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Q:

In 2004, a report published in USA 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 opinions and concerns, 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 poverty, getting job, education, health care and housing for them. Politicians hear most regularly about the concerns of business persons and the rich.
Write an essay on ‘Democracy and Poverty’ using the information given in this report but using examples from India.

A:

DEMOCRACY AND POVERTY

It is an established fact that the rich and influential form the bulk of voters in democracies around the world. However, India’s case is unique. India is the only country where the majority of voters are from the poorer sections of the society. But even as the poverty stricken masses form the majority of the electorate in India, the irony is that poverty continues to be an issue in the country.

In USA, it can be easily understood why the Blacks continue to be marginalized. The income of an average Black family is quite low as compared to an average White family. Studies have shown that an average White family earns 12 times more than an average Black family. Since voters in USA are mostly from the rich class, it can be understood that most voters are White. The governments that come to power tend to address the problems of their potential voters and work for their benefit. This may be a reason why Blacks continue to live in poverty in the USA.

Now the question arises, why do poorer sections of the society in India don’t experience any improvement in their condition even though they form the majority of voters? To answer this question, I would like to draw your attention towards a similarity between Indian and American politics. Both in India and the USA, political parties receive most of their funds from the rich business class and the industrialists. It is quite obvious that any political party that comes to power will be influenced by these business groups. Therefore, governments tend to make policies that are beneficial for the rich business class. As a result, in a country like India, where the poor people enthusiastically queue up at the polling booths hardly see any change in their condition.

So, we can conclude that the fruits of democracy are yet to be truly realized. It is only the rich minority that is reaping most of the benefits from democracy. In an ideal democracy, the benefits should reach to the rich and poor alike. The issues of the citizens should be addressed and their conditions should improve.

Q:

Consider the following facts about a country and decide if you would call it a democracy. Give reasons to support your decision.
  1. All the citizens of the country have a right to vote. Elections are held regularly.
  2. 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.
  3. People speak more than seven languages but education is available only in one language, the language spoken by 52 percent people of that country.
  4. Several organisations have given a call for peaceful demonstrations and nationwide strikes in the country to oppose these policies. Government has arrested these leaders.
  5. 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.

A:

Though every citizen has the right to vote, but this country cannot be called a democracy for the following reasons –

  • The government is not concerned about the basic needs of the people like education and health. It accepted a loan on the condition of reducing expenses on such basic needs.
  • Education is available only in the language of the majority. Though other languages are also spoken, but they do not get recognition. This means other linguistic groups face marginalization and discrimination.
  • People are not allowed to hold peaceful demonstrations or oppose government policies. Leaders who dare to oppose the government are arrested.
  • There is no freedom of speech or expression. The radio and television are controlled by the government. Even the newspapers are required to take permission from the government before publishing any article regarding government policies.
Q:

Are the following statements in keeping with democracy as a value? Why?
  1. 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.
  2. Teacher to student: Don’t disturb my concentration by asking me questions in the classroom.
  3. Employee to the officer: Our working hours must be reduced according to the law.

A:

The father’s behaviour is against democratic values. Every adult has the right to choose his/her life partner. Here, the father has no right to impose his choice on his daughter.

b. The teacher’s behaviour is against democratic norms. It is the right of the student to ask questions. Here, the student is being denied his/her democratic right.

c. The demand of the employee is democratic. Here, the employee wants the law of country to be followed. Following this law will benefit all the employees.

Q:

Write a response to the following arguments against democracy:
  1. Army is the most disciplined and corruption-free organization in the country. Therefore army should rule the country.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

A:

a. Under military rule, people will lose basic freedoms like freedom of speech, freedom to form associations or organize protests.

b. It’s true that wise people should rule, but at the same time views and aspirations of the majority cannot be suppressed. Therefore, people from every section of the society should be represented in the government.

c. If religious leaders are invited to rule, there would be serious conflicts. People will lose their freedom of religion. Therefore, religion must be separated from politics.

Q:

There are 40 villages in a district where the government has made no provision for drinking water. These villagers met and considered many methods of forcing the government to respond to their need. Which of these is not a democratic method?
  1. Filing a case in the courts claiming that water is part of right to life.
  2. Boycotting the next elections to give a message to all parties.
  3. Organizing public meetings against government’s policies.
  4. Paying money to government officials to get water.

A:

d. Paying money to government officials to get water.

Paying money to officials is not a democratic method.

Q:

Which of these is not a valid reason for arguing that there is a lesser possibility of famine in a democratic country?
  1. Opposition parties can draw attention to hunger and starvation.
  2. Free press can report suffering from famine in different parts of the country.
  3. Government fears its defeat in the next elections.
  4. People are free to believe in and practice any religion.

A:

d. People are free to believe and practice any religion

Reason: Freedom of religion is not connected to the issue of famine in any way.

Q:

Each of these statements contains a democratic and an undemocratic element. Write out the two separately for each statement.
  1. 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.
  2. The Election Commission ordered re-polling in a constituency where large scale rigging was reported.
  3. Women’s representation in the parliament has never reached 10 per cent. This led women’s organisations to demand one-third seats for women.

A:

a. Democratic element – A minister said that some laws have to be passed by the parliament

Undemocratic element – In order to conform to the regulations decided by the World Trade Organization.

b. Democratic element – The Election Commission ordered re-polling in a constituency

Undemocratic element – Where large scale rigging was reported.

c. Undemocratic element – Women’s representation in the parliament has never reached 10 per cent.

Democratic element – This led women’s organizations to demand one-third seats for women.

Q:

Which of these is not a good argument in favour of democracy? Why?
  1. People feel free and equal in a democracy.
  2. Democracies resolve conflict in a better way than others.
  3. Democratic government is more accountable to the people.
  4. Democracies are more prosperous than others

A:

d. Democracies are more prosperous than others

Reason: Democracies are not necessarily more prosperous than others. Non-democratic countries like China (single-party system) and Saudi Arabia (monarchy) are more prosperous than democratic countries like Bangladesh and India.

Q:

Here is some information about four countries. Based on this information, how would you classify each of these countries? Write ‘democratic’, ‘undemocratic’ or ‘not sure’ against each of these.
  1. Country P: The parliament cannot pass a law about the army without the consent of the Chief of Army.
  2. Country Q: The parliament cannot pass a law reducing the powers
    of the judiciary.
  3. Country R: The country’s leaders cannot sign any treaty with another country without taking permission from its neighbouring country.
  4. Country S: All the major economic decisions about the country are taken by officials of the central bank which the ministers cannot change.

A:

a. Undemocratic

b. Democratic

c. Undemocratic

d. Undemocratic

Q:

Here is some information about four countries. Based on this information, how would you classify each of these countries? Write ‘democratic’, ‘undemocratic’ or ‘not sure’ against each of these.
  1. Country A: People who do not accept the country’s official religion do not have a right to vote
  2. Country B: The same party has been winning elections for the last twenty years
  3. Country C: Ruling party has lost in the last three elections
  4. Country D: There is no independent election commission

A:
  1. Undemocratic
  2. Not sure
  3. Democratic
  4. Undemocratic
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