10th Class Social Science Challenges to Democracy Question Bank

done Activity Based Assignments - Challenges to Democracy Total Questions - 8

• question_answer1)
  Each of these cartoons represents a challenge to democracy. Please describe what that challenge is. Also place it in one of the three categories of challenges.                                                                            [NCERT]
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• question_answer2)

  Case and context	Your description of the challenges for democracy In the situation
  Chile: General Pinochet's government defeated, but military still in control of many institutions.	[Example] Establishing civilian control overall governmental Institutions, holding the first multi-party elections, recalling all political leaders from exile.
  Poland: After the first success of Solidarity, the government imposed martial law and banned solidarity.
  Ghana: Just attained independence, Kwame Nkrumah elected president.
  Myanmar: SuuKyi under house arrest for more than 15 years, army rulers getting global acceptance.
  International Organisations: US as the only super power disregards the UN and takes unilateral action.
  Mexico: Second free election after the defeat of PRI in 2000, defeated candidate alleges rigging.
  China: Communist Party adopts economic reforms but maintains monopoly over political power.
  Pakistan: General Musharraf holds referendum, allegations of fraud in voters' list.
  Iraq: Widespread sectarian violence as the new government fails to establish its authority.
  South Africa: Nelson Mandela retires from active politics, pressure on his successor Mbeki to withdraw some concessions given to White minority
  US, Guantanamo Bay: UN Secretary General calls this a violation of international law. US refuses to respond.
  Saudi Arabia: Women not allowed to take part in public activities, no freedom of religion for minorities.
  Yugoslavia: Ethnic tension between Serbs and Albanians on the rise in the province of Kosovo. Yugoslavia disintegrated.
  Belgium: One round of constitutional change taken place, but the Dutch speakers not satisfied; they want more autonomy.
  Sri Lanka: The peace talks between the government and the LTTE break down, renewed violence.
  US, Civil Rights: Blacks have won equal rights, but are still poor less educated and marginalized.
  Northern Ireland: The civil war has ended but Catholics and Protestants yet to develop trust.
  Nepal: Constituent Assembly about to be elected, unrest in Terai areas, Maoists have not surrendered arms.
  Bolivia: Morales, a supporter of water struggle, becomes Prime Minister, MNCs threaten to leave the country.

   
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• question_answer3)
  Now that you have noted down all these challenges, let us group these together into some broad categories. Given below are some spheres or sites of democratic politics. You may place against each of these the specific challenges that you noted for one or more countries or cartoons In the previous section. In addition to that write one item for India for each of these spheres. In case you find that some challenges do not fit into any of the categories given below, you can create new categories and put some Items under that.                  [NCERT]

  Constitutional design
  Democratic rights
  Working of institutions
  Elections
  Federalism, decentralisation
  Accommodation of diversity
  Political organizations
  Affidavit concerned with politics
  Free and fair election

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• question_answer4)
  Let us group these again, this time by the nature of these challenges as per the classification suggested in the first section. For each of these categories, find at least one example from India as well.                [NCERT]

  Foundational challenge
  Challenge of expansion
  Challenge of deepening

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• question_answer5)
  Now let us think only about India. Think of all the challenges that democracy faces in contemporary India. List those five that should be addressed first of all. The listing should be in order of priority, i.e., the challenge you find most important or pressing should be mentioned at number 1, and so on. Give one example of that challenge and your reasons for assigning it the priority.                                             [NCERT]
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• question_answer6)
  Here is your space for writing your own definition of good democracy.           [NCERT]

  (Write your name here) .................................... 's definition of good democracy (not more than 50 words):

  Features: (use only as many points as you want. Try to compress it in as few points as possible)

  1.	People's Rule
  2.	Free and Fair Election
  3.	Universal Adult Franchise
  4.	Rule of Law Franchise
  5.	Accountable Government
  6.	Enhances Dignity of Citizens
  7.	Accommodates Social Diversities

  How did you like this exercise? Was it enjoyable? Very demanding? A little frustrating? And a little scary? Are you a little resentful that the textbook did not help you in this crucial task? Are you worried that your definition may not be 'correct'? Here then is your last lesson in thinking about democracy; there is no fixed definition of good democracy. A good democracy is what we think it is and what we with to make it. This may sound strange. Yet, think of it: is it democratic for someone to dictate to us? what a good democracy is?
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• question_answer7)

  CASE STUDY: Doctors' absenteeism                                                   [NCERT]

  Challenge: Uttar Pradesh government got a survey done and found out that most of the doctors posted in the rural primary health centers are simply not there They live in a town carry out private practice and visit the village where they are posted only once or twice in the entire month, Villagers have to travel to towns and pay very high fee to private doctors even for common ailments.

  Reform proposals:

  - The government should make it compulsory for the doctors to live in the village where they are posted, otherwise their service should be terminated.

  - District administration and police should carry out surprise raids to check the attendance of the doctors.

  - Village Panchayat should be given the power to write the annual report of the doctor which should be read out in the Gram Sabha meeting.

  - Problems like this can be solved only if Uttar Pradesh is split into several smaller states which can be administrated more efficiently.

   
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• question_answer8)

  CASE STUDY: Political funding                                                                                                       [NCERT]

  Challenge: On an average, every candidate who contested the last Look Sabha elections owned a property of more than Rs. One crore. There is a fear that only wealthy people or those with their support can afford to fight elections. Most of the political parties are dependent on money given by big business houses. The worry is that the role of money in politics will reduce whatever little voice the poor have in our democracy.

  Reform Proposals:

  - The financial accounts of every political party should be made public. These accounts should be examined by government auditors.

  - There should be state funding of elections. Parties should be given some money by the government to meet their election expenditure,

  - Citizens should be encouraged to give more donations to parties and to political workers. Such donations should be exempt from income tax.

   
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