Class 9 Civics Chapter 1 Notes:- What is Democracy? Why Democracy?
In this post, class 9 civics chapter 1 notes we discuss What is Democracy? Why Democracy? What are its features? The aim of What is Democracy Why Democracy class 9 notes are to understand clearly the bare minimum features of a democratic form of government. You can also download Civics class 9 chapter 1 notes pdf in the last. So let’s start what is democracy why democracy class 9 notes
What Is Democracy?
“Democracy is a government of the people, by the people and for the people” Abraham Lincoln.
The word democracy comes from a Greek word ‘Demokratia’. In Greek ‘demos’ means people and ‘kratia’ means rule. So democracy is ruled by the people.
A simple definition: Democracy is a form of government in which the rulers are elected by the people.
Feature of Democracy
Many questions arise in Democracy are:
- Who are the rulers in democracy?
- What kind of election constitutes a democratic election?
- Who are the people who can elect the rulers or get elected as rulers?
- What kind of a form of government is democracy?
Major Decisions by Elected Leaders
In a democracy, the final decision-making power must rest with those elected by the people.
Free and Fair Electoral Competition
Democracy must be based on a free and fair election where those currently in power have a fair chance of losing. he elections must offer a real choice between political alternatives. And it should be possible for people to use this choice to remove the existing rulers if they wish so.
One Person, One Vote, One Value
Democracy is based on a fundamental principle of political equality. In a democracy, each adult citizen must have one vote and each vote must have one value.
Rule of Law and Respect for Rights
A democratic government rules within limits set by constitutional law and citizens’ rights.
- There should be sufficient room for normal political activity, including political opposition, in the period before elections.
- People should be free to think, have opinions, express these in public, form associations, protest and take other political actions.
- Everyone should be equal in the eyes of law.
- These rights must be protected by an independent judiciary whose orders are obeyed by everyone.
Summary Definition
democracy is a form of government in which the rulers are elected by the people. democracy is a form of government in which:
- Rulers elected by the people take all the major decisions;
- Elections offer a choice and fair opportunity to the people to change the current rulers;
- This choice and opportunity is available to all people on an equal basis; and
- The exercise of this choice leads to a government limited by basic rules of the constitution and citizens’ rights.
Why Democracy?
Democracy cannot get us everything and is not the solution to all problems. But it is clearly better than any other alternative that we know. It offers better chances of a good decision, it is likely to respect people’s own wishes and allows different kinds of people to live together. Even when it fails to do some of these things, it allows a way of correcting its mistakes and offers more dignity to all citizens. That is why democracy is considered the best form of government.
Here are some arguments against democracy and for democracy:
Arguments against democracy
- Leaders keep changing in a democracy. This leads to instability.
- Democracy is all about political competition and power play. There is no scope for morality.
- So many people have to be consulted in a democracy that it leads to delays.
- Elected leaders do not know the best interest of the people. It leads to bad decisions.
- Democracy leads to corruption for it is based on electoral competition.
- Ordinary people don’t know what is good for them; they should not decide anything.
Arguments for Democracy
- A democratic government is a better government because it is a more accountable form of government.
- Democracy improves the quality of decision-making.
- Democracy provides a method to deal with differences and conflicts.
- Democracy enhances the dignity of citizens.
- Democracy is better than other forms of government because it allows us to correct our own mistakes.
Broader Meaning of Democracy
The most common form that democracy takes in our times is that of a representative democracy.
- In the countries we call democracy, all the people do not rule. A majority is allowed to take decisions on behalf of all the people.
- The majority of people rule through their elected representatives.
- The word democracy is also used for organisations other than the government.
- A democratic decision involves consultation with and consent of all those who are affected by that decision.
- Those who are not powerful have the same say in taking the decision as those who are powerful.
- We shall read more about that in Chapter 3.
Class 9 Civics Ch 1 Notes Pdf
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