Short Answer Questions:
1. Define democracy in a simple way.
2. What is the basic principle of political equality in a democracy?
3. Name the four key features of a democratic government discussed in the chapter.
4. Why are holding free and fair elections not enough for a democracy?
5. Give one example showing how democracy leads to better decisions than other forms of
government.
Long Answer Questions:
1. Discuss the example of Pakistan given in the chapter. Does it qualify as a democratic
country? Substantiate your answer.
2. Analyze the features of elections in Mexico described in the chapter. Were these truly
democratic elections? Give reasons.
3. What are the major arguments given in the chapter in favor of democracy? Explain with
examples.
4. Examine the example of famine in China and India given in the chapter. How does it
highlight the strengths of democracy?
5. "Democracy is certainly a better form of government compared to other alternatives, but it
is not an ideal system." Comment.
Multiple Choice Questions:
1. Which of these is not a feature of a democratic government?
a) Rulers elected by people take major decisions
b) Elections offer real choice to people
c) One person has one vote and every vote has equal value
d) The government can do whatever it wants once elected
2. As per the chapter, non-democratic governments are less likely to respond properly to:
a) Needs of the people
b) Advice of experts
c) Demands of the wealthy
d) Threats from other countries
3. Regarding the Mexico example, which of these is true?
a) Elections were always fair
b) Real opposition was allowed
c) Ruling party used many dirty tricks
d) All of the above
4. Which of these arguments against democracy is discussed in the chapter?
a) Army should rule as they are disciplined
b) Religious leaders should guide politics
c) Educated people should take decisions for all
d) All of the above
5. The strength and weakness of democracy according to the chapter is that its fate depends
on:
a) What rulers do
b) What people do as citizens
c) How rich the country is
d) How educated the people are
6. What position did General Pervez Musharraf hold in Pakistan?
a) Prime Minister
b) President
c) Chief Executive
d) Both b) and c)
7. How did Musharraf amend the Pakistani constitution?
a) He gave more powers to the President
b) He allowed the military to dismiss the assemblies
c) He gave the National Security Council dominance over the civilian cabinet
d) All of the above
8. Until 2000, which party kept winning elections in Mexico?
a) PRI
b) PAN
c) PRD
d) PT
9. What tactics were used by PRI to win elections?
a) Controlling media coverage
b) Intimidating opposition
c) Shifting polling booths unexpectedly
d) All of the above
10. In China, only members and allies of which party are allowed to contest elections?
a) Communist Party of China
b) Revolutionary Communist Party
c) People's Democratic Party
d) None of the above
11. A major famine took place in China in:
a) 1932-35
b) 1943-46
c) 1958-61
d) 1966-69
12. Both Pakistan and Mexico cannot be called democratic because:
a) They hold regular elections
b) The same party keeps winning
c) The elected rulers do not have real power
d) There is no independent election commission
