Geography lesson 26- essence of democracy

classs 6(Landmark integrated social sciences)

1. LESSON 26 ESSENCE OF DEMOCRACY

2. India has a democratic form of government. Democracy literally means ‘people’s rule’. The ultimate power lies with the people. The guiding principles are equality and justice.

3. The Features of Democracy 1.Participation and accountability 2.Checks and balances 3.Public opinions 4.Conflict resolution 5.Equality and justice

4. Participation And Accountability The government of India is also known as representative democracy. Universal Adult Franchise is practiced in India- this means that all people above the age of 18 years can vote in an election and choose their representatives. These representatives make decisions on behalf of the people and while doing so, they keep the needs and interests of the people in mind. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iE6kHRhAfnI

5. Elections are held every five years. India has many political parties. Each political party has candidates who contest the elections. The people cast their votes and candidate with most number of votes is elected the leader of a constituency that he/she represents. The party that gets majority of the seats in the legislature forms the government. They will rule for the next five years. PARTICIPATION

6. ACCOUNTABILITY The representatives elected are accountable to people for their action. People who elect the government have the power to bring them down, if they are not satisfied with the rule of that government.

7. NOTA- none of the above In the elections of 2014, the Election Commission of India approved the use of NOTA i.e., None of The Above, as one of the options in the Electronic Voting Machine.

8. Checks and Balances A system of checks and balances exists in a democratic set-up to ensure that each organ of the government- executive, legislative and judiciary- exercises its powers within the limits of authority. It ensures power is not misused or concentrated with just one organ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSconP2Hpp0

9. The president is the nominal head of the executive and the prime minister is the real head of executive. The president can exercise his power only on advice of prime minister and his council of ministers. The prime minister should also inform the president on all the important matters of the country. The government should function according to the laws in the constitution made by legislature. The legislature cannot enact any law which goes against the spirit of the constitution. If it does so, then it can be declared unconstitutional by the Supreme court.

10. Public Opinion

11. Public Opinion is the opinion people have about an issue. It gives people a voice to express their views about the functioning of the government. It can be voiced in many ways, such as Mass media Through protests Demonstrations Strikes

12. Public opinion helps the government to measure the moods and sentiments of the people and act in accordance to stay in power. It’s a feedback for the ruling party. Can we see the public opinion on corona virus? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFxQD02ZUxE

13. Conflict Resolution https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUTnc9kqLuA India is a diverse country in terms of social, cultural, geographical and economic aspects. This may lead to variety of opinions and divide people into groups. It disturbs the harmony of the country. It leads to insecurity and tension. All this leads to conflict, which at times become violent.. Conflicts can be resolved in many ways.

14. Conflicts also take place when a section of the do not always agree with existing policies or decisions. They feel these policies are unfair or go against them. Though conflicts affect the peace and harmony of a country, it should not always be looked down as negative. If the disagreements are expressed in a healthy and non violent way, are actually good for a democratic set up as they enable all sections of society to have a say in how they would be liked to governed. This ensures that the government responds to the need of vast majority of people and not just a handful.

15. The government listens to the aggrieved parties and finds out the causes for discontent. Through dialogue and negotiation, solutions can be found to resolve the problem. 2. People can approach the courts and resolve through law. The court asses the arguments given by the parties to a conflict and gives its opinions based on the law. How are conflicts resolved?

16. EQUALITY AND JUSTICE The two guiding principles of democracy are equality and justice. EQUALITY – 1. universal adult franchise 2. equality before law and equality of law. 3. freedom of speech and expression 4. freedom to practice any religion 5.freedom to take any job JUSTICE- It ensures rights of all people are protected. Justice in Social, Economic and political aspects.

17. PROJECT DESIGN A POSTER ON EQUALITY AND JUSTICE.