9. Consider the following facts about a country and decide if you would call it a democracy. Give reasons to support your decision.
A. All the citizens of the country have the right to vote. Elections are held regularly.
B. The country took loans from international agencies. One of the conditions for giving loan was that the government would reduce its expenses on education and health.
C. People speak more than seven languages but education is available only in one language, the language spoken by 52 per cent people of that country.
D. Several organisations have given a call for peaceful demonstrations and nationwide strikes in the country to oppose these policies. Government has arrested these leaders.
E. The government owns the radio and television in the country. All the newspapers have to get permission from the government to publish any news about the government’s policies and protests.
Answers
A. From this statement, we can understand that it is a democratic country where citizens are allowed to vote and choose their government.
B. While taking a loan from international agencies, the country is compromising on the welfare of the people by reducing their expenditure on education and health which is totally undemocratic.
C. The provision of making education accessible in only one language is undemocratic. It is the fundamental right for people to have an education and it is the government’s duties to provide them in the language they know.
D. Right to assemble and peacefully demonstrate is a basic right of an individual. Hence, arresting the protestors is undemocratic.
E. When the government owns the radio and television, it is debarring people from availing their right to free press. It is undemocratic.
Answer:
Opposition parties can draw attention to hunger and starvation. Free press can report suffering from famine in different parts of the country. Government fears its defeat in the next elections. People are free to believe in and practise any religion. 6. There are 40 villages in a district where the government has made no provision for drinking water. These villagers met and considered many methods of forcing the government to respond to their need. Which of these is not a democratic method? Filing a case in the courts claiming that water is part of the right to life. Boycotting the next elections to give a message to all parties. Organising public meetings against the government’s policies. Paying money to government officials to get water.
Explanation: