NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Social Science Chapter 1 – Democracy in the Contemporary World
Page No: 3
1. Why did President Allende address himself mainly to workers? Why were the rich unhappy with him?
Answer
President Allende was a socialist and had taken many several policy decisions to help workers and poor. Thus, he addressed himself mainly to workers.
The rich were unhappy with him due to reform of the educational system, free milk for children and redistribution of land to the landless. He was opposed to foreign companies taking away natural resources like copper from the country.
Page No: 4
1. Did the army have any legal right to arrest the defense minister of the country? Should the army have the power to arrest any citizen?
Answer
No, the army didn't have any legal right to arrest the defense minister of the country It is totally against the law. They also don't have the power to arrest any citizen. The main duty of army is to protect the country from external threats.
Activity
1. Locate and shade Chile on the map. Which state in our country has a shape similar to Chile?
Answer
In our country, Kerala has a shape similar to Chile.
Page No: 6
1. Why was an independent trade union so important in Poland? Why are trade unions necessary?
1. Why did President Allende address himself mainly to workers? Why were the rich unhappy with him?
Answer
President Allende was a socialist and had taken many several policy decisions to help workers and poor. Thus, he addressed himself mainly to workers.
The rich were unhappy with him due to reform of the educational system, free milk for children and redistribution of land to the landless. He was opposed to foreign companies taking away natural resources like copper from the country.
Page No: 4
1. Did the army have any legal right to arrest the defense minister of the country? Should the army have the power to arrest any citizen?
Answer
No, the army didn't have any legal right to arrest the defense minister of the country It is totally against the law. They also don't have the power to arrest any citizen. The main duty of army is to protect the country from external threats.
Activity
1. Locate and shade Chile on the map. Which state in our country has a shape similar to Chile?
Answer
In our country, Kerala has a shape similar to Chile.
Page No: 6
1. Why was an independent trade union so important in Poland? Why are trade unions necessary?
Answer
Poland at that time had only one workers union controlled by the Polish United Workers’ Party. So there was autocratic rule of this party. People could not form independent unions which voiced their grievances. There was no freedom of speech.
Trade unions are necessary as they help in maintaining or improving the conditions of the
workers. They represent the workers’ views and demands to the management and fight for their rights.
Trade unions are necessary as they help in maintaining or improving the conditions of the
workers. They represent the workers’ views and demands to the management and fight for their rights.
Page No: 10
1. Looking at these maps, which period do you find most important in the expansion of democracy. Why?
Answer
The period after 1975 till 2000 AD is the most important period in the expansion of democracy. In this period, most of the countries in Africa became independent and supported democratic governments. The USSR broke up and 15 independent states emerged in which most of them go with democracy. Many colonised countries also gained independence and marches towards democracy.
Page No: 11
1. Why were women given voting rights much later than men in most countries? Why did this not happen in India?
Answer
Many European countries became democratic by the beginning of the twentieth century but women didn't have voting rights because they were being not considered equal. They thought women were not capable of making decisions. They should stay at home, did household works and look after children. Thus, they were given voting rights much later than men.
In India, constitutions makers didn't make any discrimination against women and granted Universal Adult Franchise which gave voting rights to every c above the age of 18.
Page No: 13
1. What should be the policy of the government of India towards the military rulers of Myanmar?
Answer
The Government of India can support Suu Kyi in all international forums and demand her freedom without interfering in the domestic affairs of the government of Myanmar. It must fight for her freedom under Human Rights.
Page No: 14
1. Should there be a world government? If yes, who should elect it? And what powers should it have?
Answer
Yes, there should be a world government. It should have representatives of all the nations and every nation should have equal status. Each nation should send its own representatives, elected by their people. They should have powers to fight for Human Rights and Democracy.
Page No: 15
1. Should the permanent members of the UN give up the power to veto?
Answer
Exercise
1. Which of the following does not lead to the spread of democracy?
(a) Struggle by the people
(b) Invasion by foreign countries
(c) End of colonialism
(d) People’s desire for freedom
► (b) Invasion by foreign countries
2. Which of the following statements 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.
(c) In more and more countries rulers are being elected by the people.
(d) There are no more military dictators in the world.
► (c) In more and more countries rulers are being elected by the people.
Page No: 20
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.
(c) Countries should be treated with respect in proportion to their population.
(d) All countries in the world should be treated equally..
► (d) All countries in the world should be treated equally..(a) The rich countries should have a greater say.
(b) Countries should have a say according to their military power.
(c) Countries should be treated with respect in proportion to their population.
(d) All countries in the world should be treated equally..
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
|
| (a) Chile (b) Nepal (c) Poland (d) Ghana | (i) Freedom from British colonial rule (ii) End of military dictatorship (iii) End of one party rule (iv) King agreed to give up his powers |
Answer
Country
|
Path to Democracy
|
(a) Chile
|
(ii) End of military dictatorship
|
(b) Nepal
|
(iv) King agreed to give up his powers
|
(c) Poland
|
(iii) End of one party rule
|
(d) Ghana
|
(i) Freedom from British colonial rule
|
5. What are the difficulties people face in a non-democratic country? Give answers drawing from the examples given in this chapter.
Answer
The difficulties people face in a non-democratic country are:
→ No freedom to elect their rulers.
→ People can't form organisation or organise protest against the rulers.
→ No freedom of speech and expression.
→ Don't have any say in government policies
→ Civic rights are curtailed.
6. Which freedoms are usually taken away when a democracy is overthrown by the military?
Answer
The freedoms which are taken away when a democracy is overthrown by the military:
→ Freedom of electing their rulers.
→ Freedom of speech, expression and protest against any governmental policies.
→ People can't form political parties or organisations.
7. Which of the following positions can contribute to democracy at the global level? Give reasons for your answer in each case.
a My country gives more money to international institutions. Therefore, I want to be treated with more respect and exercise more power.
b My country may be small or poor. But my voice must be heard with equal respect, because these decisions will affect my country.
c Wealthy nations will have a greater say in international affairs.They cannot let their interests suffer just because they are out numbered by poor nations.
d Big countries like India must have a greater say in international organisations.
Answer
a. If any country gives more money to international institutions and its citizens want more respect and more power, it would not contribute to democracy at the global level. Every country and its citizens enjoy equal status whether it is a poor or a rich country. Equality is the basic principle of democracy.
b. This position totally contributes to democracy at the global level as Democracy give equal right to every person. The wealth and size of a country don't matter in a global democracy.
c. This position does not lead to democracy at the global level because there should be no distinction made between the rich nations and the poor nations. All nations are equal in a Democracy.
d. No, this position can't contribute to democracy because the sizes or the geographical area of a country can't determine the status of a nation in global democracy.
8. Here are three opinions heard in a television debate on the struggle for democracy in Nepal. Which of these do you agree with and why?
Guest 1: India is a democracy. Therefore, the Indian government must support the people of Nepal who are struggling against monarchy and for democracy.
Guest 2: That is a dangerous argument. We would be in the same position as the US was in Iraq. Remember, no outside force can promote democracy.
Guest 3: But why should we bother about the internal affairs of another country? We should be worried about our business interests there, not about democracy.
Answer
We can't totally neglect our neighbours as what doing in their country as it must affect our behaviour also. So in my opinion, Guest 1 is right in some way. We have to adopt some measures that will support the people who are struggling against monarchy and for democracy. Not by using armed forces but by some other cooperations which will not hurt the sentiments of the people. This will also help India in maintaining a good relationship with a democratic country rather than a monarchical rule.
Page No: 21
9. In an imaginary country called Happyland, the people overthrew the foreign ruler and brought back the old royal family. They said: “After all their ancestors were our kings before foreigners started ruling us. It is good that we have one strong ruler, who can help us become rich and powerful”. When someone talked about democracy the wise men said it is a foreign idea. Their struggle was to throw the foreigners and their ideas out of the country. When someone demanded freedom for the media, the elders thought that too much criticism of the ruler would not help them improve their living standards. “After all, the king is so kind and interested in the welfare of all the subjects. Why create problems for him. Don’t we all want to be happy? ”
After reading the above passage, Chaman, Champa and Chandru made the following observations:
Chaman: Happyland is a democratic country because people were able to throw out the foreign rulers and bring back the king.
Champa: Happyland is not a democratic country because people cannot criticise the ruler. The king may be nice and may provide economic prosperity, but a king cannot give a democratic rule.
Chandru: What people need is happiness. So they are willing to allow their new ruler to take decisions for them. If people are happy it must be a democracy.
What is your opinion about each of these statements? What do you think about the form of government in this country?
Answer
Chaman’s statement is incorrect because the overthrowing of a foreign power just amounts to gaining sovereignty.
Champa’s statement is correct. A democracy is a rule of the people. The people should have the right to question their ruler.
Chandru’s statement is incorrect. Happiness of the people is only one factor of a democracy. The people might be happy with the king, but he is not an elected representative.
