Q. 1.

Fill in the Blanks

1. The Communist Party of China always forms the Government in China.

2. In Saudi Arabia, women did not have the right to vote till 2015

3. In Estonia, there is difference on the basis of minority, therefore people belonging to Russian
origin find it difficult to get the right to vote.

4. Inspite of elections, the final power rested with General Pervez Musharraf so Pakistan cannot
be called a democracy.

5. People's representatives sit together to take decisions in a governmental set up called as

Democracy.

Q. 2. Multiple Choice Questions.

1.Which of the following features of democracy is/are responsible to improve the quality of
decision-making?
(a) Democracy is based on consultation and discussion
(b) Democratic decisions always involve many persons (c) Decisions are taken after discussions
and meetings
(d) All of the above
Ans. (d) All of the above

2. When did General Pervez Musharraf led a military coup in Pakistan?

(a) October 1999
(b) July 1997
(c) August 2000
(d) April 2000
Ans. (a) October 1999

3. In which year, General Pervez Musharraf held a referendum which granted him five years
extension as a President?
(a) 2004
(b) 2003
(c) 2000
(d) 2002
Ans. (d) 2002

4. How many members (approx) are elected to the National People's Congress from all over
China?
(a) 3000
(b) 3100
(c) 3200
(d) 4000
Ans. (a) 3000

5. After which regular intervals, elections are held in China for electing the country's
Parliament?
(a) 6 years
(b) 4 years
(c) 5 years
(d) 7 years
Ans. (c) 5 years

6. 'One person, One vote means

(a) All person must vote for one person.
(b) Each person has one vote and each vote has one
value.
(c) Each person can vote only once in his life.
(d) None of the above
Ans. (b) Each person has one vote and each vote has one value

Q. 3. Match the Following

List I List II
A. Legal 1 Ruling party
Framework in China
Order
B. National 2 Issued by
People’s Musharraf
Congress
C. Institutional 3 Leader
Revolutionary Robert
Party Mugabe
D. ZANU-PF 4 Formed in
1930 in
Mexico

Ans. A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3

Q. 4. Short Answer

1. Which three rights should every citizen of a democratic country get?

Ans In a democracy, citizens get three basic rights which are
(i) Free to express their opinion in public, to form associations, to protest and take other political
actions.
(ii) Equality before law.
(iii) Protection of rights by an independent judiciary whose orders are obeyed by everyone.

2. 'Democracy is all about political competition and power play. There is no scope for morality'.
Justify the statement by giving arguments against democracy.
It is a fact that in a democracy, the majority decides what is to be done, whether it is right or
wrong. Thus it is a play of power, whether it is morally right or wrong.
The arguments against democracy are
(i) Democracy leads to corruption, as it is based on electoral competition. Elections can be won by
money power, muscle power, or both.
(ii) Many elected leaders do not work for the best interest of the people as their interest lies in
political competition and winning the elections only
(iii) Bad, unwise and faulty decisions are sometimes taken, as there is power play in democracy.

3. State the freedoms which are usually taken away when democracy is overthrown by a
military regime.
Ans. The freedoms usually taken away by a military regime are
(i) There will be no freedom of expression and speech.
(ii) In a non- democratic government, the rulers do not have to act according to the wishes of
the people. The needs of the people can be ignored by the military ruler.
(iii) In democracy, no one is a permanent loser winner. But in a military regime, the same ruler or
ruling party can rule the country for a very
long time.
(iv) In a military regime, there is no freedom to form political associations or organise protests and
political action. Political freedom of the citizen is completely denied in a military regime.

4."Democracy is considered the best form of government and is clearly better than any other
alternative." Mention three relevant points that show what it offers.
Ans. The three relevant points that show what democracy offers are
(i) A democratic government is a more accountable
form of government. A democracy requires that the rulers have to attend to the needs of the
people.
(ii) Democracy is based on negotiation and deliberation, which improves the quality of decision-
making.
(iii) It allows us to correct our own mistakes. In democracy, there is always a scope that the rulers
can change their wrong decisions of the rulers themselves can be changed.

5. How does democracy improve the quality of decision-making?

Ans. Democracy is based on consultation and
discussion. A democratic decision always involves many persons, discussions and meetings. Those
who are not powerful have the same say in taking the decisions as those who are powerful.
The elected representatives come from different backgrounds. They all are given equal rights to
tell their views on a particular issue. This process may be time-consuming, but it reduces the
chances of rash or irresponsible decisions. Thus, the lengthy process of taking decisions on any
important issue in democracy improves the quality of the
decision-making.

6. Mention three essential features of

Democracy. Or
What is democracy? Which are its two features?
Ans. Democracy is a form of government in which the rulers are elected by the people.
Some features of democracy are
(ii) A democracy must be based on a free and fair election, where those currently in power have a
fair chance of losing also.
(ii). In a democracy, each adult citizen must have one vote and each vote must have one value.
(iii) In a democracy, government rules within limits set by constitutional law and citizens' rights.
7.Why are China, Estonia and Saudi Arabia not truly democratic countries? State one reason for
each one of them.
or Why are China and Saudi Arabia non- democratic countries though they
declare themselves as democracies?
State one reason for each of the countries.
Ans. China, Estonia and Saudi Arabia are not truly democratic countries because
(i) In China, before contesting the election, the candidate needs the approval of the Chinese
Communist Party.
(ii) Estonia made its citizenship rules in such a manner that people belonging to Russian
minority find it difficult to get the right to vote. (iii) In Saudi Arabia, women did not have the right
to vote, until 2015.
Although these countries declare themselves as democracies, the fundamental principle of
political equality' is denied in all the cases. Thus, these are not truly democratic countries.

Q. 5. Long Answer

1. How did Robert Mugabe's party ZANU PF violate the features of a democratically elected
government?
Robert Mugabe's party ZANU PF violated the features of a democratically elected government by
adopting the following methods
(i) The Constitution was changed several times to increase the powers of the President and make
him less accountable. A law has been made for limiting the right to criticise the President.
(ii) Opposition party workers are harassed and their meetings are disrupted.
(iii) Public protests and demonstrations against the government are declared illegal.
(iv) Television and radio are controlled by the government and give only the ruling party's
version.
(v) The government harasses those journalists who go against it.
(vi) The government has ignored some court judgements that went against it and has pressurised
judges.

2. Why Pakistan under General Musharraf can not be called a democracy? State any five
reasons.
Ans. Pakistan under General Musharraf cannot be called a democracy due to following reasons
(i) General Musharraf conducted a military regime in October 1999, overthrowing a democratically
elected government.
(ii) In 2002, Musharraf organised a
referendum which, was based on malpractices and fraud.
(iii) In August 2002, Musharraf issued a 'Legal Framework Order' to give him the power
to dismiss the national and provincial assemblies, which is undemocratic.
(iv) The work of the civilian cabinet was supervised by a National Security Council dominated by
military officers, none of whom were elected. This is also undemocratic.
(v) In a democracy, elections were held and the elected representatives have some powers.
However, in this case the final power rests with military officers and General Musharraf himself,
which is against democracy.

3.Write any five arguments in favour of democracy.

or Why is democracy better than any other form of government? Write five arguments to support
your answer.
Ans. Five arguments in favour of democracy are
(i) A democratic form of government is a better government because it is a more accountable form
of government.
A democracy requires that the rulers have to attend to the needs of the people.
(ii) Democracy is based on consultation and discussion. Although it takes time, this process
reduces the chances of rash and irresponsible decisions. Thus, democracy improves the quality of
decision-making.
(iii) Democracy provides a method to deal with differences and conflicts in society. In a diverse
country like India, democracy keeps our country together.
(iv) As democracy is based on the principle of political equality, it enhances the dignity of
citizens.
(v) Democracy is better than other forms of
government because it allows us to correct our own mistakes. In democracy, there is a scope for
public discussion on these
mistakes.

2 Elections in China do not represent people's

verdict. Explain.
or Why can't the democratic set-up in
China be called a true democracy? Explain. Ans. Elections in China do not represent people's
verdict as the candidate standing for election needs the approval of the Chinese Communist Party.
He must belong to the party or the eight parties associated with it.
Thus, the elections do not offer the people any serious choice, as it is a one-party election and all
voters must vote for this party only. The people's Congress also includes some members elected
by the Chinese army.
The China's Parliament, having 3000 members elected from all over China, appoints the President
of the country. Thus, it cannot be called a true democracy.