CLASS- IX SPL-I: DEMOCRATIC POLITICS
Chapter 2 – What is Democracy? Why Democracy?
🌍 Introduction
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The word “democracy” is common. Politicians, leaders, even family members use it casually.
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But what does it really mean?
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Example: In families, elders may say “we are democratic” if they listen to everyone’s opinion.
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In schools, teachers sometimes say “our class is democratic” when students are allowed to vote for a monitor.
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Clearly, people use the term in many different ways.
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But in politics, democracy has a very specific meaning.
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The chapter’s aim: To explain clearly what democracy is and why we prefer it.
The word “democracy” is common. Politicians, leaders, even family members use it casually.
But what does it really mean?
-
Example: In families, elders may say “we are democratic” if they listen to everyone’s opinion.
-
In schools, teachers sometimes say “our class is democratic” when students are allowed to vote for a monitor.
Clearly, people use the term in many different ways.
But in politics, democracy has a very specific meaning.
The chapter’s aim: To explain clearly what democracy is and why we prefer it.
👉 Key Idea: Don’t confuse everyday usage with the political definition.
1️⃣ What is Democracy?
The simplest definition given is:
👉 Democracy is a form of government in which rulers are elected by the people.
A. First Feature – Rulers elected by the people
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Example: Pakistan (1999–2002) under General Pervez Musharraf.
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He took power in a military coup.
Declared himself “Chief Executive” and later President through a referendum (2002).
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Elections were held, but under military supervision.
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Final power remained with the army, not with elected representatives.
Example: Pakistan (1999–2002) under General Pervez Musharraf.
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He took power in a military coup.
Declared himself “Chief Executive” and later President through a referendum (2002).
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Elections were held, but under military supervision.
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Final power remained with the army, not with elected representatives.
👉 Lesson: A country is not democratic if rulers are not truly chosen by the people.
B. Second Feature – Major decisions by elected representatives
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In true democracy, the authority to make decisions lies with representatives chosen by people.
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Example: Pakistan again.
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Musharraf created a body called National Security Council with military officials.
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They could interfere in decisions of civilian leaders.
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Thus, elected leaders had little real power.
In true democracy, the authority to make decisions lies with representatives chosen by people.
Example: Pakistan again.
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Musharraf created a body called National Security Council with military officials.
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They could interfere in decisions of civilian leaders.
Thus, elected leaders had little real power.
👉 Lesson: In democracy, the final decision-making power must lie with elected representatives, not with army generals, monarchs, or religious heads.
C. Third Feature – Free and fair elections
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Elections must offer real choice and equal chance of winning.
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Example 1: China
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Elections are held every 5 years for National People’s Congress.
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Only Communist Party-approved candidates can contest.
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People cannot freely choose between different parties.
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Example 2: Mexico
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Until 2000, one party (PRI) ruled for 70 years.
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Opposition existed, but PRI used unfair practices (rigging, pressurizing voters, misuse of government resources).
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Both cases had “elections” but were not democratic.
Elections must offer real choice and equal chance of winning.
Example 1: China
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Elections are held every 5 years for National People’s Congress.
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Only Communist Party-approved candidates can contest.
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People cannot freely choose between different parties.
Example 2: Mexico
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Until 2000, one party (PRI) ruled for 70 years.
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Opposition existed, but PRI used unfair practices (rigging, pressurizing voters, misuse of government resources).
Both cases had “elections” but were not democratic.
👉 Lesson: Democracy means free and fair elections with real competition.
D. Fourth Feature – One person, one vote, one value
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True democracy gives equal political rights to all adults.
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This is called universal adult franchise.
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Violations:
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Saudi Arabia – women had no voting rights (until recently).
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Estonia – Russian-speaking minorities denied right to vote.
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Fiji – votes of indigenous Fijians were given more value than those of Indian Fijians.
True democracy gives equal political rights to all adults.
This is called universal adult franchise.
Violations:
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Saudi Arabia – women had no voting rights (until recently).
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Estonia – Russian-speaking minorities denied right to vote.
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Fiji – votes of indigenous Fijians were given more value than those of Indian Fijians.
👉 Lesson: Democracy is based on political equality — every citizen’s vote should carry the same weight.
E. Fifth Feature – Rule of law and rights of citizens
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Example: Zimbabwe under Robert Mugabe.
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ZANU-PF party kept winning elections.
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Opposition leaders harassed and attacked.
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State machinery (police, media, courts) misused.
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People forced to vote for ruling party.
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Elections alone did not make Zimbabwe democratic.
Example: Zimbabwe under Robert Mugabe.
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ZANU-PF party kept winning elections.
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Opposition leaders harassed and attacked.
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State machinery (police, media, courts) misused.
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People forced to vote for ruling party.
Elections alone did not make Zimbabwe democratic.
👉 Lesson: Democracy requires not only elections, but also:
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Rule of law.
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Freedom of expression.
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Respect for opposition.
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Protection of rights.
2️⃣ Why Democracy?
Now the chapter asks: If democracy has so many conditions, why do we still prefer it?
Arguments in Favor of Democracy
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Promotes Equality
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Every citizen has equal political rights.
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No one is superior in terms of political power.
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Improves Decision-Making
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Dictators can make quick decisions.
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But democratic decisions are made through discussion and debate.
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They may take time but are more effective and acceptable.
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Resolves Conflicts Peacefully
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In diverse societies (India, with caste, religion, language differences), democracy provides peaceful methods (elections, negotiations) to manage differences.
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Enhances Dignity of Citizens
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Democracy respects the worth of each person.
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People are not treated as subjects but as rulers of themselves.
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Especially important for women and disadvantaged groups.
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Allows Correction of Mistakes
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Dictatorships can’t be changed easily.
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Democracies allow people to remove unpopular leaders through elections.
Promotes Equality
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Every citizen has equal political rights.
-
No one is superior in terms of political power.
Improves Decision-Making
-
Dictators can make quick decisions.
-
But democratic decisions are made through discussion and debate.
-
They may take time but are more effective and acceptable.
Resolves Conflicts Peacefully
-
In diverse societies (India, with caste, religion, language differences), democracy provides peaceful methods (elections, negotiations) to manage differences.
Enhances Dignity of Citizens
-
Democracy respects the worth of each person.
-
People are not treated as subjects but as rulers of themselves.
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Especially important for women and disadvantaged groups.
Allows Correction of Mistakes
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Dictatorships can’t be changed easily.
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Democracies allow people to remove unpopular leaders through elections.
Arguments Against Democracy
Leaders keep changing → lack of stability.
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Delays in decision-making due to debates and consultations.
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Ordinary people may not know what is good for them.
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Corruption and dirty politics are common.
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Democracy often reduces to competition for power, ignoring people’s real needs.
Leaders keep changing → lack of stability.
Delays in decision-making due to debates and consultations.
Ordinary people may not know what is good for them.
Corruption and dirty politics are common.
Democracy often reduces to competition for power, ignoring people’s real needs.
👉 Lesson: Democracy is not perfect. But compared to dictatorship, monarchy, or military rule, it is still better.
3️⃣ Broader Meaning of Democracy
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So far, we defined democracy in terms of rules and procedures.
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But democracy must also be judged by its outcomes:
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Does it reduce poverty and inequality?
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Does it improve people’s quality of life?
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Does it protect freedom and dignity?
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Example: Zimbabwe shows that just holding elections is not enough — democracy must also work for people’s welfare.
So far, we defined democracy in terms of rules and procedures.
But democracy must also be judged by its outcomes:
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Does it reduce poverty and inequality?
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Does it improve people’s quality of life?
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Does it protect freedom and dignity?
Example: Zimbabwe shows that just holding elections is not enough — democracy must also work for people’s welfare.
👉 Lesson: Democracy must deliver both procedures (free elections, rights) and results (justice, dignity, equality).
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