What is Democracy? Why Democracy?

This political science chapter asks two basic questions: what democracy is and why it is preferred over other forms of government. You will begin with a simple definition, that democracy is a form of government in which the rulers are elected by the people, and then refine it with examples from around the world. You will learn its four key features: major decisions are taken by elected leaders, as the case of Pakistan under General Musharraf shows by contrast; elections offer a free and fair choice, unlike in China or Mexico under one party; each adult citizen has one vote with one value; and the government rules within limits set by constitutional law and citizens' rights, unlike Zimbabwe under Robert Mugabe. You will then weigh the arguments against democracy, such as instability, delays and corruption, against the arguments for it: it is more accountable, improves the quality of decision-making, allows mistakes to be corrected, provides a way to deal with differences and enhances the dignity of citizens. Finally, you will explore the broader meaning of democracy.

Detailed Worksheet: What is Democracy? Why Democracy? Section A - Definitions (10 marks) 1. Define democracy in simple words. (2 marks) 2. What is meant by universal adult franchise? (2 marks) 3. What is the rule of law? (2 marks) 4. Distinguish between a democracy and a dictatorship. (2 marks) 5. What is meant by one person, one vote, one value? (2 marks) Section B - Calculations and Applications (15 marks) 6. In a country of 10 crore adults, women were not allowed to vote. If women were 48% of the adults, how many adults could vote? What percentage of adults was denied the vote? (3 marks) 7. In China's National People's Congress of about 3,000 members, suppose all candidates had to be approved by the Communist Party. If 95% of members belonged to the party, how many did not? Why is this not a free and fair election? (3 marks) 8. In Mexico, the PRI won every presidential election from 1930 to 2000. If an election was held every 6 years, about how many elections did it win in this period? Why was Mexico not a democracy then? (3 marks) 9. In a country, constituency A has 50,000 voters and constituency B has 2,00,000 voters, and each elects one representative. Find how many times more powerful a vote in A is than a vote in B. Which principle of democracy does this violate? (3 marks) 10. In a village survey of 400 people, 260 said democracy is the best form of government, 90 said it does not matter, and the rest said dictatorship is better. Find the percentage for each opinion. (3 marks) Section C - Diagrams (10 marks) 11. Draw a chart showing the four main features of democracy with one example each of a country that did not follow it. (4 marks) 12. Draw a flowchart showing how democracy allows citizens to correct mistakes. (3 marks) 13. Draw a table comparing arguments for and against democracy. (3 marks) Section D - Analysis and Higher-order Thinking (15 marks) 14. Explain the features of democracy with examples from Pakistan, China, Mexico and Zimbabwe. (5 marks) 15. Why is democracy considered a better form of government than others? Give five reasons. (5 marks) 16. Explain the broader meanings of democracy. How can democracy be applied in a family or school? (5 marks) Instructions: Time allowed 2 hours. Attempt all sections. Support your answers with examples from different countries.