question_answer

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 per cent people of that country.

(d) Several organisations have given a call for peaceful demonstrations and nationwide 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) Yes, Universal Adult Franchise and people have the right to exercise their franchise regularly.

(b) No, it is not a completely sovereign democratic country as its policies are being dictated by an external power and not being decided by the people.

(c) No, the majority is being pampered at the expense of the minority,

(d) No, people in a democracy have a right to protest to oppose government policy which affect them adversely.

(e) No, because curbs on the mass media prevent people from freely expressing their views.

The government does not know their problems and cannot take measures to redress them.