Question

Here is some information about four countries. Based on this
information, how would you classify each of these countries. Write
‘democratic’, ‘undemocratic’ or ‘not sure’ against each of these.
a Country P: The parliament cannot pass a law about the army
without the consent of the Chief of Army.
b Country Q: The parliament cannot pass a law reducing the powers
of the judiciary.
c Country R: The country’s leaders cannot sign any treaty with
another country without taking permission from its neighbouring
country.
d Country S: All the major economic decisions about the country
are taken by officials of the central bank which the ministers cannot
change.

NCERT Class 9th: Civics Social Studies (S.St) Ch 2 What is Democracy? Why Democracy?

Answer 1

1. UNDEMOCRATIC because in such a situation army can take up the power the country making it completely undemocratic.It can make the Chief of the Army the head of the country.

2. NOT SURE because the powers to the Judiciary are given by the Constitution and if the powers are reduced then the law and order in the state would also reduce.

3. DEMOCRATIC because every country has the right to take decisions for his country.

4. UNDEMOCRATIC because ministers of a country are chosen by the people of country and they too want to take decisions for the welfare of the country.

Answer 2

Answer:

Undemocratic

Democratic

Undemocratic

Undemocratic

Explanation:

Country P must have an army controlled by the state to be democratic. If the state is controlled by the army it is undemocratic. So, if a law is needed in country P about the army, the Chief can be consulted but his consent is not important.

Country Q shows a clear division of the state between legislative, executive and judiciary which is a principle of democracy in accordance to the works of Montesquieu. As the legislative and executive are separate from the judiciary, the legislative should not be able to exert any control over the workings of the judiciary. Hence, it is democratic.

Country R cannot be controlled by another country as then the elected representatives of the country cannot formulate foreign policy for the country without another country's intervention. If it was democratic, it would be sovereign of any foreign consent being required.

Country S cannot be run by officials which are not elected by the country. As the officials of the central bank are not elected, the public is not represented. If country S was democratic, these officials would advise and consult the minister but this would not be the final say.