What is Democracy class 10 power point.pptx

Education

1. What is Democracy? Why Democracy?

2. What is Democracy?

3. Democracy is a form of government where people has the power to choose his or her representative

4. jf The democratic governments are based on fundamental principles of political equality. The opposition parties are allowed to function freely before and after the elections. A democratic government rules within limits sets by constitutional law and citizen’s right.

5. In a democracy, each adult citizen must have one vote and each vote must have one value. A democracy must be based on a free and fair election where those currently in power have a fair chance of losing. In a democracy the final decision making power must rest with those who elected by the people.

6. Features of Democracy Decision making power rest with elected people. Free and fair elections Each adult citizen must have One vote and each vote must have one value Deal with differences and conflicts A democratic government rules within limits sets by constitutional law and citizen’s right.

7. Merits of Democracy A democratic government is a better government because it is a more accountable form of government. Democracy improves the quality of decision making Democracy provides a method to deal with differences and conflicts. In a democracy no one is a permanent winner or loser. Democracy is better than other forms of government because it allows us to correct its own mistakes.

8. Democracy enhances the dignity of citizens, because it is based on the principle of political equality, on recognizing that the poorest and least educated have the same status as the rich and the educated.

9. Demerits / Drawbacks of Democracy Leaders keep changing in a democracy. This leads to instability. Democracy is all about political competition and power play. There is no scope for morality. Elected leaders do not know the best interest of the people. It leads to bad decisions. Democracy leads to corruption for it is based on electoral competition.

10. Difference between Democratic and Non Democratic Government Democratic Government Non Democratic Government Government formed by the representatives. Rule by force, by a person or a group. Representatives are elected in a free and fair election. Representatives are not elected by the people. Major decision by the elected leaders. Major decision by non elected leaders. Citizens have the rights to oppose policy and action made by the government. No criticism of government or ruler tolerated Citizens have voting rights , one person one vote one value. No voting rights is given to the citizen.

11. CASE STUDIES PAKISTAN CHINA MEXICO ZIMBABWE SAUDI ARABIA ESTONIA FIJI

12. In Pakistan people have elected Parliament and government but the real power is with those who is not elected by the people.

13. In October 1999,General Parvez Musharraf overthrew the democratically elected government and declared himself “ Chief Executive ” of the country.

14. In 2002 he changed his position to President Then held a referendum – Five years extension Pakistani media, human right organizations and democracy activists said – referendum was based on malpractices and fraud. In August 2002 – he issued “Legal Frame Work order” that amended the constitution of Pakistan. According to this order – President can dismiss the national and provisional assemblies

15. The work of the civilian cabinet supervised by national Security Council dominated by military officers. After passing this law the election held to the national and state assemblies. The elected representatives have some powers. But final power rest with military officers and General Parvez Musharraf

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

17. In China elections are regularly held after every five years for electing the country’s parliament, called Quanguo Renmin Daibiao Dahui (National People’s Congress)

18. They have the power to appoint the President. It has nearly 3000 members elected from all over China. Some members are elected by the army. Before contesting elections, a candidate needs the approval of the Chinese Communist Party Only those who are member in Communist Party or eight smaller parties allied to it were allowed to contest election held in 2002-03. The government is always formed by the Communist Party.

19. Mexico Since its independence in 1930, Mexico holds elections after every six years to elect its President. The Country has never been under a military or dictator’s rule.

20. After 2000 every election was won by a party called PRI (Institutional Revolutionary Party) Opposition parties did contest the elections but never win the election

21. The PRI use many dirty tricks to win the election Teachers of government schools forced parents to vote PRI All those who employed in government offices had to attend its party meetings Media ignored the activities of opposition political parties except to criticise them. Sometimes the polling booths were shifted from one place to another in the last minutes ,which made it difficult for people to cast their vote.

22. The PRI spent large some of money in the campaign for its candidates. A democracy must be based on free and fair election where those currently in power have a fair chance of losing

23. One person, one vote, one value It mans all the adults have a right to vote without any discrimination based on colour , race, caste or class Each person can caste one vote – all votes are counted( the person who gets the maximum number of votes get elected)

24. Saudi Arabia , Estonia , Fiji In Saudi Arabia Women do not have the right to vote. Estonia made its citizenship rules in such a way that people belonging to Russian minority find it difficult to get the right to vote. In Fiji the electoral system such that vote of an indigenous Fiji has more value than that of an Indian Fijian

25. Rule of law and respect for rights Zimbabwe attained independence from white minority rule in 1980. Since then the country has been ruled by ZANU-PF, the party led the freedom sturggle .

26. Leader - Robert Mugabe, has been ruling the country since independence. Elections have been held regularly and always won by ZANU- PF President is popular but also uses unfair practices in elections.

27. Over the years his government has changed the constitution several times to increase the powers of the President and make him less accountable. Opposition party workers are harassed and disrupted. There is a law that limits the right to criticise the President. Television and radio are controlled by the government and give only the ruling party’s version.

28. There are independent news papers but the government harasses those journalists who go against this. The government has ignored some court judgments and went against it and has pressurised judges. A democratic government rules within limits set by constitutional law and citizen’s rights

29. Why Democracy? It is more accountable form of government. It improve the quality of decision making. It provides a method to deal with difference and conflicts It allows us to correct its own mistake. It is better than other form of government. It is considered the best form of government.

30. Arguments against the Democracy Elected leaders do not know the best interest of the people so its leads to bad decision. Its based on electoral competition so its leads to corruption. Leaders keep changing in a democracy. This leads to instability. Its all about political competition and power play. Many people have to consulted in democracy that leads to delay.

31. Broader Meanings of Democracy On this chapter we understood the meaning of Democracy in a limited and descriptive sense. We have understood Democracy is a form of government. The most common form that democracy takes in our times is that of a representative democracy.

32. In the countries we call democracy, all the people do not rule. A majority is allowed to take decisions on behalf of all the people. Even majority does not rule directly.

33. In Democracy majority of people rule through their elected representatives – Why? Modern democracies involves 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 citizens does not have the time, the desire or the skills to take part in all the decisions.