Differentiate between Direct and Indirect Democracy.

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.

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

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.

In 2004 a report published in U.S.A. pointed to the increasing inequalities in that country. Inequalities in income reflected in the participation of people in democracy. It also shaped their abilities to influence the decisions taken by the government. The report highlighted that :

If an average Black family earns $ 100 then the income of average White family is $ 162. A White family has twelve times more wealth than the average Black Family.

In a President’s election nearly 9 out of 10 individuals in families with income over $ 75,000 have voted. These people are the top 20 % of the population in terms of their income. On the other hand only 5 people out of 10 from families with income less than $ 15,000 have voted. They are the bottom 20% of the population in terms of their income.

About 95% contribution to the political parties comes from the rich. This gives them opportunity to express their opinion and concern, which is not available to most citizens.

As poor sections participate less in politics, the government does not listen to their concerns—coming out of povery, getting job, education, health care and housing from them. Politicians hear most regularly about the concerns of business and the most rich.

Write an essay on ‘Decmocracy and Poverty’ using the information given in this report but using examples from India.