Challanges to Democracy

  ch-8 ( challenges to Democracy ) class -10th ( Pol . Science )

 

Q1.  What is a challenge?

 

Ans. A challenge is not just any problem. We usually call only those difficulties a ‘challenge’ which are significant and which can be overcome. A challenge is a difficulty that carries within it an opportunity for progress.

 

Q2. Explain 3 challenges of democracy?

Ans.  Different countries face different kinds of challenges.

 

1.       Foundational challenge -This involves bringing down the existing non-democratic regime, keeping military away from controlling government and establishing a sovereign and functional state.

2.      Challenge of expansion-This involves applying the basic principle of democratic government across all the regions, different social groups and various institutions. Ensuring greater power to local governments, extension of federal principle to all the units of the federation, inclusion of women and minority groups, etc., falls under this challenge.

3.      Deepening of democracy –This is faced by every democracy in one form or another. This involves strengthening of the institutions and practices of democracy by more people’s participation and control.

 

Q3. What do you mean by political reform?

Ans. All the suggestions or proposals about overcoming various challenges to democracy are called democracy reform or political reform.

Q4. What guide lines must be kept in mind while dividing ways and means for political reform in India?

Ans. Law has an important role to play in political reform. But legal constitutional changes by themselves cannot overcome challenges to democracy.  Democratic reforms are to be carried out mainly by political activists, parties, movements and politically conscious citizens.

·       Any legal change must carefully look at what results it will have on politics.

·       Generally, laws that seek to ban something are not very successful in politics. Laws that give political actors incentives to do good things have more chances of working. The best laws are those which empower people to carry out democratic reforms. (The Right to Information Act is a good example of a law that empowers the people to find out what is happening in government and act as watchdogs of democracy).

·       Democratic reforms are to be brought about principally through political practice. Therefore, the main focus of political reforms should be to increase and improve the quality of political participation by ordinary citizens.

·       Any proposal for political reforms should think not only about what is a good solution but also about who will implement it and how. 

Q5. State the main features of expanded definition of democracy.

Ans.  1. The rulers elected by the people must take all the major decision.

          2. Election must offer a choice and fair opportunity to change the current rulers.

          3. This choice and opportunity should be available to all the people on an equal basis.