Class 9 spl ch1 notes

 WHAT IS DEMOCRACY?WHY DEMOCRACY?

(What is democracy?)

Defination: Democracy is a form of government in which the rulers are elected by the people. 

FEATURES OF GOVERNMENT-

Major decisions by the Elected Leaders:

Case of Pakistan- 1) In october 1999, General Pervez Musharraf led a military coup.

2) He overthrew a democratically elected government.

3) He declared himself the 'chief executive' (2000) of the country.

4) Later he changed his designation to president.

5) In 2002 he held a referendum in the country that granted him a five year extension.

Pakistani media, human rights organisation and democracy activists said that that referendum was based om malpractices and fraud.

in august 2002-He issued a 'Legal Framework Order' that amended the constitution of Pakistan.

According to this order- the President can dismiss the national and provincial assemblies.

The work of the civilian cabinet is supervised by a National Security Council which is dominated by military officers.

Election were held to the national and provincial assemblies.

Elected representatives have some powers.

The final power rested with military officers and general Musharraf himself.

Thus, Pakistan under General Musharraf should not be called a democracy.

FREE AND FAIR ELECTORAL COMPETITION-

Case of China: 1) Elections are regularly held after every five years for electing the country's parliament, called National People's Congress.

2) The National People's Congress has the power to appoint the President of the country.

3)It has nearly 3000 members elected from all over China. Some members are elected by the army.

Before contesting elections, a candidate needs the approval of the Chinese Communist Party.

Only those who are members of the Chinese Communist Party or eight smaller parties allied to it were allowed to contest elections held in 2002-03 

The government is always formed by the Communist Party.

Case of Mexico- 1) Since 1930, Mexico holds elections after every 6 years to elect its President .

2)Country has never been under a military or dictator's rule.

3) Till 2000, every elections won by PRI( Institutional Revolution Party).

4)Opposition parties did contest elections, but never managed to win.

PRI- use many dirty tricks to win elections.

Government employees had to attend its party meetings.

Government teachers used to force parents to vote for PRI.

Media largely ignored the activities of opposition political parties except to criticise them.

sometimes the polling booths were shifted from one place to another in the last minute, which made it difficult for people to cast their votes.

Hence, these are not fair elections. A democracy must be based on a free and fair election where those currently in power have a fair chance of losing.

ONE PERSON, ONE VOTE, ONE VALUE-

Instances of denial of equal rights to vote:

Saudi Arabia- Until 2015, women did not have the right to vote.

Estonia- People belonging to Russian minority find it difficult to get the right to vote.

Fiji- Vote of an indigenous Fiji has more value than that of an Indian-Fiji.

Democracy is based on a fundamental principle of political equality.

Each adult citizen must have one vote and each vote must have one value.

RULE OF LAW AND RESPECT FOR RIGHTS 

Case of Zimbabwe- 1) Attained independence in 1980.

2)Since then country was ruled by ZANU-PF party. It's leader Robert Mugabe, ruled the country.

3) President Mugabe was popular but also used unfair practices in elections.

4) Over the years his government changed the constitution.

5)This was done to increase the power of the President and make him less accountable.

Opposition party workers were harassed and their meeting disrupted.

Public protest and demonstrations against the government were declared illegal.

Law made- To limit the right to criticise the President.

Television and radio were controlled by the government and gave only the ruling party's version.

Independent newspapers journalists were harassed.

Government ignored court's judgements and pressurised judges.However, in  2017 President was forced out of his office.

  

Example of Zimbabwe shows:1) Popular approval of the rulers is necessary in a democracy, but not sufficient.

2)Popular governments can be undemocratic.

3)Popular leaders can be autocratic.

CONDITIONS FOR IDEAL DEMOCRACY-

Sufficient room for normal political activity, including political opposition, in the period before elections.

State should respect some basic rights of the citizen.

Fundamental rights should be provided to the citizen.

There should be equality before law.

Independent judiciary as guardian of rights.

Democracy is a form of government in which-

1)Rulers elected by the people take all the major decisions.(Ex-Pakistan)

2)Elections offer a choice and fair opportunities to the people to change the current rulers.(Ex-China,Mexico)

3)The exercise of this choice leads to a government limited by basic rules of the constitution and citizens' rights.(Ex-Zimbabwe)

4)The choice and opportunity is available to all the people on an equal basis.