CBSE Class 9 Civics - 2 || What is Democracy Why Democracy || Full Chapter || By Shiksha House
Summary
TLDRThis video explains the concept of democracy by examining its key features and various forms, such as representative and direct democracy. It contrasts democracies with non-democracies, like military dictatorships and monarchies, using examples from Myanmar, Chile, Saudi Arabia, and others. The importance of free and fair elections, political equality, and the rule of law in a democracy are emphasized. It also highlights challenges to democracy, such as limited choice in elections and autocratic leaders, while presenting arguments for democracy, including better decision-making, accountability, and respect for citizens' rights and dignity.
Takeaways
- 📜 Democracy originated from the Greek word meaning 'rule of the people', as reflected in Abraham Lincoln's famous definition.
- ⚖️ Democracies are distinct from non-democracies where the rulers are not elected by the people, such as military regimes or monarchies like Myanmar and Saudi Arabia.
- 🏛️ Representative democracy, like in India, involves citizens electing individuals to make decisions on their behalf, whereas direct democracy, seen in Switzerland, allows citizens to vote on decisions directly.
- 🎯 Free and fair elections are essential for a true democracy, where the ruling party must have a real chance of losing, unlike in countries where elections are controlled, like China or Mexico.
- 👥 In democracies, all adult citizens should have the right to vote, and each vote must carry equal weight. Countries that restrict voting rights, such as Saudi Arabia and Fiji, lack true political equality.
- 🛑 Popular approval of leaders is not enough for democracy if those leaders restrict rights and control media, as seen in Zimbabwe under Robert Mugabe.
- 📚 In a democracy, the government is bound by constitutional laws and must respect citizens' rights and consult on major decisions, unlike autocracies or dictatorships.
- 💬 Democracies promote freedom of speech, allow for public debate, and respect political opposition, which helps to safeguard the system and promote citizen engagement.
- 👨⚖️ An independent judiciary is crucial in a democracy to protect citizen rights and hold the government accountable without political interference.
- 🌱 Although democracy can be slow and prone to instability due to political competition, it ensures better decision-making, greater accountability, and the ability to correct mistakes compared to other systems of government.
Q & A
What is the basic definition of democracy according to the script?
-Democracy is defined as the rule of the people, by the people, and for the people, where rulers are elected by the people.
What distinguishes democracies from non-democracies, according to the script?
-Democracies allow the people to elect their rulers, while non-democracies, such as Myanmar under military rule or monarchies like Saudi Arabia, do not let the people elect their leaders.
What is the difference between representative and direct democracy?
-In representative democracy, people elect individuals to represent them in government (e.g., India), while in direct democracy, citizens directly participate in decision-making (e.g., Switzerland).
Why can’t all governments that hold elections be considered democracies?
-Not all elections are free or fair, and in some cases, like in China or under Pakistan’s General Musharraf, elected representatives do not hold real power, meaning these countries are not true democracies.
What are the main features of a democracy outlined in the script?
-The four main features of democracy include: 1) elected representatives hold decision-making power, 2) free and fair elections, 3) political equality for all citizens, and 4) a government that operates within constitutional limits.
How does the example of China demonstrate a lack of true democracy?
-In China, while elections are held every five years, all candidates must be approved by the Communist Party, meaning the election process is not free or open, and power remains with the party.
What are some arguments against democracy presented in the script?
-Some arguments against democracy include its potential to cause instability, slow decision-making, increased chances for corruption, and the possibility that elected leaders may not be qualified to rule.
What are some arguments in favor of democracy mentioned in the script?
-Democracy is more accountable to the people, ensures better decision-making, allows peaceful resolution of conflicts, enhances the dignity of citizens, and provides opportunities to correct mistakes.
Why does the script emphasize the importance of political equality in a democracy?
-Political equality is crucial because all citizens should have the right to vote, and each vote should have equal value, as seen in examples where political rights are denied or restricted, such as in Saudi Arabia or Estonia.
How does the script define the broader meaning of democracy beyond government?
-Democracy goes beyond government functions to include public participation, consultation, and representation in other areas of life, such as families and schools, where decisions should involve all affected members.
Outlines
📖 The Essence of Democracy
This paragraph introduces the concept of democracy by exploring its etymology, tracing it back to its Greek origins, meaning 'rule of the people.' It aligns with Abraham Lincoln's definition of democracy as 'government of the people, by the people, for the people.' It contrasts democracy with non-democratic governments, citing examples like Myanmar's military rule and Chile's dictatorship under General Pinochet. The paragraph further discusses monarchies, such as Saudi Arabia and Nepal (before 2008), highlighting the hereditary rule in monarchies where the people's will doesn't influence leadership. It concludes by distinguishing between representative and direct democracy, using India as an example of the former and Switzerland for the latter.
🎖️ Military Coups and the Limits of Democracy
The focus here is on the distinction between democratically elected governments and those that seize power through military coups. Pakistan under General Pervez Musharraf, who led a coup in 1999, is explored. Although elections were held, the real power was controlled by the military, not the elected representatives, showing the limits of democracy in such situations. The paragraph also touches on other cases like the USSR, communist Poland, and contemporary Iraq, where foreign powers or internal elites controlled the government, bypassing true democratic rule.
🔍 Elections Without Real Choice
This section examines how elections, even when held regularly, do not always equate to democracy. Using Mexico's PRI party as an example, it discusses how the party stayed in power for decades through manipulation, coercion, and corruption. In China, elections take place every five years, but only candidates approved by the Communist Party can contest, ensuring the party’s continued dominance. The paragraph underscores the importance of genuine electoral competition and highlights how elections in some countries fail to meet the criteria of free and fair democratic processes.
👥 Political Equality and Citizen Participation
Political equality and the right to vote are key aspects of a democracy. This paragraph outlines examples where political equality is denied, such as Saudi Arabia, where women couldn't vote, Estonia, where ethnic Russians face challenges in gaining citizenship, and Fiji, where voting rights differ based on ethnicity. The text argues that in a democracy, every adult citizen should have an equal right to vote, regardless of background. It also notes that even popular leaders, such as Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe, can undermine democracy by curbing freedoms and controlling institutions, highlighting the need for ongoing citizen participation and equality.
📜 Constitutional Limits on Power
This paragraph discusses how a democratic government must operate within the framework of the law and respect citizens' rights. Elected leaders cannot have unlimited power and must adhere to constitutional limits. The government is accountable not just to the public but also to other independent institutions. This accountability, along with respect for minorities and democratic checks, ensures that a democracy functions properly. The paragraph ends with a reflection on the strengths and weaknesses of democracy, advocating for democracy's ability to balance power and protect rights better than other forms of government.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Democracy
💡Representative Democracy
💡Direct Democracy
💡Elections
💡Referendum
💡Military Coup
💡Monarchy
💡Dictatorship
💡Free and Fair Elections
💡Political Equality
Highlights
Democracy originated from a Greek word meaning 'rule of the people,' aligning with Abraham Lincoln's definition: rule of the people, by the people, for the people.
Myanmar and Chile under General Pinochet are examples of non-democracies because rulers were not elected by the people, highlighting the distinction between democracies and dictatorships.
Monarchies like Saudi Arabia and Nepal before 2008 are not democracies because rulers are born into royalty, not elected by the people.
Representative democracy involves electing individuals to make decisions on behalf of the people, as seen in India, unlike direct democracy where citizens participate directly, exemplified by Switzerland.
Elections alone do not make a government democratic. For example, in China, candidates must be approved by the Communist Party, limiting true electoral competition.
The PRI party's long-standing control in Mexico through electoral manipulation illustrates how regular elections do not necessarily ensure democracy.
A key feature of democracy is free and fair elections where the ruling party has a genuine chance of losing, which distinguishes it from flawed elections like those in China and Mexico.
Political equality, where every citizen’s vote has equal value, is essential in a democracy, unlike in countries like Saudi Arabia, Estonia, and Fiji, where voting rights are restricted.
Even popular governments can be undemocratic if they suppress opposition and control media, as seen in Zimbabwe under Robert Mugabe.
A fundamental aspect of democracy is that elected representatives have the final decision-making power, unlike in pseudo-democracies where power lies outside the elected government.
A democratic government must operate within constitutional limits and respect citizens' rights, ensuring checks and balances on power.
Common criticisms of democracy include instability due to frequent leadership changes, slow decision-making, and the potential for corruption and unqualified leadership.
Arguments for democracy include greater government accountability, better decision-making through consultation, and the peaceful resolution of social conflicts.
Democracy enhances the dignity of citizens by providing political equality and allowing them to govern themselves through elected representatives.
A broader understanding of democracy extends beyond government to everyday life, where democratic principles can apply in families, schools, and communities.
Transcripts
what is your understanding of democracy
what does it mean let's first look at
some commonly known definitions of
democracy we already know that the word
democracy originated from a Greek word
that means the rule of the people this
isn't lined with Abraham Lincoln's
definition of democracy
democracy is a rule of the people
by the people bother people
from this simple definition
you can clearly distinguish democracies
from non democracies
for example
we know that Mayan mod is being ruled by
the army
that is
those who are in control of the army are
making the decisions for the country
the people of Myanmar have not elected
these rulers
this clearly shows that mine Mart is not
a democracy
general pinochet
led the coup in Chile
was also not elected by the people
his rule can be called dictatorship
some countries are ruled by one person
who is holy set apart from all other
members of the state
were called is subjects
the win of the people has nothing to do
with the selection of the ruler
these countries are not democracies
but monarchies for example
Saudi Arabia is a monarchy
Kings have ruled because they are born
into the royal family
you know India's neighbor
NEPA
was also a monarchy for about 239 years
in 2005
king Gyanendra to complete control of
the government
is missing the elected parliament
following opposition to its direct rule
he was peacefully to post in 2008
does
Naples newly elected Constituent
Assembly abolished the monarchy after
the elections in April 2008
Nepal is now
Federal Republic
democracy can be of several types
however the two main types of
democracies are representative democracy
and direct democracy
in representative democracy
the people elect individuals to
represent them
these representatives are given the
authority to rule the country
India is a representative democracy
contrast a representative democracy is
direct democracy
in a direct democracy the citizens
participate in the decision-making
personally rather than relying on
intermediaries or representatives
Switzerland is an example of direct
democracy in Switzerland five million
voters decide on important national
issues through referendums and
initiatives two to four times a year
a referendum involves direct voting the
entire electorate is asked to either
accept or reject a particular proposal
the proposal maybe for the adoption of a
new constitution a law or a specific
governmental policy the simple
definition of democracy that has evolved
so far tells us that democracy is the
people's rule
however this definition cannot be used
blindly
for example we cannot assume that all
governments that hold elections are
democratic
for example elections are conducted in
Pakistan and China
but the real power is not necessarily
vest in the people who are elected
you
in the next module we will explore the
definition of democracy father and
arrive at an understanding of the
features of a true democracy through
some case studies
in the previous chapter we discussed a
simple definition of democracy
democracy is a form of government in
which the rulers are elected by the
people
let's first analyze the word rulers
Pakistan has a democratically elected
government till October 1999
when general pervez musharraf led a
military coup
okuu is the sudden
unconstitutional deposition of a
legitimate government
a coup is usually led by a small group
of the existing state establishment
typically the military
to replace the deposed government with
another either civil or military
after the coup in October 1999 General
Moshe
declared himself the chief executive of
the country
later he changed his own designation to
president
and to
he held a referendum that granted him a
five-year extension
however
it was alleged that there had been a
fraud in the referendum
a referendum is a direct vote in which
the electorate is asked to either accept
or reject a proposal
to further strengthen his paw
but raise Musharraf next step was to
amend the Constitution of Pakistan
he did this by issuing a legal framework
order that gave the president the
authority to dismiss the national or
provincial assemblies
elections were then held to the national
and state assemblies
thus Pakistan had elected
representatives with some pars
however the work of the civilian cabinet
provide by a national security council
dominated by military officers
the military officers
and General Musharraf himself
had the power to override any decisions
made by the civilian cabinet
thus the elected representatives were
not the real rulers of Pakistan
similarly many dictatorships and
monarchies have an elected parliament
and government
with the real bar vesting in the people
not elected
if you recall the power of the USSR in
communist Poland and that of the u.s. in
contemporary Iraq the real power vested
with another country in these cases
therefore these also cannot be regarded
as people's rule or democracies
from all these examples it is clear that
in a democracy
the elected representatives of the
people should have the final
decision-making power
this is the first feature of democracy
let's move on to another keyword
elections
will analyze the example of a country
where elections are held regularly China
China has elections every five years
every time the people elect the
country's parliament called Chung Gow
Renmin die Bo
dolly or the National People's Congress
this Parliament has almost three
thousand members from various parts of
China and holds the power to appoint the
presidency of the country
some members are elected by the army
so far it sounds like a democracy
however not everyone can contest in
these elections
every candidate before contesting
needs to be approved by the Chinese
Communist Party
in 2002-2003 to contest elections
candidates needed to be members of the
Chinese Communist Party or one of the
eight smaller allied parties
result the communist party forms the
government every time
similarly every six years
Mexico holds elections to elect its
president
until 2000
every election was won by a party called
the PRI or the Institutional
Revolutionary Party
this was not because the PRI was the
most popular party the PRI won by using
a number of dirty tricks for example
employees
and the teachers and parents of students
in government schools were compelled to
attend PRI meetings and vote for them
the media was also in cahoots with the
PRI
reporting activities of opposition
parties only to criticize them the PRI
even shifted polling boots and used
large amounts of money for its
candidates
so
in effect
though Mexico has never been under
military or a dictators rule the
Mexicans didn't really have a proper
choice in selecting their
representatives
neither of the cases we just examined
can be considered examples of people
electing their rulers
the foundation of a democracy is free
and fair elections in which the ruling
party also faces a bad chance of losing
that is the second feature of a
democracy let's move on to the third and
the most important keyword people
even today
there are many places where the equal
right to vote is denied we look at some
examples here
the first example is Saudi Arabia where
women are not allowed to vote
another example is Estonia where the
citizenship rules make it difficult for
people belonging to the Russian minority
to gain the right to vote
finally let's look at Fiji
we're the electoral system gives more
value to the vote of an ethnic PG and
less to that of an Indian Fijian
these countries cannot really be
qualified as democracies because
political equality for citizens is
lacking
does in a democracy all adults who are
citizens of the country should be
allowed to vote
each vote having equal value
what happens if the popular government
turns out to be undemocratic
you
it is possible for popular leaders to be
autocratic as well
as has been seen in a number of case
studies Zimbabwe was under white
minority rule till it attained
independence in 1980
Zimbabwe African National Union
Patriotic Front zanu-pf
the party that led the freedom struggle
has ruled Zimbabwe since then
the leader of the Patriotic Front is
Robert Mugabe
changed the Constitution banned protests
Avast the opposition control the media
and influence the judiciary
thus though elections were held
regularly they were always won by the
Patriotic Front
clearly popular approval of the rulers
is necessary in a democracy
but it is not enough to categorize a
country as a democracy in a democracy
before the elections adequate leave a
needs to be given for normal political
activity and opposition the citizens
should be free to think and form
opinions
to be able to express these opinions in
public form associations and take other
political actions
additionally all rights should apply to
everyone equally
finally there should be an independent
judiciary to protect the rights of the
citizens without any political pressure
now let's consider the conditions that
apply to the way a government is run
after an election winning an election
does not entitle a democratic government
to do whatever it likes
the government in power needs to respect
and honor the guarantees to the
minorities
additionally major decisions cannot be
taken without going through a number of
consultations at every step all office
bearers are assigned certain rights and
responsibilities by the Constitution as
well as the law they are accountable for
fulfilling their responsibilities to the
public as well as to other independent
officials thus we can deduce that a
democratic government rules within the
limits set by the constitutional law and
the citizens rights
that is the fourth and final feature of
a democracy
we all need to introspect weigh the pros
and cons of democracy
and arrive at our own personal views on
the subject
let's start with the review of the main
arguments typically presented against
democracy democracy can lead to
instability as the leaders keep changing
in a democratic government
quick action is not possible in
democracy
because many people need to be consulted
before making any kind of decision
politicians are not too concerned about
morality in a democracy
because this form of government is all
about political competition and power
play
in fact electoral competition provides a
lot of scope for corruption
elected leaders may not necessarily be
qualified to understand the best
interests of the people this can lead to
bad decisions
finally it can be said that ordinary
people are not qualified to select a
good leader and so should not be given
that power
many of these arguments are indeed valid
however some of the points mentioned
could apply to any form of government
where power is misused
the above arguments against democracy
meishuu case it is not the ideal form of
government
I ain't here is whether democracy is
better than other forms of governments
that we are over off
to resolve this dilemma let's look at
the other side of the coin
the arguments for democracy
China recorded the worst famine from
1958 to 1961 in the history of the world
with the tool of more than three crore
whereas India
in spite of worse economic conditions
did not have such an acute famine
economists think it was because the
government's policies in India were
different
India being a democracy had multi-party
elections an opposition party looking
over the government's shoulder and a
press free to criticize the government
therefore
the Indian government responded to the
food scarcity in a manner very different
from that of the Chinese government
in a non democracy the rulers may or may
not respond to the needs and wishes of
the people
thus we arrived at our first argument in
favor of democracy
a democratic government is more
accountable to its people
as mentioned earlier Democratic
decisions involve a series of
consultations meetings and discussions
among many persons
granted
that such a decision-making process is
time-consuming
this helps a democracy guard against
rash or irresponsible decisions
that's our second argument in favor of
democracy
a democratic government can ensure
better decisions
during our earlier discussions on
democracy you learned that all
individuals may have different ideas
ideals and values
this is especially true in a country of
vast social diversity such as India
however in a democracy no one can be
regarded as a winner or loser
permanently
therefore democracy enables people to
deal with differences and conflicts in a
peaceful manner
this was the some of the arguments about
the effects of democracy on the quality
of government and social life
however the more important aspect of
democracy is the effect of democracy on
citizens in enforcing political equality
democracy enhances the dignity of
citizens
the same status to all people regardless
of wealth or education
rather than being subservient to a ruler
the citizens rule themselves through
elected representatives when they make
mistakes they assume responsibility for
their own mistakes as well
thus democracy is better than other
forms of government because it allows us
to correct our own mistakes
no form of government can guarantee
perfection
however democracy as a form of
government allows for relatively more
transparency public discussion and
correction of mistakes
Hoss is a representative democracy
people rule through their elected
representatives the limited
understanding of representative
democracy is
firstly it is not physically possible
for all of them to sit together and make
collective decisions
secondly all citizens may not have the
time skill or inclination to take part
in the decision-making process
it also limits us to democracy in a
government
for an understanding of the operations
of a democracy beyond government
functions we need to look at the broader
meaning of democracy
for example families and schools can be
democratic as well
kradic family
the opinion of each family member is
given equal importance in making a
decision
similarly
better scoop for democracy in schools as
well
students like teachers who encourage
them to be curious learners
a decision is democratic if it is made
after consultation of everyone likely to
be affected by it for example
in relatively small communities like a
gram sabha all the members can sit
together and make decisions directly
the features of democracy that we
discussed in earlier modules provided a
basic foundation for our understanding
of democracy
and also what an ideal democracy should
be like
thus broadly speaking democracy involves
public participation consultation and
representation
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