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Democracy And Diversity

Question

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Describe any five characteristics of democracy.

Solution

Democracy is considered to be the best form of government these days. Most of the countries in the world have adopted it. The following arguments have been given in favour of Democracy:

(i) Safeguards the interests of the people:

Chief merit of democracy lies in that it safeguards the interests of the people. Real power lies in the hands of the people who exercise it by the representatives elected by them and who are responsible to them. It is said that social, economic and political interests of the individuals are served better under this system.

(ii) Based on the principle of equality:

Democracy is based on the principle of equality. All members of the State are equal in the eyes of law. All enjoy equal social, political and economic rights and state cannot discriminate among citizens on the basis of caste, religion, sex, or property. All have equal right to choose their government.

(iii) Stable government:

Democracy is based on public will. It conducts state business with public support. It is, therefore, more stable than other forms of Government.

(iv) Helps in making people good citizens:

Success of democracy lies on its good citizens. Democracy creates proper environment for the development of personality and cultivating good habits. D. Tacquville is of opinion that 'Democracy is the first school of good citizenship. Citizens learn their rights and duties from birth till death in it.'
(v) Little chance of revolution:

Since democracy is based on public will, there is no chance of public revolt. Representatives elected by the people conduct the affairs of the state with public support. If they don't work efficiently or don't come up to the expectations of their masters i.e., the public, they are thrown in the dustbin of history when elections are held again. Gilchrist opines that democracy or popular governments always function with consensus and therefore question of revolt or revolution does not arise.

Some More Questions From Democracy and Diversity Chapter

Arrange the following statements in a logical sequence and select the right answers by using the code given below.
A. But all political expression of social division need not be always dangerous.
B. Social divisions of one kind or the other exist in most countries.
C. Parties try to win political support by appealing to social divisions.
D. Some social differences may result in social divisions.

Among the following, which country suffered disintegration due to political fights on the basis of religious and ethnic identities?

Read the following passage from a famous speech by Martin Luther King Jr. in 1963. Which social division is he talking about? What are his aspirations and anxieties? Do you see a relationship between this speech and the incident in Mexico Olympics mentioned in this chapter?
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character. Let freedom ring. And when this happens, and when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children-blackmen and whitemen, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics-will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual:‘ Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!’ I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.’

Which of the following statements about social differences in the Netherlands and Northern Ireland are correct?
A. Both Northern Ireland and the Netherlands are pre-dominantly Christian but divided between Catholics and Protestants.
B. In Northern Ireland class and religion overlap each other.
C. Overlapping social differences do not create possibilities of deep social divisions and tensions.
D. In the Netherlands, class and religion tend to cut across each other.

Which of the following statements reflect how social divisions affect politics?
A. Combination of politics and social division is dangerous.
B. Democracy involves competition among various political parties due to which social divisions get reflected in politics.
C. All expressions of social divisions in politics lead to disaster.
D. Social divisions affect voting in most countries.
E. In a democracy, political parties do not necessarily make policies to redress the grievances of the disadvantaged community.
F. Political competition along religions and ethnic lines led to disintegration of Yugoslavia into six independent countries.

What is not the basis of social divisions in India?

Which of the following is associated with the Civil Rights Movement in the USA?

When was Mexico Olympics held?

Who started the Civil Rights Movement in USA?

Descendents of Africans who were sent to USA as slaves are known as

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