write essay on democracy and poverty

Essay on Democracy and Poverty

Students are often asked to write an essay on Democracy and Poverty in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

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100 Words Essay on Democracy and Poverty

Introduction.

Democracy and poverty are two important aspects of societal life. Democracy is the rule by the people, while poverty is a condition where people lack basic necessities.

The Link Between Democracy and Poverty

In a democracy, citizens have the right to vote and influence policies. Sadly, poverty can limit this power. Poor people may lack education to make informed decisions.

Democracy’s Role in Alleviating Poverty

Democracy can play a crucial role in reducing poverty. It can provide equal opportunities, and ensure that policies benefit everyone, including the poor.

While poverty can challenge democracy, a true democratic system can help alleviate poverty.

250 Words Essay on Democracy and Poverty

The democratic promise.

In theory, democracy should provide an environment conducive to economic growth and poverty reduction. Democratic systems encourage citizen participation, accountability, and transparency, which are vital for fair wealth distribution. They also protect civil liberties, enabling individuals to pursue economic opportunities.

Democracy’s Dilemma

However, democracy doesn’t always lead to poverty reduction. In some democracies, economic inequality persists due to various factors such as corruption, political instability, and inadequate social policies. The democratic process can also be manipulated by elites, leading to policies that favor the rich and exacerbate poverty.

Democracy and Poverty: The Interplay

Democracy and poverty have a reciprocal relationship. While poverty can hinder the consolidation of democracy as it may lead to political instability and social unrest, a well-functioning democracy can also help alleviate poverty by promoting fair distribution of resources and social justice.

In conclusion, democracy and poverty are intertwined in a complex nexus. While democracy holds the promise of poverty reduction, its effectiveness is dependent on the presence of robust institutions, rule of law, and an active civil society. Therefore, the challenge lies in strengthening democratic processes and institutions to ensure they serve as effective tools for poverty alleviation.

500 Words Essay on Democracy and Poverty

The interplay between democracy and poverty is a complex, yet integral aspect of political and economic discourse. Democracy, characterized by the rule of the majority and equality of political rights, often clashes with the grim realities of poverty, where resources and opportunities are unequally distributed. This essay delves into the intricate relationship between these two phenomena.

The Democratic Paradox

Democracy, poverty and political participation.

Poverty can significantly impact political participation, a cornerstone of any democratic system. The economically disadvantaged often lack the resources and time to engage actively in political processes. Additionally, their immediate survival needs might overshadow long-term policy considerations, leading to a focus on short-term relief rather than sustainable solutions. This can result in the perpetuation of poverty, as policies may not address the structural causes of economic disadvantage.

The Role of Policy and Governance

The potential of democracy to alleviate poverty largely depends on the quality of governance and policy-making. Effective policies should aim to reduce income disparity, improve access to education and healthcare, and create opportunities for economic mobility. However, in many democracies, these policies are often influenced by the interests of the wealthy and powerful, leading to a skewed distribution of resources. This highlights the need for more inclusive and equitable policy-making processes.

Democracy as a Catalyst for Poverty Reduction

In conclusion, the relationship between democracy and poverty is multifaceted and heavily influenced by factors such as political participation, policy-making, and governance. While democracy alone cannot eradicate poverty, it can provide a platform for inclusive growth and equitable distribution of resources. However, for this potential to be realized, it is essential to address the inherent challenges within democratic systems and strive for a more inclusive and equitable form of democracy. The interplay between democracy and poverty thus presents an ongoing challenge that requires nuanced understanding and innovative solutions.

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Democracy Essay

Democracy is derived from the Greek word demos or people. It is defined as a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people. Democracy is exercised directly by the people; in large societies, it is by the people through their elected agents. In the phrase of President Abraham Lincoln, democracy is the “Government of the people, by the people, and for the people.” There are various democratic countries, but India has the largest democracy in the world. This Democracy Essay will help you know all about India’s democracy. Students can also get a list of CBSE Essays on different topics to boost their essay-writing skills.

500+ Words Democracy Essay

India is a very large country full of diversities – linguistically, culturally and religiously. At the time of independence, it was economically underdeveloped. There were enormous regional disparities, widespread poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, and a shortage of almost all public welfare means. Since independence, India has been functioning as a responsible democracy. The same has been appreciated by the international community. It has successfully adapted to challenging situations. There have been free and fair periodic elections for all political offices, from the panchayats to the President. There has been a smooth transfer of political power from one political party or set of political parties to others, both at national and state levels, on many occasions.

India: A Democratic Country

Democracy is of two, i.e. direct and representative. In a direct democracy, all citizens, without the intermediary of elected or appointed officials, can participate in making public decisions. Such a system is only practical with relatively small numbers of people in a community organisation or tribal council. Whereas in representative democracy, every citizen has the right to vote for their representative. People elect their representatives to all levels, from Panchayats, Municipal Boards, State Assemblies and Parliament. In India, we have a representative democracy.

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 are available to all people on an equal basis. The exercise of this choice leads to a government limited by basic rules of the constitution and citizens’ rights.

Democracy is the Best Form of Government

A democratic government is a better government because it is a more accountable form of government. Democracy provides a method to deal with differences and conflicts. Thus, democracy improves the quality of decision-making. The advantage of a democracy is that mistakes cannot be hidden for long. There is a space for public discussion, and there is room for correction. Either the rulers have to change their decisions, or the rulers can be changed. Democracy offers better chances of a good decision. It respects 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.

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Essay on Democracy in 100, 300 and 500 Words

• Updated on  
• Jan 15, 2024

The oldest account of democracy can be traced back to 508–507 BCC Athens . Today there are over 50 different types of democracy across the world. But, what is the ideal form of democracy? Why is democracy considered the epitome of freedom and rights around the globe? Let’s explore what self-governance is and how you can write a creative and informative essay on democracy and its significance. 

Today, India is the largest democracy with a population of 1.41 billion and counting. Everyone in India above the age of 18 is given the right to vote and elect their representative. Isn’t it beautiful, when people are given the option to vote for their leader, one that understands their problems and promises to end their miseries? This is just one feature of democracy , for we have a lot of samples for you in the essay on democracy. Stay tuned!

This Blog Includes:

What is democracy , sample essay on democracy (100 words), sample essay on democracy (250 to 300 words), sample essay on democracy for upsc (500 words).

Democracy is a form of government in which the final authority to deliberate and decide the legislation for the country lies with the people, either directly or through representatives. Within a democracy, the method of decision-making, and the demarcation of citizens vary among countries. However, some fundamental principles of democracy include the rule of law, inclusivity, political deliberations, voting via elections , etc. 

Did you know: On 15th August 1947, India became the world’s largest democracy after adopting the Indian Constitution and granting fundamental rights to its citizens?

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Democracy where people make decisions for the country is the only known form of governance in the world that promises to inculcate principles of equality, liberty and justice. The deliberations and negotiations to form policies and make decisions for the country are the basis on which the government works, with supreme power to people to choose their representatives, delegate the country’s matters and express their dissent. The democratic system is usually of two types, the presidential system, and the parliamentary system. In India, the three pillars of democracy, namely legislature, executive and judiciary, working independently and still interconnected, along with a free press and media provide a structure for a truly functional democracy. Despite the longest-written constitution incorporating values of sovereignty, socialism, secularism etc. India, like other countries, still faces challenges like corruption, bigotry, and oppression of certain communities and thus, struggles to stay true to its democratic ideals.

Did you know: Some of the richest countries in the world are democracies?

Must Read : Consumer Rights in India

Must Read: Democracy and Diversity Class 10

As Abraham Lincoln once said, “democracy is the government of the people, by the people and for the people.” There is undeniably no doubt that the core of democracies lies in making people the ultimate decision-makers. With time, the simple definition of democracy has evolved to include other principles like equality, political accountability, rights of the citizens and to an extent, values of liberty and justice. Across the globe, representative democracies are widely prevalent, however, there is a major variation in how democracies are practised. The major two types of representative democracy are presidential and parliamentary forms of democracy. Moreover, not all those who present themselves as a democratic republic follow its values.

Many countries have legally deprived some communities of living with dignity and protecting their liberty, or are practising authoritarian rule through majoritarianism or populist leaders. Despite this, one of the things that are central and basic to all is the practice of elections and voting. However, even in such a case, the principles of universal adult franchise and the practice of free and fair elections are theoretically essential but very limited in practice, for a democracy. Unlike several other nations, India is still, at least constitutionally and principally, a practitioner of an ideal democracy.

With our three organs of the government, namely legislative, executive and judiciary, the constitutional rights to citizens, a multiparty system, laws to curb discrimination and spread the virtues of equality, protection to minorities, and a space for people to discuss, debate and dissent, India has shown a commitment towards democratic values. In recent times, with challenges to freedom of speech, rights of minority groups and a conundrum between the protection of diversity and unification of the country, the debate about the preservation of democracy has become vital to public discussion.

Did you know: In countries like Brazil, Scotland, Switzerland, Argentina, and Austria the minimum voting age is 16 years?

Also Read: Difference Between Democracy and Dictatorship

Democracy originated from the Greek word dēmokratiā , with dēmos ‘people’ and Kratos ‘rule.’ For the first time, the term appeared in the 5th century BC to denote the political systems then existing in Greek city-states, notably Classical Athens, to mean “rule of the people.” It now refers to a form of governance where the people have the right to participate in the decision-making of the country. Majorly, it is either a direct democracy where citizens deliberate and make legislation while in a representative democracy, they choose government officials on their behalf, like in a parliamentary or presidential democracy.

The presidential system (like in the USA) has the President as the head of the country and the government, while the parliamentary system (like in the UK and India) has both a Prime Minister who derives its legitimacy from a parliament and even a nominal head like a monarch or a President.

The notions and principle frameworks of democracy have evolved with time. At the core, lies the idea of political discussions and negotiations. In contrast to its alternatives like monarchy, anarchy, oligarchy etc., it is the one with the most liberty to incorporate diversity. The ideas of equality, political representation to all, active public participation, the inclusion of dissent, and most importantly, the authority to the law by all make it an attractive option for citizens to prefer, and countries to follow.

The largest democracy in the world, India with the lengthiest constitution has tried and to an extent, successfully achieved incorporating the framework to be a functional democracy. It is a parliamentary democratic republic where the President is head of the state and the Prime minister is head of the government. It works on the functioning of three bodies, namely legislative, executive, and judiciary. By including the principles of a sovereign, socialist, secular and democratic republic, and undertaking the guidelines to establish equality, liberty and justice, in the preamble itself, India shows true dedication to achieving the ideal.

It has formed a structure that allows people to enjoy their rights, fight against discrimination or any other form of suppression, and protect their rights as well. The ban on all and any form of discrimination, an independent judiciary, governmental accountability to its citizens, freedom of media and press, and secular values are some common values shared by all types of democracies.

Across the world, countries have tried rooting their constitution with the principles of democracy. However, the reality is different. Even though elections are conducted everywhere, mostly, they lack freedom of choice and fairness. Even in the world’s greatest democracies, there are challenges like political instability, suppression of dissent, corruption , and power dynamics polluting the political sphere and making it unjust for the citizens. Despite the consensus on democracy as the best form of government, the journey to achieve true democracy is both painstaking and tiresome. 

Did you know: Countries like Singapore, Peru, and Brazil have compulsory voting?

Must Read: Democracy and Diversity Class 10 Notes

Democracy is a process through which the government of a country is elected by and for the people.

Yes, India is a democratic country and also holds the title of the world’s largest democracy.

Direct and Representative Democracy are the two major types of Democracy.

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Moving On Up Out of Poverty: What Does Democracy Have to Do with it?

What is the relationship between governance and poverty? Do democracies eliminate poverty more effectively than authoritarian regimes? This working paper from Stanford University’s Centre on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law suggests that the obstacles to the elimination of poverty are largely political. Poverty is generated and reproduced by power disparity and abuse. The enduring reduction of poverty requires a broad context of good governance, beyond the narrow arena of free and fair elections.

The deepest root cause of development failure is bad governance – the inability or unwillingness to apply public resources effectively to generate public goods. Good governance involves the capacity and commitment to act in pursuit of the public good, transparency, accountability, citizen participation and the rule of law. Bad governance prevents the accumulation of the financial, physical, social and political capital necessary for development.

Democracy should provide a corrective to bad governance by holding corrupt, unresponsive or ineffectual leaders to account and enabling citizens to participate in making policy. The evidence on the relationship between democracy and development is ambiguous, however. While authoritarian rule offers poor prospects for sustained poverty reduction, democracy does not offer any guarantee of good governance.

The effectiveness of democracy in reducing poverty depends to a great extent on the type and degree of democracy. Democracy can be seen as having three dimensions: electoral competition, civil liberties and responsible and accountable government. The priorities for democratic good governance are:

• Free and fair elections for vertical accountability and democratic responsiveness.
• Democratic political parties. Even where elections are free and fair, political parties themselves may be autocratic, corrupt and hierarchical.
• Independent and effective judicial systems to enforce basic constitutional principles and rights.
• Comprehensive systems of horizontal accountability, including courts, parliamentary oversight, audit agencies, ombudsmen and human rights commissions.
• Pluralistic, open and resourceful civil societies, free to organise and not dominated by NGOs representing narrow constituencies.

Where governance is poor in democracies and quasi-democracies, political parties are a major part of the problem. Work with political parties must be ongoing, integral and sustained:

• Party assistance programmes should focus on five objectives: organisational development, electoral mobilisation, governance, internal democratisation and reforming party and campaign finance.
• Systems of partial public funding for parties and guaranteed media access for campaigns can help to level the electoral playing field.
• Political parties will not be strengthened by party assistance alone. Interest groups and NGOs can be supported to help political parties engage with societal interests.
• Civil society activists can be given training if they opt to enter the arena of party and electoral politics.

Poverty in India Essay for Students and Children

500+ words essay on poverty in india.

Poverty refers to a situation in which a person remain underprivileged from the basic necessities of life. In addition, the person does not have an inadequate supply of food, shelter, and clothes. In India, most of the people who are suffering from poverty cannot afford to pay for a single meal a day. Also, they sleep on the roadside; wear dirty old clothes. In addition, they do not get proper healthy and nutritious food, neither medicine nor any other necessary thing.

Causes of Poverty

The rate of poverty in India is increasing because of the increase in the urban population. The rural people are migrating to cities to find better employment. Most of these people find an underpaid job or an activity that pays only for their food. Most importantly, around crores of urban people are below the poverty line and many of the people are on the borderline of poverty.

Besides, a huge number of people live in low-lying areas or slums. These people are mostly illiterate and in spite of efforts their condition remains the same and there is no satisfactory result.

Furthermore, there are many reasons that we can say are the major cause of poverty in India. These causes include corruption, growing population, poor agriculture , the wide gap of rich and poor, old customs, illiteracy, unemployment and few more. A large section of people are engaged in an agricultural activity but the activity pays very less in comparison to the work done by employees.

Also, more population needs more food, houses and money and in the lack of these facilities the poverty grows very quickly. In addition, being extra poor and extra rich also widens the gap between the rich and poor.

Moreover, the rich are growing richer and the poor are getting poorer creating an economic gap that is difficult to fill up.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Effects of Poverty

It affects people living in a lot of ways. Also, it has various effects that include illiteracy, reduced nutrition and diet, poor housing, child labor, unemployment , poor hygiene and lifestyle, and feminization of poverty, etc. Besides, this poor people cannot afford a healthy and balanced diet, nice clothes, proper education , a stable and clean house, etc. because all these facilities require money and they don’t even have money to feed two meals a day then how can they afford to pay for these facilities.

The Solutions for Ending Poverty

For solving the problem of poverty it is necessary for us to act quickly and correctly. Some of the ways of solving these problems are to provide proper facilities to farmers . So, that they can make agriculture profitable and do not migrate to cities in search of employment.

Also, illiterate people should be given the required training so that they can live a better life. To check the rising population, family planning should be followed. Besides, measures should be taken to end corruption, so that we can deal with the gap between rich and poor.

In conclusion, poverty is not the problem of a person but of the whole nation. Also, it should be deal with on an urgent basis by the implementation of effective measures. In addition, eradication of poverty has become necessary for the sustainable and inclusive growth of people, society, country, and economy .

FAQs about Poverty in India Essay

Q.1 List some ways to end poverty in India. A.1 Some ways to end poverty in India are:

• Develop a national poverty reduction plan
• Equal access to healthcare and education
• Sanitation facility
• Food, water, shelter, and clothing facility
• Enhance economic growth with targeted action

Q.2 Which is the poorest state in India? A.2 Chhattisgarh is the poorest state of the country.

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• > Indian Democracy
• > DEMOCRACY AND POVERTY IN INDIA

Book contents

• Frontmatter
• List of Contributors
• Introduction DEMOCRATIC POLITICS IN INDIA: CONCEPTS, CHALLENGES AND DEBATES
• 1 RECONSTRUCTING DEMOCRATIC CONCERNS IN INDIA
• 2 ARE WE READY FOR DEMOCRACY? A FEW OBSERVATIONS
• 3 DEMOCRACY AND POVERTY IN INDIA
• 4 DEMOCRACY AND FEDERALISM IN INDIA: TWO EPISODES AND A SET OF QUESTIONS
• 5 INDIA'S COALITION FUTURE?
• 6 HOW DEMOCRATIC IS OUR PARLIAMENT? ELITE REPRESENTATION AND FUNCTIONAL EFFICIENCY OF LOK SABHA
• 7 DEMOCRACY'S JANUS FACE: A REVIEW OF ELECTIONS IN POST-INDEPENDENCE INDIA
• 8 THE NATURE OF THE OPPOSITION IN INDIA'S PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY
• 9 RESTYLING DEMOCRACY? MAINSTREAM MEDIA AND PUBLIC SPACE VIS-À-VIS INDIAN TELEVISION
• 10 THE POOR WORKING WOMEN: THE ACHILLES HEEL OF INDIAN DEMOCRACY – A PROFILE OF THE MAIDSERVANT FROM THE BUSTEES OF KOLKATA
• 11 HOW IS DEMOCRACY IN SOUTH ASIA? A COMPARISON OF THE ELITE AND THE MASS ATTITUDES

3 - DEMOCRACY AND POVERTY IN INDIA

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 March 2012

The present paper is an attempt to discuss the paradox that is critical to making sense of ‘democratic India’ or democracy in India and lies at the heart of the radical democratic enterprise in the country. Simply stated, the paradox of Indian democracy lies is the continued coexistence of democracy and poverty in India since independence. Or to state it more carefully, the paradox involves the continued existence of electoral democracy with mass participation, along with mass poverty. This chapter attempts to develop an explanatory framework that gives us a sense of the mechanism that makes this paradox possible and allows us to understand the changes over time and differences across the various states in the relationship of democracy with poverty.

The paper includes two parts. In the first part, it specifies the meaning of the two crucial terms – democracy and poverty, and defends the claim that their coexistence is indeed a paradox, that there is something to be surprised about their being together. It sketches a simple model of why we should expect electoral democracy with mass participation to expend its principal energy and resources in reducing mass poverty. It then goes on to suggest that in the case of India, the paradox is deeper than what is thought of, for some of the most common reasons for which democracies do not attend to poverty do not apply in the case of India.

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• DEMOCRACY AND POVERTY IN INDIA
• By Yogendra Yadav , Centre for the Study of Developing Societies, New Delhi.
• Edited by M. Manisha , Sharmila Deb
• Book: Indian Democracy
• Online publication: 05 March 2012
• Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.7135/UPO9781843318132.005

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Democracy and Poverty: A Lesson from Mongolia

Subscribe to the center for asia policy studies bulletin, nyamosor tuya nyamosor tuya visiting fellow - foreign policy , center for asia policy studies.

April 9, 2013

Later this month, Mongolia will host the 7 th ministerial conference of the Community of Democracies (CD), an intergovernmental forum of democracies formed in 2000 at the initiative of Bronislaw Geremek of Poland and Madeleine Albright of the United States. Several civil society events will accompany it.

The CD was launched at a conference in Warsaw in 2000, and its goals were announced in the Warsaw Declaration: strengthening democratic values and institutions, protecting human rights, and promoting civil society. The effort was to be undertaken both at the national level, by supporting one another in these endeavors, and at the global level through collaboration on democracy-related issues in international and regional institutions. The Warsaw Declaration also emphasized the interdependence between peace, development, human rights and democracy.

After 2000, however, despite a sustained schedule of meetings and statements, the CD never really took off. Democracy’s progress worldwide had slowed in subsequent years, as noted in a number of surveys, including one by Freedom House. Celebrating its 10 th anniversary in Krakow in 2010, the CD acknowledged this state of affairs and through its Act of Recommitment to the Warsaw Declaration pledged to intensify its efforts to transform itself “into a unique forum for the world’s democracies to promote and strengthen democracy on a global basis.” To meet this objective, the CD began to retool itself by creating a permanent secretariat, launching a partnership initiative that focuses on assistance to specific countries and, on top of civil society, bringing young people, businesses, and parliamentarians into its dialogue on democracy.

The April 2013 conference in Ulaanbaatar will be an occasion for the CD to further reinvigorate its agenda. Mongolia, which currently holds the CD presidency, offers a number of lessons to offer that could contribute to the organization’s recommitment to its objectives, especially emphasis on the interdependence between poverty, development and democracy. This emphasis is important both as an immediate goal for the host country and as a larger goal for the CD as a whole.

The case of Mongolia on poverty and democracy is instructive. The country started transitioning to democracy over twenty years ago and, for almost as long, the rate of poverty has stood at 30 percent and above. In the 1990s, much of it could be attributed to the disruptions caused by changes in its political and economic system. Harsh weather has been an intermittent factor, too. But no significant progress has been registered in later years, when the economy has grown at an annual average of 9 percent in the past decade. The latest available figure (2011) shows that poverty still stands at 29.8 percent, despite the double-digit economic growth in the past two years. The gap between poor and rich has continued to grow, and infrastructure has languished in a chronically decrepit state. Corruption, on the other hand, has continued to increase. Between 1999 and 2011, while the economy was growing, the country’s corruption ranking has managed to drop from a place where it was comfortably ahead of some of its fellow post-communist countries in Europe to a dismal 120th place out of some 180 countries surveyed by Transparency International. The implications for democracy were grave: most reforms stalled, vote buying became a serious concern, and public trust in the institutions of democracy was shaken. In a survey conducted in June 2012, over 80 percent of respondents believed that government policies were “always” or “often” failing to solve their concerns, chief among them unemployment and poverty.

The lesson to be drawn from this experience is that, early on in the transition process, new democracies should put economic liberty and transparency on a par with other democratic values such as regular elections, rule of law, human rights, freedom of association and freedom of speech. Otherwise, a callous and corrupt government, sometimes voted in through dubiously “free and fair” elections, can use the trappings and rhetoric of democracy as a façade while behind the scenes they engage in rent-seeking practices that can lead to a systemic entrenchment of corruption. In such a system political power is used for economic gain and economic gain is used for buying political influence. Few or no dividends go to the general populace. This results in persistent poverty among a large percentage of the population coupled with poor social services. Public enthusiasm or support for democracy wanes, democracy is eroded, therefore human rights are violated, and eventually democracy breaks down. Such scenarios are an early and real threat to democracy because the impoverished populace does not have the necessary tools―such as education or access to information―to fight back and, in most cases, is simply unfamiliar with the concept of demanding government accountability and responsiveness.

Early on, the CD emphasized this problem by stating in Warsaw that eradication of poverty is an “essential contributing factor to the promotion and preservation of democratic development” (2000). This emphasis should now be renewed. To do so, recommitment to the concept of interdependence between democracy and poverty found in the Santiago Commitment (2005) is essential. The Commitment stressed that democracy cannot be sustained without persistent efforts to eliminate extreme poverty and, vice versa, that the strengthening of democratic governance was “an essential component” of the efforts to alleviate poverty. Rooting out corruption that “corrodes democracy,” as stated in Warsaw, is a central element of these efforts, and this stance was reaffirmed in the Krakow Plan for Democracy (2010). Poverty is as much a threat to a democracy as poor institutions in that it deprives people of their political voice preventing them from holding their governments accountable and responsive, and eroding public trust in the emerging institutions of democracy. The CD’s Bamako Consensus (2007) addressed the issue of public trust: “persistent inequality and poverty can lead to low public trust in political institutions and vulnerability to undemocratic practices both of which are threats to democracy.” Poverty is also an assault on human dignity which is why the Bamako Consensus also emphasized that democracy, development and human rights were mutually reinforcing.

This body of reasoning serves as a good foundation for the CD to contribute to the ongoing global debate on the post-2015 development agenda. This debate presents the CD with an opportunity to pursue its position that eradication of poverty and the consolidation of democracy are interdependent. The thematic session on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that is planned for the CD’s meetings in Ulaanbaatar could therefore be seized as an occasion to launch substantive discussions on collaboration, in the coming years, with international organizations and civil society on ways to incorporate democratic governance in the post-2015 development agenda, or mainstream anti-corruption efforts into it, and ensure that this agenda adopts a human rights-based approach, addresses inequality and promotes social inclusion. Discussions could revolve around the issues raised in papers and notes by UN bodies and agencies and other actors, especially civil society, that call for encompassing human rights, democracy and good governance in an inclusive development agenda focused on poverty eradication. The ideas expressed at the global consultation on governance and the post-2015 framework could also be taken up.

The experience of Mongolia could also be looked at. Mongolia is one of two countries that have voluntarily added a ninth goal to its MDGs: Strengthen Human Rights and Foster Democratic Governance . While a welcome initiative, Mongolia’s MDG 9 has not been a successful undertaking either in terms of its design and implementation; one of its targets, “zero tolerance for corruption,” has been, for too long, an embarrassing slogan given the deteriorating realities on the ground. The initiative did not target such central principles of democratic governance as government accountability, transparency and participation. Neither has the mutually reinforcing nature of the goals to reduce poverty, promote gender equality and improve governance been duly highlighted in the national MDGs framework. Mongolia’s case strongly suggests that the design of governance goals and the methodology of assessing and monitoring their progress should be given careful consideration. The country’s experience also suggests that it is important for national leaders in new democracies to fully embrace and own the goals and targets of poverty reduction and democratic governance — and to lead. And they should be held accountable for the failures in the implementation.

The impending Community of Democracy discussions in Ulaanbaatar will provide Mongolian leaders both in government and in civil society with an opportunity to reflect on the current status of the country’s MDGs on poverty reduction and democratic governance and commit to their acceleration. It should be noted that the latest poverty figure shows a decrease―29 percent in 2011 versus 39 percent in 2010―but it is yet to be determined if this is attributable to government’s untargeted cash handouts of the past three years, or whether it points to a trend.  Whichever the case, sustaining economic growth and expanding the opportunities offered by it, especially by reducing youth unemployment, will be essential if the country is to meet its goal of reducing poverty to 18 percent by 2015. The discussion will also help the thinking on the best ways to incorporate the “unfinished business,” or any unmet MDGs, into the country’s post-MDGs goals in a way that is mindful of the importance of the wider governance context for any success in the key areas of poverty, gender equality and environment.

After years of stalled reform that threatened to jeopardize the country’s democratic gains, it appears that the Mongolian government is now more willing to tackle its outstanding governance issues. It has laid out its plans to reform the civil service, judiciary and police, the institutions most frequently cited in past surveys as the most corrupt; wider policy deliberation and citizen feedback and participation are encouraged, including through the use of new technologies; democracy education is being debated; efforts to address corruption have been stepped up and a more robust national strategy to combat it is in the works. A recent survey showed a slight increase in the level of confidence that people place in the ability of the country’s anti-corruption agency to tackle the issue. In a promising sign, in a single year, the country moved up 26 places in its ranking of the Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index (the effect of changes in methodology and lesser number of countries surveyed is unclear). The government has also expressed its intent to join the Open Government Partnership (OGP), a multilateral transparency initiative involving governments and civil society. Its OGP Action Plan is scheduled to be presented later this month.

The government’s commitment to accountability and transparency will be put to the test by its handling of the case of a former finance minister, whose failure to disclose his offshore company and a secret Swiss bank account, holding $1 million at one time, was brought to light last week by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ).

If sustained, reform should improve government effectiveness and create an enabling governance environment for focusing on poverty eradication which should remain the government’s first priority. In the years ahead, the country’s significant extractive wealth will also have to be managed in an exemplary way so that its benefits go to the entire population in an equitable way. The CD’s position that eradication of poverty is essential for a healthy democracy should serve as a guiding principle for the Mongolian government for it to regain public trust and produce outcomes that ensure prosperity, justice and security for the people.

Since the next CD ministerial will take place in 2015, only a couple of months removed from the global gathering on development, the Ulaanbaatar CD ministerial is an opportunity for democracies to start working together to include the democratic principles of accountability, transparency and participation into the post-2015 poverty eradication agenda. A reaffirmation of the CD’s belief in the mutually reinforcing nature of democracy and development can also help re-shape the debate in Mongolia in a way that integrates eradication of poverty, equity and social justice into the broader project of democracy.

Northeast Asia

Foreign Policy

Asia & the Pacific Central Asia Northeast Asia

Center for Asia Policy Studies

Nariman Moustafa

October 20, 2023

April 5, 2023

Sarah E. Mendelson

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NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Social Science Civics Chapter 2 What is Democracy? Why Democracy?

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1. 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 A: People who do not accept the country’s official religion do not have a right to vote. (b) Country B: The same party has been winning elections for the last twenty years. (c) Country C: Ruling party has lost in the last three elections. (d) Country D: There is no independent election commission. Answer: (a) Undemocratic (b) Not sure (c) Democratic (d) Undemocratic

2. 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. Answer: (a) Undemocratic (b) Democratic (c) Undemocratic (d) Undemocratic

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3. Which of these is not a good argument in favour of democracy? Why? (a) People feel free and equal in a democracy. (b) Democracies resolve conflict in a better way than others. (c) Democratic government is more accountable to the people. (d) Democracies are more prosperous than others. Answer: (d) Democracies are more prosperous than others. This is not a good agreement as the prosperity of a country cannot be determined through its form of government but through its economic condition. For example, a democratic country like India is still a developing country, while a country following monarchy rule is economically strong.

Page No: 38

4. Each of these statements contains a democratic and undemocratic element. Write out the two separately for each statement. (a) A minister said that some laws have to be passed by the parliament in order to conform to the regulations decided by the World Trade Organisation (WTO). (b) The Election Commission ordered re-polling in a constituency where large-scale rigging was reported. (c) Women’s representation in the parliament has barely reached 10 percent. This led women’s organisations to demand one-third seats for women. Answer: (a) Democratic: Passing of the laws by the Parliament. Undemocratic: Conforming to the regulations decided by the World Trade Organisation. (b) Democratic: The order to re-poll by the Election Commission. Undemocratic: large scale rigging was reported (c) Democratic: Demand by Women’s Organisation to reserve one-third seats for women. Undemocratic: Women’s representation in parliament is less than 10 percent.

5. Which of these is not a valid reason for arguing that there is a lesser possibility of famine in a democratic country? (a) Opposition parties can draw attention to hunger and starvation. (b) Free press can report suffering from famine in different parts of the country. (c) Government fears its defeat in the next elections. (d) People are free to believe in and practice any religion. Answer: (d) “People are free to believe in and practise any religion” is not a valid reason because there are lesser chances for famine to take place in a democratic country. This is because practicing of religion is not at all related to famine.

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 needs. Which of these is not a democratic method? (a) Filing a case in the courts claiming that water is part of the right to life. (b) Boycotting the next elections to give a message to all parties. (c) Organising public meetings against the government’s policies. (d) Paying money to government officials to get water. Answer: (d) Paying money to government officials to get water is an undemocratic method.

7. Write a response to the following arguments against democracy. (a) Army is the most disciplined and corruption-free organisation in the country. Therefore the army should rule the country. (b) Rule of the majority means the rule of ignorant people. What we need is the rule of the wise, even if they are in small numbers. (c) If we want religious leaders to guide us in spiritual matters, why not invite them to guide us in politics as well. The country should be ruled by religious leaders. Answer: (a) Though the army the most disciplined and corruption-free organisation in the country, however, it cannot be justified that they should rule the country. Primarily, because they do not form a democratic government i.e. are not elected by the people. Secondarily, people will not be allowed to voice their opinion or expression as all their fundamentals rights would be curtailed. Also, there would be no assurance that the army cannot turn into a ruthful dictator at any point of their rule, making the life of the people difficult. For example, the people of Chile suffered under the rule of General Augusto Pinochet.

(b) Such a thing would be against the principle of the Universal Adult Franchise, wherein every person above the age of 18 yrs in our country irrespective of religion, caste, sex, socio-economic background, etc. has the right to vote. Everyone has the right to participate equally in the formation of the government. Therefore ignoring some sections of society would be unfair. Moreover, wise men need not be necessarily good administrators.

(c) Those who say that the country should be ruled by religious leaders are making a very risky statement. Because in a multi-religious country bringing religion into politics can cause serious conflict among the people. Moreover, religious leaders can bring trouble to the country due to their mutual conflicts of ideologies. Besides, many even do not have any experience in administration. Thus, it is very necessary for them to run their own religious institutions and need not meddle in the political affairs of the country.

8. Are the following statements in keeping with democracy as a value? Why? (a) Father to daughter: I don’t want to hear your opinion about your marriage. In our family children marry where the parents tell them to. (b) Teacher to student: Don’t disturb my concentration by asking me questions in the classroom. (c) Employee to the officer: Our working hours must be reduced according to the law. Answer: (a) The statement made is an undemocratic statement as the girl is being denied as an opportunity to voice her opinion and choose her partner. As per our Constitution, every citizen who is 18 or above has the right to marry according to his/her choice.

(b) The statement made is undemocratic as the student is being denied the right to ask questions/clear his doubts. The best the teacher can do is to ask the student to ask his query at the end of the lecture; however, stopping him from doing so is incorrect.

(c) The statement made is a democratic statement because here the employees are asking for their fundamental rights. Within the norms of the company, the employees are always entitled to ask or request their office for something.

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 a loan from international agencies. One of the conditions for the given 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 percent people of the country. (d) Several organisations have given a call for peaceful demonstrations and nationwide strikes in the country to oppose these policies. The 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. Answer: (a) Two important features of democracy are regular elections and universal adult franchise.

(b) Undemocratic: because it is undemocratic action to reduce expenses at the cost of the people.

(c) The national language can be a single language because such a concept will bring about national integrity but other languages also should be encouraged to cultivate in their respective regions.

(d) Democracy provides people the right to strike or the right to free speech and demonstrations.

(e) A very important part of democracy is the freedom of the press. Therefore, the total control of media shows that there is no freedom of speech and expression and the right to speak against the government. Thus, though the country is democratic in some manners, it is also undemocratic in some ways.

10. Write an essay on ‘Democracy and Poverty’ using the information given in this report but using examples from India. Answer: Democracy and poverty have been inextricably linked in India ever since her birth. The political independence of our country had been achieved through the mass participation of the rural poor in the national movement. However, and unfortunately, since then this rural poor mass of the Indian population has seen its influence shrink in national politics.

A decade by decade, India has cultivated its resources and added to its national financial wealth, the rich have grown richer, and the poor have grown abysmally poorer. We have the distinction of being the largest democracy in the world, but we are also one of the world’s poorest countries, with gaping economic cleavages within our society.

The inequality of income is a concern that gets reflected directly in the operation of the democratic process of our republic. Research has firmly established the fact that though the majority of Indian voters come from the rural Indian hinterland, their influence on their elected representatives and on the whole, on the process of national policymaking is shrinking with each passing year. On the other hand, the richer sections of our society, though they do not necessarily vote or have any discernible concern for their civic responsibilities, exercise leverage on the policymaking in this country grossly disproportionate to their actual size in the population.

Moreover, the culture of corporate funding of political parties has fast spawned its offspring in the realms of the government establishment. It has made political parties and their leaders less dependent on their actual electorate and has allowed them to ignore the real concerns of the public like agrarian reforms, fine-tuning of the Public Distribution System, agricultural subsidies, and educational reforms.

To encapsulate, as we take pride in us being the largest democracy in the world, it is also necessary to recognise and act on the fact that the phenomenon of gross economic inequalities is putting a major limitation on its workability.

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Write an essay on 'Democracy and Poverty 'using the examples from India.

A true democracy is one where there is no poverty. But this has not been achieved by and democratic nation including India.

The weaknesses in the democracy of India:

• The existence of corruption and lack of accountability in public institution weakens the democracy.

• Lack of transparency in agendas and funding of political parties.

• Though there are laws to put control of corruption, yet there is a lack of implementation

• The citizens in India are not motivated towards taking part in election, i.e. casting of votes. The election is a key feature of the democracy and abstaining from voting the citizens run away from their duties.

• Even if the people cast their votes, they remain unaware of the candidates' profile, which reduces the accountability of the contestants.

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9th Class Social Science What is Democracy? Why Democracy?

Question_answer 1) in 2004, a report published in usa pointed to the increasing inequalities in that country. inequalities in income reflected in the participation of people in democracy. it also shaped their abilities to influence the decisions taken by the government. the report highlighted that   •if an average black family earns $ 100 then the income of average white family is $ 162. a white family has twelve times more wealth than the average black family.   •in a president's election nearly 9 out of 10 individuals in families with income over $ 75.000 have voted. these people are the top 20% of the population in terms of their income. on the other hand only 5 people out of 10 from families with income less than $ 15,000 have voted. they are the bottom 20% of the population in terms of their income.   •about 95% contribution to the political parties comes from the rich. this gives them opportunity to express their opinions and concerns, which is not available to most citizens.   •as poor sections participate less in politics, the government does not listen to their concerns - coming out of poverty, getting job, education, health care and housing for them. politicians hear most regularly about the concerns of business persons and the rich.   write an essay on 'democracy and poverty' using the information given in this report by using examples from india. most newspapers have an editorial page. on that page, the newspaper publishes its own opinions about current affairs. the paper also publishes the views of other writers and intellectuals and letters written by the readers. follow any one newspaper for one month and collect editorials, articles and letters on that page that have anything to do with democracy. classify these into the following categories   •constitutional and legal aspects of democracy   •citizens' rights   •electoral and party politics   •criticism of democracy  .

There is no denying the (act that poverty has a direct and deep impact a democracy. Modern democracy is a form of government run by the rich section of society. The rich control the media and use it for their own benefit. Influence of the rich over politics is clearly visible in the countries like England, USA and India. In India, only rich can contest the election. The of poor people are bought and sold. The poor cannot fight elections against the rich and get elected.   As a result, the rich influence the government when it takes decisions about the policies. The government formed by the different politicians pays much attention to the interests of the business class and rich sections of the society. As poor people participate less in our Parliamentary democracy, their interests, viz, education, employment, healthcare, housing problems etc are neglected.   Our government has taken many Welfare Scheme like Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The Swarna Jayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY), Indira Awaas Yajona (IAY) etc. But their implementation is far from satisfactory. Like USA and in India different political parties pay more attention to the concerns of the rich who contribute most of their funds.  

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NCERT solutions for Class 9 Social Science (Democratic Politics 1) chapter 1 - What is Democracy? 1 Why Democracy? [Latest edition]

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Solutions for chapter 1: what is democracy 1 why democracy.

Below listed, you can find solutions for Chapter 1 of CBSE NCERT for Class 9 Social Science (Democratic Politics 1).

NCERT solutions for Class 9 Social Science (Democratic Politics 1) Chapter 1 What is Democracy? 1 Why Democracy? Exercise [Pages 37 - 39]

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 A: People who do not accept the country’s official religion do not have a right to vote (b) Country B: The same party has been winning elections for the last twenty years. (c) Country C: Ruling party has lost in the last three elections (d) Country D: There is no independent election commission.

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.

Which of these is not a good argument in favour of democracy? Why? (a) People feel free and equal in a democracy (b) Democracies resolve conflict in a better way than others (c) Democratic government is more accountable to the people (d) Democracies are more prosperous than others

Each of these statements contains a democratic and an undemocratic element. Write out the two separately for each statement. (a) A minister said that some laws have to be passed by the parliament in order to conform to the regulations decided by the World Trade Organisation. (b) The Election Commission ordered re-polling in a constituency where large scale rigging was reported. (c) Women’s representation in the parliament has never reached 10 per cent. This led women’s organisations to demand one-third seats for women.

Which of these is not a valid reason for arguing that there is a lesser possibility of famine in a democratic country? (a) Opposition parties can draw attention to hunger and starvation. (b) Free press can report suffering from famine in different parts of the country. (c) Government fears its defeat in the next elections. (d) People are free to believe in and practise any religion.

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? (a) Filing a case in the courts claiming that water is part of right to life. (b) Boycotting the next elections to give a message to all parties. (c) Organising public meetings against government’s policies. (d) Paying money to government officials to get water.

Write a response to the following arguments against democracy. (a) Army is the most disciplined and corruption-free organisation in the country. Therefore army should rule the country. (b) Rule of the majority means the rule of ignorant people. What we need is the rule of the wise, even if they are in small numbers. (c) If we want religious leaders to guide us in spiritual matters, why not invite them to guide us in politics as well. The country should be ruled by religious leaders.

Is the following statement in keeping with democracy as a value? Why?

Father to daughter: I don’t want to hear your opinion about your marriage. In our family children marry where the parents tell them to.

Teacher to student: Don’t disturb my concentration by asking me questions in the classroom.

Is the following statement in keeping with democracy as a value? Why? Employee to the officer: Our working hours must be reduced according to the law.

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 right to vote Elections are held regularly. (b) The country took loan from international agencies. One of the conditions for given 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 percent people of the country. (d) Several organisations have given a call for peaceful demonstrations and nation wide 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 government’s policies and protests.

Consider the following facts about a country and decide if you would call it a democracy. Give reason to support your decision.

All the citizens of the country have the right to vote Elections are held regularly.

The country took loans from international agencies. One of the conditions for giving loans was that the government would reduce its expenses on education and health.

People speak more than seven languages but education is available only in one language, the language spoken by 52 per cent people of in the country.

Several organisations have given a call for peaceful demonstrations and nationwide strikes in the country to oppose these policies. The government has arrested these leaders.

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 government policies and protests.

In 2004 a report published in USA pointed to the increasing inequalities in that country. Inequalities in income reflected in the participation of people in democracy. It also shaped their abilities to influence the decisions taken by the government. The report highlighted that :

If an average Black family earns $ 100 then the income of average White family is $ 162. A White family has twelve times more wealth than the average Black family.

In a President’s election ‘nearly 9 out of 10 individuals in families with income over $ 75,000 have voted. These people are the top 20% of the population in terms of their income. On the other hand only 5 people out of 10 from families with income less than $ 15,000 have voted. They are the bottom 20% of the population in terms of their income.

About 95% contribution to the political parties comes from the rich. This gives them opportunity to express their opinions and concerns, which is not available to most citizens.

As poor sections participate less in politics, the government does not listen to their concerns − coming out of poverty, getting job, education, health, car and housing for them. Politicians hear most regularly about the concerns of business persons and the rich.

Write an essay on ‘Democracy and Poverty’ using the information given in this report but using examples from India.

NCERT solutions for Class 9 Social Science (Democratic Politics 1) chapter 1 - What is Democracy? 1 Why Democracy?

Shaalaa.com has the CBSE Mathematics Class 9 Social Science (Democratic Politics 1) CBSE solutions in a manner that help students grasp basic concepts better and faster. The detailed, step-by-step solutions will help you understand the concepts better and clarify any confusion. NCERT solutions for Mathematics Class 9 Social Science (Democratic Politics 1) CBSE 1 (What is Democracy? 1 Why Democracy?) include all questions with answers and detailed explanations. This will clear students' doubts about questions and improve their application skills while preparing for board exams.

Further, we at Shaalaa.com provide such solutions so students can prepare for written exams. NCERT textbook solutions can be a core help for self-study and provide excellent self-help guidance for students.

Concepts covered in Class 9 Social Science (Democratic Politics 1) chapter 1 What is Democracy? 1 Why Democracy? are Features of Democracy, Why Democracy, Broader Meanings of Democracy, What is Democracy?.

Using NCERT Class 9 Social Science (Democratic Politics 1) solutions What is Democracy? 1 Why Democracy? exercise by students is an easy way to prepare for the exams, as they involve solutions arranged chapter-wise and also page-wise. The questions involved in NCERT Solutions are essential questions that can be asked in the final exam. Maximum CBSE Class 9 Social Science (Democratic Politics 1) students prefer NCERT Textbook Solutions to score more in exams.

Get the free view of Chapter 1, What is Democracy? 1 Why Democracy? Class 9 Social Science (Democratic Politics 1) additional questions for Mathematics Class 9 Social Science (Democratic Politics 1) CBSE, and you can use Shaalaa.com to keep it handy for your exam preparation.

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NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Civics: Chapter 1 - What is Democracy? Why Democracy? (Social Science)

Check ncert solutions for cbse class 9 civics: chapter 1 -  what is democracy why democracy and prepare for cbse class 9 social science subject. .

Get NCERT Solutions for CBSE Class 9 Civics: Chapter 1 -  What is Democracy? Why Democracy? and prepare for CBSE Class 9 Social Science subject. This chapter is the first chapter of Class 9 Civics subject and it is also one of the most important chapters. 

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Civics: Chapter 1-  What is Democracy? Why Democracy?

1. 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 A: People who do not accept the country’s official religion do not have a right to vote.

b. Country B: The same party has been winning elections for the last twenty years.

c .Country C: Ruling party has lost in the last three elections.

d. Country D: There is no independent election commission.

Country A: Undemocratic Country B: Not sure Country C: Democratic Country D: Undemocratic

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 History (PDF) All Chapters: Social Science

2 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 .

P   Undemocratic Q  Democratic R   Undemocratic S   Undemocratic

3. Which of these is not a good argument in favour of democracy? Why?

a. People feel free and equal in a democracy.

b. Democracies resolve conflict in a better way than others.

c. Democratic government is more accountable to the people.

d. Democracies are more prosperous than others.

Option (d) because democratic countries like India & Sri Lanka are not as prosperous as countries monarchist countries like Saudi Arabia and communist country like China. The prosperity of a country depends on many other factors like the availability of natural resources, policies made by government etc.

4. Each of these statements contains a democratic and an undemocratic element. Write out the two separately for each statement.

a. A minister said that some laws have to be passed by the parliament in order to conform to the regulations decided by the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

b. The Election Commission ordered re-polling in a constituency where large-scale rigging was reported.

c. Women’s representation in the parliament has barely reached 10 per cent. This led women’s organisations to demand one third seats for women.

(a)  Democratic element − some laws have to be passed by the parliament. Undemocratic element − conform to the regulations decided by the World Trade Organisation. (b)  Democratic element − the Election Commission ordered re-polling. Undemocratic element − large scale rigging was reported. (c)  Democratic element − this led to women’s organisations to demand one-third seats for women. Undemocratic element − women’s representation in the parliament has never reached 10 per cent.

5. Which of these is not a valid reason for arguing that there is a lesser possibility of famine in a democratic country?

a. Opposition parties can draw attention to hunger and starvation.

b. Free press can report suffering from famine in different parts of the country.

c .Government fears its defeat in the next elections.

d. People are free to believe in and practise any religion.

Option (d) is not a valid reason it is because practising religion is not related to preventing famine.

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?

a. Filing a case in the courts claiming that water is part of right to life.

b. Boycotting the next elections to give a message to all parties.

c. Organising public meetings against government’s policies.

d. Paying money to government officials to get water.

The method mention in option (d) is not a democratic method because it advocates paying money to government officials and it is not acceptable in a democratic country.

7. Write a response to the following arguments against democracy:

a. Army is the most disciplined and corruption-free organisation in the country. Therefore army should rule the country.

b. Rule of the majority means the rule of ignorant people. What we need is the rule of the wise, even if they are in small numbers.

c. If we want religious leaders to guide us in spiritual matters, why not invite them to guide us in politics as well. The country should be ruled by religious leaders.

(a) The army is well disciplined but it not by the people, from among the people themselves. In a democratic country, the government is formed by the people, for the people and of the people.

(b)It is not necessary that wise people necessarily understand the problems of majority of people & their perspective of life. Most of the people have necessary intelligence to understand rules and regulations.

(c) Religion has nothing to do with politics and there is more probability of conflict between leaders from different relogion.

8. Are the following statements in keeping with democracy as a value? Why?

a. Father to daughter: I don’t want to hear your opinion about your marriage. In our family children marry where the parents tell them to.

b. Teacher to student: Don’t disturb my concentration by asking me questions in the classroom.

c. Employee to the officer: Our working hours must be reduced according to the law.

Statement (a) and (b) are are undemocratic. In (a), the girl is denied to decide her own life. In (b), the students is denied to clear his doubts by asking questions.  Statement (c) is democratic, as rules are being followed for the benefits of the person. 

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 right to vote. Elections are held regularly.

b. The country took loan 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 percent people of that country.

d. Several organisations have given a call for peaceful demonstrations and nation wide 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 government’s policies and protests.

Answer: 

a. It is a democracy as citizens are allowed to vote and choose their government. b. It is undemocratic as country seems to be under economic penalties and it means people of the country are not free to take economic decisions. c. It is undemocratic as half of the population of country can't have proper education as they don't have access to edcation in the language they understand.  d. It is undemocratic. In  a democratic country, individuals have right to assemble and demonstrate peacefully. e. It is undemocratic because government might suppress people's opinion through censorship. 

10. In 2004 a report published in USA pointed to the increasing inequalities in that country. Inequalities in income reflected in the participation of people in democracy. It also shaped their abilities to influence the decisions taken by the government. The report highlighted that:

- If an average Black family earns $ 100 then the income of average White family is $ 162. A White family has twelve times more wealth than the average Black family.

- In a President’s election ‘nearly 9 out of 10 individuals in families with income over $ 75,000 have voted. These people are the top 20% of the population in terms of their income. On the other hand only 5 people out of 10 from families with income less than $ 15,000 have voted. They are the bottom 20% of the population in terms of their income.

- About 95% contribution to the political parties comes from the rich. This gives them opportunity to express their opinions and

concerns, which is not available to most citizens.

- As poor sections participate less in politics, the government does not listen to their concerns – coming out of poverty, getting job, education, health care and housing for them. Politicians hear most regularly about the concerns of business persons and the rich.

Write an essay on ‘Democracy and Poverty’ using the information given in this report but using examples from India.

To be attempted by students as there is no unique answer.

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Write an essay on 'Democracy and Poverty' using the information given in this report but using examples from India.

More from this Exercise

Poverty and Democracy highlights an important complicated relationship between the two. It points out how fundamental rights of democracy are given to the elite section but the poor are still being deprived of. The pitfalls like chronic capitalism, unequal opportunities have widened the gap between the poor and rich. Rich are getting richer while the poor are getting poorer. The rich are influencing the government policies. The social power among the citizens is unbalanced which violate the fundamental principles of democracy. Poverty has become a powerful threat. Political parties are run by the money of the riches. That.s why these parties show apathy towards the needs of the poor. Artificial glitters of the modern industry, skyscrapers cannot hide the prevailing unhygienic dwellings of the poor. Democracy is based on the principle of political equality on recognizing that the poorest and the least educated have the same status as the rich and the educated. Under such biased and pro-rich conditions, a nation can.t be democratic for a long time. Sooner or later it will lead to conflicts for the betterment of democracy.

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Write an essay on 'Democracy and Poverty' using the information given ...

• Political Science
• Primary School

Write an essay on ‘Democracy and Poverty’ using the information given in this report but using examples from India.

essay on ' Democracy and poverty '

Poverty and Democracy highlights an important complicated relationship between the two. It points out how fundamental rights of democracy are given to the elite section but the poor are still being deprived of. The pitfalls like chronic capitalism, unequal opportunities have widened the gap between the poor and rich. Rich are getting richer while the poor are getting poorer. The rich are influencing the government policies. The social power among the citizens is unbalanced which violate the fundamental principles of democracy. Poverty has become a powerful threat. Political parties are run by the money of the riches. That.s why these parties show apathy towards the needs of the poor. Artificial glitters of the modern industry, skyscrapers cannot hide the prevailing unhygienic dwellings of the poor. Democracy is based on the principle of political equality on recognizing that the poorest and the least educated have the same status as the rich and the educated. Under such biased and pro-rich conditions, a nation can.t be democratic for a long time. Sooner or later it will lead to conflicts for the betterment of democracy.

Poverty is a major challenge to Society. ... It is actually that large middle class that generates the wealth and has the political muscle of both number and money to stabilize that society. It is more the middle class that make democracy possible than the revers.

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Explanation:

There is no denying the (act that poverty has a direct and deep impact a democracy. Modern democracy is a form of government run by the rich section of society. The rich control the media and use it for their own benefit. Influence of the rich over politics is clearly visible in the countries like England, USA and India. In India, only rich can contest the election. The of poor people are bought and sold. The poor cannot fight elections against the rich and get elected.   As a result, the rich influence the government when it takes decisions about the policies. The government formed by the different politicians pays much attention to the interests of the business class and rich sections of the society. As poor people participate less in our Parliamentary democracy, their interests, viz, education, employment, healthcare, housing problems etc are neglected.   Our government has taken many Welfare Scheme like Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The Swarna Jayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY), Indira Awaas Yajona (IAY) etc. But their implementation is far from satisfactory. Like USA and in India different political parties pay more attention to the concerns of the rich who contribute most of their funds.  

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