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Democracy1. Define Democracy?

Ans. Democracy consists of two words, `Demo’ means `People’ and `Cracy’ means `Power’. Thus a democratic government is that government in which the citizens have some kind of control over decision making. A democratic government must fulfill its responsibilities towards the citizens. A democratic government is a government of the people, by the people and for the people. It is a system of governing where government is based on liberty, equality and welfare of all.

2. Trace the Origin of Modern Democracy?

Ans. A Modern Democracy has to be open and universal. Its origin begins taking shape in Europe during 17th and 18th centuries. England was the first country which took steps towards ruled. When 1688 Glomous Revolution. In England broke, it decided once for all that the kings world rule England but through the principle of rule. Then began era of reforming the organs of the government by granting incremental franchise gradually to all the people. By the beginning of the 20th century, Universal Adult Franchise was adopted in England. Now, with the government by the people, there was the government of the people. As in Western European Countries, welfare-ism became the creed of the state; democracy came to be described as the government for the people.

Besides this, French Revolution helped in ending feudalism for good and established democracy in France. The fathers of revolution declared the fundamental rights of man and made equality, liberty and fraternity as the basis of governments in democratic set up.

3. Describe the types of Democracy?

Ans. Usually democracy is of two types:

a) Direct Democracy andb) Indirect Democracy or Representative Democracy.

Direct Democracy: Direct Democracy is one in which there is simply no difference between the people and the government. The government and the people are the same. In such a type of democracy all the citizens take direct part in the functioning of the government. They make laws themselves and also decide the policy of government. They appoint the executive officers, hold them and also decide the policy of

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government. They appoint the executive officers, hold them responsible and even remove them. This democracy is possible only in small states. At presents direct democracy due to large size and population.

Indirect Democracy: Indirect democracy is anther type of democracy in which people rule themselves is through their representatives that is why that indirect democracy is called representatives democracy in this type of democracy people elect their representatives periodically. These representatives make laws and rule on behalf of the people. Elections play a very vital role indirect democracy. Mostly of the modern countries and we also have indirect type of democracy.

4. Describe briefly the hindrances that come in the way of democracy in India?

Ans. The hindrances that come in the way of democracy in India can be describe as under:

1. Illiteracy: Illiteracy is a big snag in the democratic process. Illiteracy not only spoils chances of getting jobs, it restricts man`s knowledge of world around him. Thus an illiterate man can not be expected to understand national problem and take an active part in political matters. An illiterate man sometimes does not do what is good for him, but what others want him to do. So, he cant misled by others easily during elections.

2. Poverty: We must remember poverty, is not the question of one man`s lifted poverty is linked always to wealth. The poor form a vast majority of our society. Poverty speaks of economic inequality. Obviously, economic inequality distorts the working of democracy. For example, Moneylenders in the village can pass pressure on their debtors among the poor pressure on their debtors among the poor peasant’s employers on their employees etc during the elections and make them to vote for a particular candidate.

3. Linguism: Linguism hampers democracy if people vote according to the basis of language. Democracy would fail in its object. Language does not take us ahead much and restrict our choice only to those who speak the language we speak.

4. Casteism: Casteism is the tendency to act in policies for reasons of caste. People who vote for a particular candidate simply because he belongs to the same caste as theirs. Obviously this distorts the functioning of democracy. The whole purpose of democracy is defeated if people vote for a particular candidate simply because he belongs to their caste.

4. Define Public opinion. How is public opinion formed and expired?

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Ans. Public Opinion is the opinion of the people pertaining to issue of public importance. It is, this, the reaction of the people towards the activities of the government. Surely, the public opinion has to be alert and intelligent and informed. This helps to avert a situation in which a government could disregard the rights of the people.

Public Opinion is not only formed, it has to be expressed. The press, for instance, does not only shape public opinion. It is also a forum where public opinion is reflected. Newspapers carry the world`s views, the country`s news and the social and political problems close to us. By reading newspapers and listening to radio and viewing television, people form opinion on public matter.

The Journalists, individual members and party leaders use the press for expressing public opinion. Along with press, the cinema and broadcast system and Television work as agencies of expressing public opinion.

Besides these, the political parties and legislature also play an important role in forming and expressing the public opinion.

5. What did democracy mean in ancient societies?

Ans. Democracy, in ancient societies and particular in ancient Athens meant that the slaves and common people had no rights that their masters had a good hand in running the government and they enjoyed all the political rights. The ancient democracy was based in political inequality i.e. having belief in inequality of many people in ancient societies were either masters or slaves.

6. What does democracy mean now?

Ans. In modern days democracy means political equality. This means that all citizens have the right to participate in the composition, execution and administration. Thus democracy now means government of the people by the people and for the people. It is system where government is based on liberty, equality and for the welfare of all.

7. What is meant by principle of political equality?

Ans. Principle of political equality means that all citizens are equal in the enjoyment of political rights.

Or we can also say that, One man, One vote, is also called the principle of political equality.

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Do It Yourself:

When and Where Glorious revolution took place?

Ans. 1688 in England.

French Revolution occurred in ?

Ans. 1789

Name the country where first democratic government was set up?

Ans. England.

Indirect Democracy is also called?

Ans. Representative Democracy.

Define Accountability?

Ans. Accountability means the power of the people to ask the government. Why it had done, what it id, and it they are not satisfied, with the way the government has functioned, they must thrown it out of office in the next election.

__________________________________________________________________BY: NIKHIL DHAWAN

Phone: 09103344552 | nikdhawan@outlook.com | For More Projects @ Good Prices