Class IX - What is Democracy ? Why Democracy ?

Class IX - What is Democracy ? Why Democracy ?

Questions within the Lesson

Page No. 23

Q.1. News items like this appear very often in newspapers. Do they all use the word democracy in the same sense?

Ans. No. The headlines are being sarcastic, e.g., “Nepal king invents ‘democracy’” or “Why wait for a revolution”. The headlines about Afghanistan clearly suggest that democracy is not accepted by the people.

Page No. 25

Q.2. This cartoon was drawn when elections were held in Iraq with the presence of US and other  foreign powers. What do you think this cartoon is saying? Why is ‘democracy’ written the way it is?

Ans. Democracy — where fear and fair elections must be held — is being forced on Iraq by the US and its allies. There are no “free” and “fair” elections. On the other hand American Forces, on the name of promotion of Democracy are trying to make way for American Multinational Companies in countries who are not allowing them.  Here the symbol M stands for McDonald's (With the expansion of McDonald's into many international markets, the company has become a symbol of globalization and the spread of the American way of life. Its prominence has also made it a frequent topic of public debates about obesity, corporate ethics and consumer responsibility.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonald's), with the arrival of American forces in Iraq, they have cleared the way for McDonald's and other MNCs also.

Page No. 26

Q.3. Syria is a small west Asian country. The ruling Baath Party and some of its small allies are the only parties allowed in that country. Do you think this cartoon could apply to China or Mexico? What does the crown of leaves on democracy signify?

Ans. Again the cartoon suggests that there is no true democracy in Syria. Yes, it would suit China and Mexico also where no opposition parties are allowed to contest election. Crown of leaves — It is a symbol of victory. In Greece the reward to the winner was this crown. Here the crown suggests that ‘democracy’ has won and demands justice, but the one party rule is denying this right to the people of Syria.

Page No. 27

Q.4. This cartoon was drawn in the context of Latin America. Do you think it applies to the Pakistani situation as well? Think of other countries where this could apply. Does this happen sometimes in our country as well?

Ans. Yes, it applies to Pakistan. Other countries are Myanmar, Iraq where people are forced to vote

by the army. No, it has not happened in our country.

Page No. 28

Q.5. This cartoon was titled ‘Building democracy’ and was first published in a Latin American publication. What do moneybags signify here? Could this cartoon be applied to India?

Ans. This cartoon suggests that ‘democracy’ is in the hand of the rich. They control the country. If there is lack of awareness among the people, they can be easily influenced by the use of money, as well as their votes can be Thus, affecting the Election results as well as Government Policies with the help of Money.
Though in Our country laws restrict the free use of money in elections, but overall we can say that Money plays an important role in deciding the outcomes of elections, even in our country.

Page No. 29

Q.6. This cartoon is about the Iraqi election held after Saddam Hussain’s regime was overthrown. He is shown behind the bars. What is the cartoonist saying here? Compare the message of this cartoon with the first cartoon in this chapter.

Ans. The cartoon shows the end of dictatorship in Iraq where Saddam ruled unchecked. People rejoice at elections being held. But the first cartoon shows that people do not have a real choice. They are forced to vote, by the powerful US and its allies.

Page No. 30

Q.7. Chinese government blocked free flow of information on the Internet by placing restrictions on popular websites like ‘Google’ and ‘Yahoo’. The image of tanks and an unarmed student reminds the reader of another major event in recent Chinese history. Find out about that event.

Ans. Refers to the massacre that took place at Tianmen Square where hundreds of students were

ruthlessly killed.

Page No. 32

Q.8. This cartoon is from Brazil, a country that has long experience of dictatorship. It is entitled “The Hidden Side of Dictatorship”. Which hidden sides does this cartoon depict? Is it necessary for every dictatorship to have a hidden side? Find this out about the dictators discussed in the first chapter and if possible, about Abacha in Nigeria and Marcos in Philippines.

Ans. The hidden side of dictatorship is massacre or killing of innocent people. Anybody who opposes the policies of a dictator is killed. Since the dictators control the media, the  public never comes to know the number of people killed.

Page No. 33

Q.9. What would have happened if India was not a democracy? Could we have stayed together as a single nation?

Ans. We definitely would not have remained united. Differences of caste, language and religion would have raised their ugly head and divided our country. History would repeat itself and some foreign power would have enslaved us again, destroyed our pride, dignity and economy.

Page No. 34

Q.10. Rajesh and Muzaffar read an article. It showed that no democracy has ever gone to war with another democracy. Wars take place only when one of the two governments is nondemocratic. The article said that this was a great merit of democracy. After reading the essay, Rajesh and Muzaffar had different reactions. Rajesh said that this was not a good argument for democracy. It was just a matter of chance. It is possible that in future democracies may have wars. Muzaffar said that it could not be a matter of chance.

Democracies take decisions in such a way that it reduces the chances of war. Which of the two positions do you agree with and why?

Ans. I agree with Muzaffar. There is certainly a strong point in favour of democracies. Since decisions are taken after consultation, nobody rushes into war; sanity and reason rule every decision.

Q.11. This cartoon was published in Canada just before its parliamentary elections of 2005. Everyone, including the cartoonist, expected the Liberal Party to win once again. When the results came, the Liberal Party lost the elections. Is this cartoon an argument against democracy or for democracy?

Ans. This cartoon is definitely in favour of democracy. In an indirect way it is telling the public not

to be fooled and exercise their voting rights wisely, which they did by ousting the Liberals in

the elections.

Page No. 35

Q.12. This famous cartoon by R.K. Laxman comments on the celebrations of the fifty years of the independence. How many images on the wall do you recognise? Do many common people feel the way the common man in this cartoon does?

Ans. The cartoon does reflect the opinion of the general  public. For fifty years leaders have made promises, made tall claims of achievements — still basic facilities are still denied to the common man — poverty is not eradicated, there is shortage of water, power, shelter, schools, hospitals — the basic necessities of life. The common man is bored by promises which are never fulfilled, actions do not match the promises.

Page No. 36

Q.13. In my village the Gram Sabha never meets. Is that democratic?

Ans. Definitely not.