Political Science: Democracy in the Contemporary World – CBSE NCERT Study Resources

Chile was under Pinochet's dictatorship from 1973 to 1990, marked by repression and human rights violations.

• 1988 referendum: Citizens voted against Pinochet's rule.
• 1990 elections: Patricio Aylwin became the first democratic president.
• Truth commissions exposed past atrocities.

Restored freedoms improved living standards and reduced inequality.

Chile remains a stable democracy, inspiring other nations.

Poland transitioned to democracy in 1989, while Myanmar faced military rule for decades.

• Poland: Solidarity movement led to free elections.
• Myanmar: Military junta suppressed democracy until recent reforms.

Poland's growth improved, while Myanmar lagged in development.

Poland is an EU member, whereas Myanmar struggles with democratic consolidation.

India's democracy relies on voter participation since independence.

• 2014 & 2019 elections saw record voter turnout.
• Women and youth participation increased significantly.

Strong participation ensures inclusive policies and accountability.

Recent state elections show rising political awareness among citizens.

Apartheid denied voting rights to non-whites until 1994.

• 1994 elections: First inclusive vote elected Nelson Mandela.
• Constitution guaranteed equal rights for all.

Reduced racial inequalities and improved governance.

South Africa remains a multicultural democracy despite challenges.

Nepal was a monarchy until 2008, when it became a federal republic.

• 2006 uprising ended king's rule.
• 2015 constitution established federalism.

Political instability slowed development initially.

Nepal now conducts regular elections, though corruption persists.

Chile was under Pinochet's military rule from 1973 to 1990, suppressing democracy. Our textbook shows how protests and international pressure weakened his regime.

• 1988 referendum rejected Pinochet's rule.
• Elections in 1990 brought Patricio Aylwin to power.
• Constitutional reforms restored democratic institutions.

Chile is now a stable democracy, showing how people's movements can rebuild governance.

Poland transitioned in 1989 after Solidarity's protests, while Nepal's monarchy ended in 2008 after a civil war.

• Poland: Trade unions led change; elections introduced democracy.
• Nepal: Maoist rebellion forced monarchy's end.

Both faced challenges like corruption, but Poland integrated faster with Europe.

Nepal still struggles with stability, unlike Poland's EU success.

The UN supports democracy through peacekeeping and elections. Our textbook mentions its role in decolonization.

• Namibia (1990): UN oversaw independence elections.
• Cambodia (1993): UN helped end civil war with polls.
• East Timor (2002): UN monitored its democratic independence.

Today, the UN aids countries like Libya, though challenges remain.

Apartheid enforced racial segregation until 1994. Our textbook highlights Nelson Mandela's imprisonment.

• Protests like Soweto Uprising (1976) exposed apartheid's brutality.
• International sanctions pressured the government.
• 1994 elections brought Mandela to power.

Democracy improved rights but inequalities persist.

South Africa remains a model for peaceful transition.

Universal suffrage ensures equal voting rights. India adopted it in 1950, while the USA expanded it gradually.

• India: All adults could vote post-independence, empowering marginalized groups.
• USA: Civil Rights Act (1964) ended racial voting barriers.

Both countries show how inclusivity strengthens democracy, though challenges like voter suppression exist.

In a democracy, free and fair elections are the cornerstone of a legitimate government. They ensure that the people have the power to choose their representatives without any coercion or manipulation. Here’s why they are significant:

• Representation: Elections allow citizens to elect leaders who reflect their aspirations and needs, ensuring their voices are heard in governance.
• Accountability: Elected representatives remain answerable to the people, as they can be voted out in the next election if they fail to perform.
• Political Equality: Every citizen, regardless of caste, religion, or economic status, has an equal right to vote, promoting inclusivity.

Free and fair elections ensure participation by providing a transparent process where votes are cast secretly, and results are declared honestly. This builds trust in the system and encourages higher voter turnout, strengthening democracy.

Democratic governments and non-democratic governments differ significantly in their functioning and principles. Below is a comparison:

• People’s Participation: In democracies like India or the USA, citizens elect their leaders through voting. In non-democratic systems like North Korea, power is concentrated in the hands of a single leader or party without public consent.
• Rule of Law: Democracies follow a constitution that guarantees rights and freedoms. Non-democratic regimes often suppress dissent and control media, as seen in China’s restricted political freedoms.
• Accountability: Democratic leaders are accountable to the people and judiciary, while non-democratic rulers operate without checks, like in Saudi Arabia’s monarchy.

Democracies promote equality and development, whereas non-democratic systems often lead to oppression and limited growth.

Direct democracy and representative democracy are two forms of governance with distinct features:

• Direct Democracy: Citizens directly participate in decision-making (e.g., through referendums). It is feasible in small communities but impractical for large populations due to logistical challenges.
• Representative Democracy: Citizens elect representatives who make decisions on their behalf. This system is efficient for large nations as it saves time and resources.

In a vast and diverse country like India, representative democracy is more practical because:

• It allows for efficient governance despite the massive population.
• Elected representatives can specialize in policymaking, ensuring informed decisions.
• It balances participation and practicality, making democracy functional at scale.

Thus, while direct democracy ensures pure public involvement, representative democracy is better suited for large nations like India.

In a democracy, free and fair elections are the cornerstone of a legitimate government. They ensure that the people have the power to choose their representatives without any coercion or manipulation. Here’s why they are significant:

• Representation: Elections allow citizens to elect leaders who reflect their will and address their needs. For example, in India, the Election Commission ensures fairness by monitoring campaigns and voting processes.
• Accountability: Elected representatives remain accountable to the people, as they can be voted out in the next election if they fail to perform.
• Legitimacy: A government formed through fair elections gains public trust and acceptance. For instance, countries like the USA and UK uphold democratic values by conducting transparent elections.

Without free and fair elections, a government lacks moral authority, leading to unrest or dictatorship, as seen in some non-democratic nations.

Democratic and non-democratic governments differ significantly in their functioning and principles:

• Decision-making: In democracies, decisions are made through discussions and voting (e.g., Indian Parliament), while non-democratic regimes rely on a single authority (e.g., North Korea).
• Rights and freedoms: Democracies guarantee fundamental rights like freedom of speech (e.g., protests in France), whereas non-democracies suppress dissent (e.g., China’s censorship).
• Equality: Democracies ensure equal opportunities for all, such as India’s reservation system for marginalized groups, while non-democracies often favor elites.

Democracy promotes equality by giving every citizen a voice and freedom by protecting individual rights. For example, South Africa transitioned from apartheid (non-democratic) to democracy, ensuring equal rights for all races.

Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of a democracy as they allow citizens to choose their representatives without any coercion or manipulation. These elections ensure that the government derives its power from the people, making it legitimate and accountable.

Key aspects include:

• Equal participation: Every eligible voter has the right to vote without discrimination.
• Transparency: The election process is open to scrutiny to prevent fraud.
• Choice: Voters can select from multiple candidates or parties.

For example, in India, the Election Commission ensures free and fair elections by enforcing strict rules, monitoring campaigns, and using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) to reduce malpractice. Similarly, in the United States, independent bodies oversee elections to maintain fairness.

Without free and fair elections, a government lacks legitimacy, as seen in authoritarian regimes where elections are rigged or controlled. Thus, they are vital for upholding democratic values.

Political parties play a crucial role in a democratic system by organizing political competition, representing diverse interests, and forming governments. They bridge the gap between citizens and the state.

Their contributions include:

• Representation: Parties articulate the demands of different social groups, such as workers, farmers, or minorities.
• Policy-making: They propose and implement policies based on their ideologies, like the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) focusing on nationalism or the Indian National Congress (INC) emphasizing social welfare.
• Accountability: Opposition parties scrutinize the government's actions, ensuring transparency.

For instance, in the United Kingdom, the Labour Party and Conservative Party compete to shape policies, while in India, coalition governments often reflect regional party influence. Without parties, democracy would lack structure and direction.

In a democracy, free and fair elections are the cornerstone of ensuring that the government represents the will of the people. They allow citizens to choose their leaders without any coercion or manipulation, ensuring that power is transferred peacefully and legitimately.

The significance of free and fair elections includes:

• Representation: Elections ensure that the government reflects the choices of the majority while protecting the rights of minorities.
• Accountability: Elected representatives remain answerable to the people, as they can be voted out if they fail to perform.
• Participation: Citizens actively engage in governance by voting, campaigning, or contesting elections, strengthening democratic values.
• Transparency: Fair elections prevent fraud and ensure that the process is open to scrutiny by independent bodies like the Election Commission.

For example, in India, the Election Commission ensures free and fair elections by enforcing rules like the Model Code of Conduct and using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) to reduce malpractice. Similarly, countries like the USA and UK have independent electoral systems to maintain fairness.

Thus, free and fair elections empower citizens, uphold democratic principles, and ensure that governance remains people-centric.

Democracy is a system of government where power is vested in the hands of the people, either directly or through elected representatives. It plays a crucial role in the contemporary world due to its emphasis on equality, justice, and freedom.

Key features of democracy:

• Rule of Law: All citizens, including leaders, are equal before the law.
• Free and Fair Elections: Regular elections ensure people's participation in governance.
• Fundamental Rights: Protects freedoms like speech, religion, and equality.
• Accountability: Leaders are answerable to the people.

Promotion of Equality and Justice:

Democracy ensures that every individual has an equal opportunity to participate in decision-making. For example, in India, the Constitution guarantees Fundamental Rights to all citizens, ensuring no discrimination based on caste, religion, or gender. Similarly, countries like South Africa transitioned from apartheid to democracy, ensuring equal rights for all races.

Value-added insight: Democracy also encourages peaceful conflict resolution and fosters economic growth by ensuring political stability. Thus, it remains the most preferred form of governance globally.

Democracy is a system of government where power is vested in the hands of the people, either directly or through elected representatives. In the contemporary world, democracy plays a crucial role in ensuring equality, justice, and freedom for all citizens.

The key features of democracy include:

• Free and Fair Elections: Regular elections allow citizens to choose their leaders and hold them accountable.
• Rule of Law: Everyone, including leaders, must follow the law, ensuring no one is above it.
• Fundamental Rights: Citizens enjoy rights like freedom of speech, religion, and equality before the law.
• Separation of Powers: The government is divided into legislative, executive, and judiciary to prevent misuse of power.

Democracy promotes equality by giving every citizen an equal voice in decision-making, regardless of their background. It ensures justice by providing a fair legal system where disputes are resolved impartially. Additionally, democratic governments are more transparent and responsive to the needs of the people, fostering trust and stability in society.

For example, in India, democracy has empowered marginalized communities through affirmative action and legal protections, ensuring their participation in governance. Thus, democracy remains the most effective system for upholding human dignity and societal progress.