CBSE Class 9 Social Science: What is Democracy? Why is Democracy? NCERT Solutions

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NCERT Solutions PDF Class 9 PDF

This chapter delves into the fundamental concepts of democracy, exploring its definition and the reasons for its importance. The NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Social Science, Democratic Politics – I, Chapter 2, 'What is Democracy? Why is Democracy?', provide clear explanations and step-by-step answers to the exercises. Students will learn to differentiate between democratic and undemocratic practices by analyzing various scenarios. The solutions also address arguments for and against democracy, focusing on aspects like citizen freedom, conflict resolution, accountability, and economic prosperity. By working through these solutions, students will gain a deeper understanding of democratic principles and their application in real-world contexts, aiding in effective exam revision and critical thinking.

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Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 9
SubjectSocial Science
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterPolitical Science (Democratic Politics – I) - What is Democracy Why Democracy

Chapter summary

This chapter focuses on defining democracy and understanding its significance. The NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Social Science, Chapter 2, 'What is Democracy? Why is Democracy?', guide students through classifying countries as democratic or undemocratic based on given information. It also examines arguments for democracy, such as citizen equality, conflict resolution, and government accountability, while critically evaluating the link between democracy and economic prosperity. The solutions help students identify democratic and undemocratic elements within statements and understand why democracy reduces the likelihood of famine.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the core definition and characteristics of a democracy.
  • Differentiate between democratic and undemocratic forms of government.
  • Analyze arguments for and against democracy.
  • Evaluate the relationship between democracy and economic development.
  • Identify democratic and undemocratic elements in political statements.
  • Explain why democracy is considered a better form of government for preventing famines.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Definition of Democracy
  • Characteristics of Democracy
  • Democratic vs. Undemocratic Countries
  • Arguments for Democracy
  • Democracy and Economic Prosperity
  • Democracy and Accountability
  • Democracy and Conflict Resolution
  • Democracy and Famine Prevention
  • Citizen Rights and Freedoms
  • Role of Opposition Parties
  • Role of Free Press
  • International Regulations and Sovereignty

Important topics

  • Identifying Democratic Features
  • Arguments Supporting Democracy
  • Critique of Democracy's Link to Prosperity
  • Democracy's Role in Preventing Famines
  • Distinguishing Democratic from Undemocratic Practices

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

Based on the following information about four countries, how would you classify each of these countries? Write 'democratic', 'undemocratic', or 'not sure' against each of these:
  1. Country A: People who do not accept the country's official religion do not have a right to vote.
Solution: Country A is classified as undemocratic. In a democracy, all adult citizens have the right to vote, regardless of their religious beliefs. Denying voting rights based on religion violates the fundamental principle of equality and universal suffrage inherent in a democracy.
  1. Country B: The same party has been winning elections for the last twenty years.
Solution: For Country B, the classification is not sure. While it is possible for a party to win elections repeatedly due to popular support, it could also be an indicator of unfair practices or lack of genuine choice for voters. Without more information about the fairness of elections and the presence of opposition, it's difficult to definitively classify it.
  1. Country C: The ruling party has lost in the last three elections.
Solution: Country C is classified as democratic. The fact that the ruling party has lost elections indicates that the people have the power to choose their representatives and can remove a government they are unhappy with. This is a key feature of a democracy.
  1. Country D: There is no independent election commission.
Solution: Country D is classified as undemocratic. An independent election commission is crucial for ensuring free and fair elections, a cornerstone of democracy. Without it, the ruling party can manipulate the electoral process to stay in power, undermining the democratic will of the people.

Question 2

Based on the following information about four countries, how would you classify each of these countries? Write 'democratic', 'undemocratic', or 'not sure' against each of these:
  1. Country P: The parliament cannot pass a law about the army without the consent of the Chief of Army.
Solution: Country P is classified as undemocratic. In a democracy, the elected parliament holds the supreme authority to make laws. If the parliament's power to legislate on important matters like the army is dependent on the consent of a military official, it signifies that the military holds undue influence, which is undemocratic.
  1. Country Q: The parliament cannot pass a law reducing the powers of the judiciary.
Solution: Country Q is classified as undemocratic. While the judiciary should be independent, the parliament in a democracy should have the authority to legislate on the structure and powers of various institutions, including the judiciary, within constitutional limits. If the parliament is restricted from making such laws, it suggests a lack of legislative supremacy or an imbalance of power.
  1. Country R: The country's leaders cannot sign any treaty with another country without taking permission from its neighbouring country.
Solution: For Country R, the classification is not sure. A country's ability to conduct foreign policy independently is a sign of sovereignty. Being required to seek permission from a neighbouring country before signing treaties suggests a significant constraint on its foreign policy, which could indicate a lack of full sovereignty. However, the exact nature of this relationship (e.g., a historical treaty, a protectorate) is unknown, making a definitive classification difficult.
  1. Country S: All the major economic decisions about the country are taken by officials of the central bank, which the ministers cannot change.
Solution: For Country S, the classification is not sure. In a democracy, elected representatives (ministers) are accountable to the people and should have the authority to make or oversee major policy decisions, including economic ones. If unelected central bank officials have unchecked power over major economic decisions that ministers cannot alter, it raises questions about democratic accountability. However, the degree of independence granted to central banks varies, and their role is often to manage monetary policy, not all economic decisions.

Question 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

Solution: Argument (d) 'Democracies are more prosperous than others' is not a good argument in favour of democracy. Economic prosperity depends on a multitude of factors, including the availability of natural resources, the quality of human capital, financial stability, and the geopolitical environment. While a democratic government can contribute to a stable environment conducive to economic growth, it is not the sole determinant. Many non-democratic countries have achieved high levels of economic prosperity, and conversely, some democracies face economic challenges. Therefore, linking democracy directly and solely to prosperity is an oversimplification and not a universally valid argument.

Question 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.

Solution:

Democratic element: The fact that laws must be passed by the parliament is democratic, as it signifies that the legislative body, representing the people, is involved in law-making.

Undemocratic element: The necessity to conform to regulations decided by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) without independent parliamentary deliberation or adaptation can be seen as undemocratic. It suggests that external bodies might dictate laws, potentially undermining the sovereignty of the elected parliament and the will of the people.

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

Solution:

Democratic element: The Election Commission ordering re-polling when large-scale rigging is reported is a democratic action. It upholds the principle of fair elections and ensures that the outcome reflects the genuine choice of the voters.

Undemocratic element: Large-scale rigging itself is highly undemocratic. It involves fraudulent practices to manipulate election results, thereby subverting the democratic process and the will of the people.

(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.

Solution:

Undemocratic element: The fact that women's representation in parliament has historically been very low (never reached 10 per cent) indicates an undemocratic situation, suggesting systemic barriers or inequalities that prevent adequate representation of women.

Democratic element: The demand by women's organisations for one-third seats for women is a democratic action. It represents citizens advocating for greater political participation and equality, seeking to correct an imbalance and make the representative body more inclusive.

Question 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.

Solution: The reason that is not valid for arguing that there is a lesser possibility of famine in a democratic country is (d) People are free to believe in and practise any religion. While freedom of religion is a fundamental right in a democracy, it has no direct bearing on the prevention or occurrence of famine. Famines are primarily caused by factors like food scarcity, poverty, and inadequate distribution systems. Reasons (a), (b), and (c) are valid because opposition parties, a free press, and the fear of electoral defeat all contribute to making democratic governments more responsive and accountable in addressing the needs of their citizens, including preventing starvation.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing correlation with causation when linking democracy and economic prosperity.
  • Overlooking the nuances in classifying countries based on limited information.
  • Failing to distinguish between democratic principles and their imperfect implementation.

Revision tips

  • Focus on the criteria used to classify countries as democratic or undemocratic.
  • Understand the reasoning behind each argument presented for or against democracy.
  • Practice identifying both democratic and undemocratic aspects within given scenarios.
  • Relate the concepts of accountability and citizen freedom to the functioning of democracy.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a democratic country?

Q2. In which scenario would a country likely be classified as undemocratic?

Q3. Why is economic prosperity NOT considered a strong argument in favour of democracy?

Q4. What makes the demand for one-third seats for women in parliament a democratic argument?

Q5. Which of these is a valid reason for arguing that democracy helps prevent famine?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main focus of the NCERT Solutions for 'What is Democracy? Why is Democracy?' for Class 9?

These solutions focus on defining democracy, identifying its characteristics, and understanding why it is considered a preferable form of government by analyzing various arguments and real-world scenarios.

How do these solutions help in classifying countries as democratic or undemocratic?

The solutions provide a framework to analyze information about countries, focusing on aspects like voting rights, election fairness, government accountability, and citizen freedoms to make these classifications.

Are arguments about economic prosperity discussed in these solutions?

Yes, the solutions address the argument that democracies are more prosperous, explaining why this is not always true and that economic prosperity depends on multiple factors.

How do the solutions explain democracy's role in preventing famine?

The solutions highlight that in democracies, opposition parties and a free press can draw attention to hunger, and governments fear electoral defeat, making them more responsive to preventing starvation.

What is the significance of identifying both democratic and undemocratic elements in a statement?

It helps students develop a nuanced understanding of political situations, recognizing that real-world practices may not always perfectly align with democratic ideals.

Important links

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