WHAT IS DEMOCRACY? WHY DEMOCRACY? POLITICAL SCIENCE CLASS 9

WHAT IS DEMOCRACY? WHY DEMOCRACY? CHAPTER-2 POLITICAL SCIENCE CLASS 9 

OVERVIEW-

Democracy is the most prevalent form of government in the world today and it is expanding to more

countries. But why is it so? What makes it better than other forms of government? That is the second big question that we take up in this chapter. 

The aim here is to understand clearly the bare minimum features of a democratic form of government. After going through this chapter we should be able to distinguish a democratic form of government from a non democratic government.

WHAT IS DEMOCRACY?

Democracy is a form of government in which the rulers are elected by the people. It reminds us that democracy is people’s rule. But if we use this definition in an unthinking manner, we would end up calling almost every government that holds an election a democracy

Ribiang went back home and collected some more famous quotations on democracy. This time she did not mention the names of the people who said or wrote these. She wants you to read these and comment on how good or useful these thoughts are Democracy gives every man the right to be his own

oppressor Democracy consists of choosing your dictators after they’ve told you what you think it is you want to hear. Man’s capacity for justice makes democracy possible, but man’s inclination to injustice makes democracy necessary Democracy is a device that insures we shall be governed no better

than we deserve

What is Democracy?-

Democracy is important because it give citizens equal opportunities to help make laws, vote for leaders and be protected by laws and rights that are in place

Democracy is a governmental structure that focuses on the rights of the citizens rather than the rights that the government has to control the citizens.

Democracy is a form of government in which the rulers are elected by the people.

• Myanmar where the army rules, Dictator Pinochet’s rule in Chile, or President Nkrumah’s rule in • Ghana was not democratic. They were not chosen by the people.
• Hereditary kings, like the king of Nepal or Saudi Arabia, are also not democratic rulers. They rule because they were born into noble families.

In a democracy final, decision-making power must rest with those elected by the people.

• In Pakistan, President Musharraf had the power to dismiss national and state assemblies; so the final powers rest with the army and the General himself. We cannot call it a democracy. Now Pakistan has an elected government.

Democracy must be based on a free and fair election where those currently in power have a fair chance of losing.
For example, in Mexico elections have been held every six years since 1980. But the same party, PRI, has won the elections. Obviously, there has been rigging and malpractices, with freedom denied to the opposition. This is not what a democracy should be.

In a democracy, people’s will is ascertained by each adult citizen having one vote and each vote has one value. Democracy is based on the fundamental principle of political equality.

A democratic government rules within the limits set by constitutional and citizens’ rights.

• A democratic government cannot do what it likes after winning the elections. It has to respect certain basic rules and is accountable not only to the people but also to other independent officials.

The Pillars of Democracy are The Sovereignty of the people, Government based upon the consent of the government, Majority rule, Minority rights, Guarantee of basic human rights, Free and Fair elections, Equality before the law, Constitutional limits on government, Values of tolerance, Pragmatism, Cooperation and Compromise.

Points Against Democracy-
There has been a criticism of democracy by various people. The charges are that:

• It creates instability by changing its leaders frequently.
• Democracy is about power play and political competition. There is no scope for morality.
• So many people have to be consulted before any issue is resolved. It leads to delay.
• Elected leaders do not know the best interest of the people.
• It leads to corruption for it is based on electoral corruption.
• Ordinary people do not know what is good for them, so decision-making should not be left to them.

Points In favour of Democracy-

• It is more accountable form of government.
• A method the Quality of decision making.
• A method to deal with differences and conflict.
• Enhance the dignity of citizens.
• Better than other form of government because it allows to correct its own mistakes. 

BROADER MEANING OF DEMOCRACY-

The most common form that democracy takes in our times is that of a representative democracy . This become necessary because:



Modern democracies involve such a large number of people that it is physically impossible for them to sit together and take a collective decision.



Even if they could, the citizen does not have the time, the desire or the skills to take part in all the decisions . Other forms of government like monarchy, dictatorship or one party rule

do not require all citizens to take part in politics. In fact most non democratic governments would like citizens not to take parting politics. But democracy depends on active political participation by all the citizens. That is why a study of democracy must focus on democratic politics.

POLITICAL SCIENCE CLASS 10 POWER SHARING

POWER SHARING CLASS 10 POLITICAL SCIENCE

In Class 9, you have studied that in a democracy all power does not rest with any one organ of the government. An intelligent sharing of power among the legislature, executive and judiciary is very important for the design of democracy. In this chapter, the idea of power sharing is explained in detail, drawing parallels between the stories of Belgium and Sri Lanka. Also, you will learn the different forms of power sharing.

Majoritarianism:
A belief that the majority community should be able to rule a country in whichever way it wants, by disregarding the wishes and needs of the minority is majoritarianism.

Power Sharing in Sri Lanka:
Two major social groups are: (a) Sri Lankan Tamils (b) Indian Tamils. Sinhala-speaking (74 per cent) — Buddhism

Tamil-speaking (18 per cent)—Hindus or Muslims: Sri Lankan Tamils (13 per cent), Indian Tamils (5 per cent).

Sri Lanka emerged as an independent country in 1948. The democratically elected government adopted a series of measures to establish Sinhala supremacy:

1. In 1956, an Act was passed to make Sinhala the official language.
2. The government followed preferential policies favouring Sinhala applicants for University positions and government jobs.
3. The Constitution provided for State protection and fostering of Buddhism.

The Sri Lankan Tamils felt that none of the major political parties led by the Buddhist Sinhala leaders were sensitive to their language and culture and the government policies denied them equal political rights. The Sri Lankan Tamils launched parties and struggles for the recognition of Tamil, for regional autonomy and equality of opportunity in every field. Therefore, the measures adopted by the government to establish Sinhala supremacy led to Civil War.

Ethnic composition of Belgium:
Belgium is a small country in Europe, having a population of a little over one crore. 59 per cent of the country’s total population lives in the Flemish region and speak Dutch language. Another 40 per cent people live in Wallonia region and speak French. Remaining one per cent of the Belgians speak German. Whereas in the Belgian capital, Brussels, 80 per cent of the population is French-speaking and 20 per cent is Dutch-speaking.

Belgian power-sharing model:
The power-sharing arrangements made by the Belgian leaders were different and more innovative than any other country. To recognize the existence of regional differences and cultural diversities, they amended their Constitution four times between 1970 and 1993.
The major elements of the Belgian Model are:

1. Constitution prescribes that the number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers shall be equal in the Central Government. No single community can take decisions unilaterally.
2. The State Governments are not subordinate to the Central Government.
3. Brussels, the capital, has a separate government where both the communities have equal representation.
4. A third kind of government, ‘Community Government’, is elected by people belonging to one language community — Dutch, French and German speaking—no matter where they live. This government can decide on cultural, educational and language related issues.

‘Lebanon’—conflict related to power-sharing disputes were resolved by power sharing:
People from various communities lived in Lebanon’s capital city, Beirut, and fought a bitter Civil War amongst themselves. As a result, thousands of people of various communities were either killed or lost their livelihood. At the end of this Civil War, Lebanon’s leaders came together and agreed to some basic rules for power-sharing among different communities. As per these rules it was agreed that:

• The President would be from Maronite sect of Catholic Christians;
• The Prime Minister must be from the Sunni Muslim community;
• Deputy Prime Minister would be from an Orthodox Christian sect;
• Speaker—a Shia Muslim.

Prudential reasons:
Prudential reasons stress that power-sharing would bring out better outcomes by helping to reduce the possibility of any conflict between the social groups and power-sharing is a good way to ensure the stability of political order through unity of the nation.

Moral reasons:
Moral reasons uphold power-sharing as the very spirit of democracy. A democratic rule involves sharing power with those affected by its exercise. People have the right to be consulted and have equal participation in the government.

Principles of a good democracy:

• that power of a government must not vest in one person or a group of persons.
• that people are the source of all political power.
• that due respect be given to diverse groups and everyone should have a voice in the shaping of public policies.

System of checks an of balances:
The horizontal distribution of power ensures that power is shared among different organs of government—the legislature, executive and judiciary. It allows different organs of government placed at the same level to exercise different powers. In a democracy, ministers and government officials exercise power. They are responsible to the Parliament or State Assemblies. The judges appointed by the executive can check the functioning of executive or laws made by the legislature. The horizontal distribution of power is also called a system of checks and balances.

CBSE Syllabus of Class 10 Social Science

Check the latest CBSE Syllabus of Class 10 Social Science subject for new academic session 2020-2021. 

CBSE Class 10 Social Science Unit-Wise Weightage

Units	Unit Name	Marks
I	India and the Contemporary World - II	20
II	Contemporary India - II	20
III	Democratic Politics - II	20
IV	Understanding Economic Development	20
	Total	80

SYLLABUS FOR CLASS X

SOCIAL SCIENCE (2020-21)

SUB-SUBJECTS	CHAPTERS
HISTORY	Ch-1 - The Rise of Nationalism In Europe Ch-2 -Nationalism In India Ch-5 -The Age of Industrialisation Ch-7 -Print Culture And The Modern World
GEOGRAPHY	Ch-1 Resources And Development Ch-2 –Forest And Wildlife        (Activity Based Assessment) Ch-3 –Water Resources         (Activity Based Assessment) Ch-4- Agriculture Ch-5- Minerals and Energy Resources Ch-6- Manufacturing Industries Ch-7-Lifelines of National Economy
DEMOCRATIC POLITICS	Ch-1 Power Sharing Ch-2 –Federalism Ch-3- Democracy and Diversity                   (Activity Based Assessment) Ch-4- Gender, Religion and Caste Ch-5-Popular Struggles and Movements (Activity Based Assessment) Ch-6- Political Parties Ch-7- Outcomes of Democracy Ch-8- Challenges to Democracy                   (Activity Based Assessment)
ECONOMICS	Ch-1 –The Story of  Development Ch-2- Sectors of  the Indian Economy Ch-3- Money and Credit Ch-4- Globalization and the Indian Economy Ch-5- Consumer Rights (PROJECT WORK)

v Note:-

ü Chapters marked as Activity Based Assessment are the ones which will not be included for BOARD EXAMINATION i.e. (Pen and Paper Test)

ü But their assessment will be done through Multiple Assessments.

PROJECT WORK

CLASS X (2020-21)

05 Periods         05 Marks

1. Every student has to compulsorily undertake any one project on the following topics:

Consumer Awareness

OR

Social Issues

OR

Sustainable Development

2. Objective: The overall objective of the project work is to help students gain an insight and pragmatic understanding of the theme and see all the Social Science disciplines from interdisciplinary perspective. It should also help in enhancing the Life Skills of the students.

Students are expected to apply the Social Science concepts that they have learnt over the years in order to prepare the project report.

If required, students may go out for collecting data and use different primary and secondary resources to prepare the project. If possible, various forms of art may be integrated in the project work.

SOCIAL SCIENCE (CODE NO. 087)

QUESTION PAPER DESIGN

CLASS X (2020-21)

Time: 3 Hours                                                                              Max. Marks: 80

Note:             

• Two items from History Map List and four from Geography Map List

INTERNAL ASSESSMENT

SOCIAL SCIENCE

(SUBJECT CODE: 087)

CLASS X

LIST OF MAP ITEMS

(2020-21)

 

A.HISTORY-Outline Political Map of India

 

Lesson-3 Nationalism in India- (1918-1930)

 

For Locating and labeling / Identification

1.                  INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS SESSIONS:

·                     Calcutta (Sep. 1920)

·                     Nagpur (Dec. 1920)

·                     Madras (1927)

·                     Lahore (1929)

 

2.                  IMPORTANT CENTRES OF INDIAN NATIONAL MOVEMENT:

(Non – Cooperation and Civil Disobedience Movement)

·                     Champaran (BIHAR)- Movement of Indigo Planters

·                     Kheda (GUJARAT)- Peasant Satyagraha

·                     Ahmedabad (GUJARAT)- Cotton Mill Workers Satyagraha

·                     Amritsar (PUNJAB)- Jallianwala Bagh Massacre

·                     Chauri Chaura (U.P.)- Calling off the Non Cooperation Movement

·                     Dandi (GUJARAT)- Civil Disobedience Movement

 

B. GEOGRAPHY-Outline Political Map of India

 

Lesson-1 Resources and Development

Identification only: Major Soil Types.

Note: The chapter ‘Water Resources’ to be assessed in the Periodic Tests only and will not be evaluated in Board Examination. However, the map items of this chapter as listed above will be evaluated in Board Examination. 

Lesson-3 Water Resources

Locating and Labeling-

·                     DAMS: (Along with rivers)

·                     Salal

·                     Bhakra Nangal

·                     Tehri

·                     Rana Pratap Sagar

·                     Sardar Sarovar

·                     Hirakud

·                     Nagarjuna Sagar

·                     Tungabhdara

 

Lesson-4 Agriculture

Identification only

·                     Major areas of Rice and Wheat

·                     Major producers states of Sugarcane, Tea, Coffee, Rubber, Cotton and Jute

Lesson-5 Mineral and Energy Resources

Minerals: Identification only

·                     IRON ORES MINES: Mayurbhanj, Durg, Bailadila, Bellary, Kudremukh

·                     MICA MINES: Ajmer, Beawar, Nellore, Gaya, Hazaribagh

·                     COAL MINES: Raniganj, Jharia, Bokaro, Talcher,Korba,Singrauli, Singareni, Neyvali

·                     OIL FIELDS: Digboi, Naharkatia, Mumbai High, Bassein, Kalol, Ankaleshwar

·                     BAUXITE DEPOSITS: The Amarkantak plateau, Maikal Hills, Plateau region of Bilaspur- Katni, Orissa Panchpatmali deposits in Koraput district

·                     MICA DEPOSITS: Chota Nagpur plateau, Koderma Gaya- Hazaribagh belt of Jharkhand, Ajmer, Nellore mica belt

 

POWER PLANTS: Locating and Labeling only

·                     THERMAL: Namrup, Talcher, Singrauli, Harduaganj, Korba, Uran, Ramagundam, Vijawada, Tuticorin

·                     NUCLEAR: Narora, Rawat Bhata,Kakrapura, Tarapur, Kaiga, Kalpakkam

 

Lesson-6 Manufacturing Industries

Locating and Labeling

·                     COTTON TEXTILE INDUSTRIES: Mumbai, Indore, Ahmedabad, Surat, Kanpur, Coimbatore, Madurai

·                     IRON &STEEL INDUSTRIES: Burnpur, Durgapur, Bokaro, Jamshedpur, Raurkela, Bhilai, Vijaynagar, Bhadravati, Vishakhapatnam, Salem

·                     SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY PARKS: Mohali, Noida, Jaipur, Gandhinagar, Indore, Mumbai, Pune, Kolkata, Bhubaneshwar, Vishakhapatnam, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Mysore, Chennai, Thiruvanantpuram

 

Lesson-7 Lifelines of National Economy

Identification Only:

·                     Golden Quadrilateral, North- South Corridor, East-West Corridor

·                     National Highways: NH-1, NH-2, NH-7

 

Locating and Labeling:

·                     MAJOR PORTS: Kandla, Mumbai, Jawahar Lal Nehru, Marmagao, New Mangalore, Kochi, Tuticorin, Chennai, Vishakhapatnam, Paradip, Haldia, Kolkata

 

·                     INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS: Raja Sansi (Amritsar), Indira Gandhi International (Delhi),Chhatrapati Shivaji (Mumbai), Nadimbacherry (Thiruvanantpuram), Meenam Bakkam (Chennai), Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose (Kolkata), Rajiv Gandhi (Hyderabad)