Each of these statements contains a democratic and an undemocratic element. Write out the two separately for each statement.

(a) A minister said that some laws have to be passed by the parliament in order to conform to the regulations decided by the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

(b) The Election Commission ordered re-polling in a constituency where large scale rigging was reported.

(c) Women’s representation in the parliament has never reached 10 per cent. This led women’s organisations to demand one-third seats for women.

Write a response to the following argument against democracy.

Army is the most disciplined and corruption-free organisation in the country. Therefore army should rule the country.

Write a response to the following argument against democracy.

Rule of the majority means the rule of ignorant people. What we need is the rule of the wise, even if they are in small numbers.

Write a response to the following arguments against democracy.

If we want religious leaders to guide us in spiritual matters, why not invite them to guide us in politics as well. The country should be ruled by religious leaders.

Are the following statements in keeping with democracy as a value? Why?

Father to daughter : I don’t want to hear your opinion about your marriage. In our family children marry where the parents tell them to do.

Are the following statements in keeping with democracy as a value? Why?

Teacher to student : Don’t disturb my concentration by asking me questions in the classroom.

Are the following statements in keeping with democracy as a value? Why?

Employee to the officer : Our working hours must be reduced according to the law.

Consider the following facts about a country and decide if you would call it a democracy. Give reasons to support your decision.

All the citizens of the country have right to vote. Elections are held regularly.

Consider the following facts about a country and decide if you would call it a democracy. Give reasons to support your decision.

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.

Consider the following facts about a country and decide if you would call it a democracy. Give reasons to support your decision.

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.

Consider the following facts about a country and decide if you would call it a democracy. Give reasons to support your decision.

Several organisations have given a call for peaceful demonstrations and nation wide strikes in the country to oppose these policies. Government has arrested these leaders.