Chapter. 1 What is Democracy? Why Democracy?
1. What amendments did Pervez Musharraf bring in the
Constitution of Pakistan by issuing a legal framework
order?
Answer
Amendments brought by Pervez Musharraf in the Constitution of
Pakistan by issuing a legal framework order:
In August 2002, General Musharraf 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 and people
elected representatives to the national and provincial
assemblies. So Pakistan has had elections, and elected
representatives have some powers. But the final power has
been with military officers and General Musharraf himself.
2. Pakistan under General Pervez Musharraf was a
democratic country or non-democratic. Give reasons.
Answer
Pakistan under General Pervez Musharaff was a non-democratic
country due to following reasons:
He amended the Constitution according to his own will and
for his personal benefits.
According to the amendments, he could dismiss the national
and provincial assemblies.
Pakistan has had elections, and elected representatives
have some powers. But the final power has been with
military officers and General Musharraf himself.
3. ‘Some countries are not ready to give voting rights to
their citizens’. Explain.
Answer
In Saudi Arabia, women do not have the right to vote.
Estonia had made its citizenship rules in such a way that
people belonging to Russian minority find it difficult to get
the right to vote.
In Fiji, the electoral system is such that the vote of an
indigenous Fiji has more value than that of an Indian Fijian.
4. What dirty practices were used by PRI to win the
elections in Mexico?
Answer
The PRI was known to use many dirty tricks to win elections in
Mexico.
All those who were employed in government offices had to
attend its party meetings.
Teachers of government schools used to force parents to
vote for the PRI.
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 votes.
The PRI spent a large sum of money in the campaign for its
candidates.
5. How is the dignity of citizens enhanced in democracy?
Answer
Democracy enhances the dignity of citizens in the following ways:
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 subjects of a ruler, they are the rulers
themselves.
Even when they make mistakes, they are responsible for
their conduct. All the citizens are equal before the law.
6. Write any five features of Democratic government.
Answer
Five features of Democratic government:
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.
They can protest or criticize the government.
Representatives are elected for the fixed tenure of time.
People are not subjects of the ruler; they are rulers
themselves.
7. Write any five features of non-democratic government.
Answer
Five features of non-democratic government:
People do not enjoy political rights or they have very limited
rights.
Elections are not held in a free and fair manner. People face
many restrictions.
People are not allowed to participate in the functioning of
the government's decision making.
The government is not accountable and responsive to the
needs of people.
People are never considered rulers or dignified citizens. They
are treated as subjects.
8. How does democracy provide a platform to deal with
differences and conflict?
Answer
Democracy provides various methods to deal with differences and
conflict. Some of them are listed below:
In any society, people are bound to have differences of
opinion and interests. These differences are particularly
sharp in country like ours which has an amazing social
diversity.
People speak different languages, belong to different
regions, practise different religions and have different
castes. They look at the world differently and have different
preferences. These may lead to conflicts.
The conflict can be resolved by brutal power, but that would
lead to resentment and unhappiness.
Democracy provides the only peaceful solution to this
problem. In democracy, no one is the permanent winner. No
one is the permanent loser. Different groups can live with
one another peacefully
9. Why is democracy considered the best form of
government?
Answer
Democracy considered the best form of government because of
the following reasons:
Democracy provides the method to deal with differences and
conflict.
Democracy allows us to correct our own mistakes. It is a
more accountable form of government.
Democracy improves the quality of decision making.
Democracy enhances the dignity of citizens.
10. How does democracy allow us to correct our own
mistakes?
Answer
There is no guarantee that mistakes cannot be made in
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.
There is a room for correction.
Either the rulers have to change their decisions, or the rulers
can be changed.
11. How does democracy improve the quality of decision
making?
Answer
Democracy improves the quality of decision making as it 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 decision.
This takes time. But there is a big advantage in taking time
over important decisions. This reduces the chances of rash
or irresponsible decisions.
