Page 1 of 7

BISHOP SCOTT BOYS’ SCHOOL (Affiliated to CBSE, New Delhi) Affiliation No.: 330726, School Campus: Chainpur, Jaganpura,

By-Pass, Patna 804453. Phone Number: 7061717782, 9798903550. , Web: www.bishopscottboysschool.com Email: info@bishopscottboysschool.com

STUDY COURSE MATERIAL

SOCIAL STUDIES(CIVICS) SESSION-2020-21

CLASS-IX

TOPIC: WHAT IS DEMOCRACY? WHY DEMOCRACY?

DAY-1

NCERT MATERIAL

http://www.ncert.nic.in/ncerts/l/iess402.pdf

TEACHING MATERIAL

Page 2 of 7

It is a system of government where the citizens exercise power of voting.

Abraham Lincoln, the American President defined democracy as “a government of the

people, by the people and for the people.”

REFERENDUM: Referendum is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to

accept or reject a particular proposal.

Page 3 of 7

Video Links Link 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_b5c724ooMg&t=126s

Link 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDIJtCi2zY4

Assignments:

1. People are true watchdog in democracy. Explain.

2. What was „Legal Framework Order‟?

3. What happened after passing this Legal Framework Order?

DAY-2

TEACHING MATERIAL

1. Democracy is a form of government in which the rulers are elected by the people.

Example: Hereditary kings, like the King of Nepal or Saudi Arabia, are also not democratic

rulers. They rule because they were born into noble families.

2. In a democracy final decision making power must rest with those elected by the people.

Example: In Pakistan, President Musharraf has the power to dismiss national and state

assemblies, so the final powers rest with the army and the General himself. We cannot call it a

democracy.

3. A democracy must be based on a free and fair election where those currently in a power

have a fair chance of losing.

Example: a. In China, elections are held for its Parliament. But all the candidates are neither

members of Chinese Communist Party nor eight smaller allies of the party.

b. In Mexico, elections have been held every six years since 1980. But the same party, PRI

(Institutional Revolutionary Party) has won the elections. Obviously, there has been rigging and

mal-practices, with freedom, denied to opposition.

4. Each adult citizen having one vote and each vote has one value.

Example: Countries like Saudi Arabia, Estonia and Fiji in some or other way deny voting rights to

certain sections of its population.

Page 4 of 7

5. A democratic government rules within limits set by constitutional and citizens’ rights

(Government cannot do what it like after winning. It has to respect certain rules.).

Example: Robert Mugabe was President of Zimbabwe. He was ruling there for last 38 years. But

in many incidents, he behaved in an undemocratic way and even above the law.

PPT Link:-

Link 1:

https://www.slideshare.net/ykedia007/what-is-democracy-and-why-democracy

Assignments

1. How did Musharraf establish his rule in Pakistan?

2. In which countries, even today, there is denial of equal right to vote?

DAY-3 Why Democracy?

Arguments against Democracy

Arguments for Democracy:-

Page 5 of 7

1. A democratic government is a better government because it is more accountable

(answerable) form of government.

Example: India v/s China (1958-1961)

2. Democracy improves the quality of decision making by consulting various people and

institutions.

Example: Number of people with ideas, problems will solved easily

3. Democracy provides a method to deal with differences and conflicts.

Example: People with different languages, castes, cultures, so there is a chance of

conflict, but democracy provides peaceful environment.

4. Democracy enhances the dignity of citizens by providing equality, fundamental rights and

freedom. People are not subject of rulers but they are rulers themselves.

5. Democracy is better than other forms of government because it allow us to correct our

mistakes.

Example: In democracy a mistake cannot be hidden for long. (Fodder Scam of Bihar,

Vyapam Scan in Madhya Pradesh).

Reference Link:-

Link1:-

https://www.vedantu.com/question-answer/give-10-point-on-argument-against-democracy-

5b7d5cb3e4b0252b801af539

Assignments

1. How can you say China is not a democratic country?

2. What is the role of citizen in promoting democracy?

DAY-4

Broader meaning of Democracy

Page 6 of 7

A democratic decision involves consultation with and consent of all those who are affected by the

decision.

Democracy is a principle that can be applied to any sphere of life. It can be applied to a government

or a family or any other organisation.

Assignment:-

1. How democracy allows us to correct its own mistakes?

2. How does democracy enhance the dignity of citizens?

DAY-5

Exercises: Link 1:-

https://www.studyadda.com/question-bank/9th-class/social-science/what-is-democracy-why-democracy/9th-

cbse-social-science-what-is-democracy-why-democracy/83

Link 2:-

https://www.studyadda.com/question-bank/9th-class/30/social-science/9/what-is-democracy-why-

democracy/89

Extra assignments:-

1. Compare the democratic system in China with Mexico.

2. What is democracy? Give examples of non-democratic countries.

3. How does democracy provide a platform to deal with differences and conflicts?

4. Why is democracy considered the best form of government?

5. Once elected by the people, what kind of duties are needed to be performed by the office

bearers?

6. “In a democracy, no one is a permanent winner or loser.” Why do we say that? Give three

points.

7. What are the various aspects of democracy?

8. What are the merits of a democratic government?

9. Why India has not experiences a famine as severe as that of China in 1958-61?

10. What are the drawbacks of a democracy?

ONLINE TEST:-

https://www.aliensbrain.com/quiz/12392/what-is-democracy-why-democracy-class-ix

Worksheet :-

Link 1: https://www.studiestoday.com/worksheet-social-science-cbse-class-9-civics-worksheet-

what-democracy-why-democracy-200397.html

Page 7 of 7

Concept Map:-