can develop a deeper understanding of the core concepts related to democracy, such as majority rule, the role of elected representatives, and the rights of citizens in a democratic system.

Improved Exam Preparation: These questions are designed to cover all essential topics in the chapter, helping students revise effectively and ensuring they are well-prepared for the exams. This focused practice improves performance in both objective and subjective questions.

Critical Thinking and Analytical Skills: The questions encourage students to think critically about democracy's practical application, the challenges it faces, and its importance in the modern world. 

Clarity on the Relevance of Democracy: Solving these questions enables students to explore why democracy is preferred globally and how it influences governance, making the chapter more relatable and relevant to real-world scenarios.

Confidence Building: Regular practice with important questions boosts confidence, as students become more comfortable with the format and types of questions likely to appear in the exams.

Time Management: By practicing important questions, students can learn to manage their time efficiently during exams, allowing them to allocate sufficient time to answer all types of questions.