CBSE Class 9 Social Science Democracy in Contemporary World NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 9 PDF

This chapter, 'Democracy in the Contemporary World,' from CBSE Class 9 Social Science (Democratic Politics – I), explores the nature and spread of democracy globally. The NCERT Solutions provide clear explanations and answers to key questions about democratic principles, challenges, and its evolution in various countries. Students will understand the factors that promote democracy, such as people's struggles and the end of colonialism, and identify elements that hinder its growth, like foreign invasions. The solutions also touch upon the importance of equal treatment for all countries in international organizations and the difficulties faced by citizens in non-democratic regimes, including lack of freedom, security, and socio-economic equality. These solutions are designed to help students grasp the core concepts and prepare effectively for their examinations by offering detailed insights into the democratic political landscape.

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Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 9
Subject	Social Science
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	Political Science (Democratic Politics – I) - Democracy in Contemporary World

Chapter summary

This chapter focuses on understanding democracy in the context of the modern world. It examines the various paths countries have taken towards establishing or maintaining democratic systems, contrasting them with non-democratic forms of governance. The NCERT Solutions cover the factors influencing the spread of democracy, the principles of democratic international relations, and the challenges faced by citizens in countries lacking democratic freedoms. It aims to provide a foundational understanding of contemporary democratic politics.

Learning outcomes

Understand the factors that contribute to the spread of democracy globally.
Identify the characteristics of democratic and non-democratic countries.
Analyze the challenges faced by citizens in non-democratic regimes.
Explain the principles of democratic treatment in international organizations.
Match countries with the specific democratic paths they have followed.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Spread of Democracy
Factors Hindering Democracy
Elections and Rulers
International Organizations and Democracy
Equality in International Relations
Challenges in Non-Democratic Countries
Freedom of Expression
Political Participation (Elections)
Trade Unions and Non-Democracy
Socio-economic Equality
Democratic Paths of Countries
Comparison of Governance Systems

Important topics

Factors influencing the spread of democracy
Characteristics of non-democratic countries
Principles of democratic international relations
Citizen's difficulties in non-democratic regimes
Role of elections in democracy

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

Which of the following does not lead to the spread of democracy?

(a) Struggle by the people

(b) Invasion by foreign countries

(d) People's desire for freedom

Solution: The correct option is (b) Invasion by foreign countries. The spread of democracy is generally facilitated by internal factors like people's struggles for rights and their desire for freedom, as well as historical processes such as the end of colonialism. Conversely, invasions by foreign countries often lead to political instability, imposition of authoritarian rule, or prolonged conflicts, which typically hinder the establishment and spread of democratic systems.

Question 2

Which of the following statement is true about today's world?

(a) Monarchy as a form of government has vanished.

(b) The relationship between different countries has become more democratic than ever before.

(d) There are no more military dictators in the world.

Solution: The statement that is true about today's world is (c) In more and more countries rulers are being elected by the people. While monarchy has not vanished entirely and international relations still face challenges, a significant global trend is the expansion of democratic governance through elections. Many nations have transitioned towards systems where citizens choose their leaders, although military dictatorships and other non-democratic forms of rule still exist in some parts of the world.

Question 3

Use one of the following statements to complete the sentence: Democracy in the international organisations requires that ...

(a) The rich countries should have a greater say.

(b) Countries should have a say according to their military power.

(d) All countries in the world should be treated equally.

Solution: To complete the sentence, the correct statement is (d) All countries in the world should be treated equally. True democracy, whether within a nation or in international relations, is founded on the principle of equality. This means that every country, regardless of its economic status, military strength, or population size, should have an equal say and be treated with the same respect in international organizations.

Question 4

Based on the information given in this chapter, match the following countries and the path democracy has taken in that country.

Country Path to democracy

Chile
Nepal
Poland
Ghana

Path to democracy

End of one party rule
Military rule and its end
Struggle against foreign domination
Struggle for democracy and restoration of freedom

Solution: Here is the correct matching of countries with the path democracy has taken:

Chile → 2. Military rule and its end
Nepal → 4. Struggle for democracy and restoration of freedom
Poland → 1. End of one party rule
Ghana → 3. Struggle against foreign domination (Note: Ghana's path involved ending colonial rule and establishing a democratic republic, though it faced subsequent challenges.)

This matching reflects the specific historical transitions towards or challenges within democratic systems in these nations.

Question 5

What are the difficulties people face in a non-democratic country?

Solution: In non-democratic countries, people encounter a multitude of severe difficulties that impact their lives significantly. These include:

Lack of Security: Citizens often live under the threat of violence and arbitrary actions by the state. For instance, in countries like Chile under military rule, thousands were reportedly killed.
Suppression of Freedom of Expression: People are not free to voice their opinions or criticize the government. Doing so can lead to severe punishments, creating an atmosphere of fear.
Limited Political Participation: Citizens are denied the right to elect their government or to be elected. Even if a government acts against their well-being, they cannot change it through democratic means like elections.
Intolerance of Opposition: Opposition parties and leaders are not tolerated. In countries like Poland, workers were often prevented from forming independent trade unions, with only government-aligned unions being allowed to survive.
Absence of Socio-economic Equality: Non-democratic regimes often foster deep divisions between privileged and non-privileged classes. This can lead to widespread corruption and limit opportunities for ordinary people, leaving them at the mercy of autocratic rulers or dictators.

These conditions highlight the fundamental lack of rights and freedoms experienced by individuals in non-democratic states.

Common mistakes

Confusing factors that spread democracy with those that hinder it.
Overlooking the importance of equal treatment for all nations in international bodies.
Underestimating the severity of difficulties faced in non-democratic countries.
Incorrectly matching countries to their democratic transitions.

Revision tips

Focus on understanding the 'why' behind each answer, not just memorizing.
Create a table summarizing the democratic paths of different countries mentioned.
Discuss the challenges of non-democratic rule with peers to reinforce understanding.
Review the principles of equality in international organizations.
Pay close attention to the distinction between factors promoting and hindering democracy.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Which of the following is NOT a factor that typically leads to the spread of democracy?

Q2. According to the contemporary world, what is a significant trend regarding governance?

Q3. For democracy to exist in international organizations, what principle should be followed?

Q4. In non-democratic countries, what is a common difficulty faced by citizens regarding expression?

Q5. Which of the following is a characteristic of non-democratic countries mentioned in the text?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of the 'Democracy in the Contemporary World' chapter for Class 9?

This chapter explores how democracy has spread in the world, the challenges it faces, and the principles that should guide international relations to be more democratic.

Which factors help in the spread of democracy according to the NCERT Solutions?

The solutions highlight that people's struggles, the end of colonialism, and the inherent desire for freedom among citizens are key factors that contribute to the spread of democracy.

What are the major difficulties faced by people in non-democratic countries?

People in non-democratic countries often lack security of life, freedom of expression, the right to elect or be elected, and face socio-economic inequality and suppression of opposition.

How should countries be treated in international organizations for democracy to prevail?

For democracy in international organizations, all countries should be treated with equal respect, regardless of their size, power, or population.

Are there still non-democratic countries in the world today?

Yes, the chapter and solutions indicate that while democracy is spreading, non-democratic regimes still exist, presenting various challenges to their citizens.

How do these NCERT Solutions help students prepare for exams?

These solutions provide clear, rewritten answers to all questions, explaining concepts thoroughly and offering insights into democratic and non-democratic systems, aiding in better understanding and exam revision.

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