❴POLITICAL SCIENCE❵
Ch-1 What is Democracy?
Why Democracy?
Q. Define the following terms
Ans.
1. Dictatorship: All the powers are in the hands of a single
individual or a small group of individuals and the dictator is not
answerable to anybody.
2. Democracy: It is a form of government in which the ruling
power is in the hands of the people and the government is
answerable.
3. Communist State: A state run by the communist party
without allowing other parties to fight elections.
4. Coalition: A combination of parties to share power in the
government.
5. Political Prisoners: Prisoners held in prison or detained for
opposing the government.
6. Dictator: Head of the state who independently rules the
country.
7. Constitution: Rules of laws according to which the
government of the state runs.
8. Referendum: It is a direct vote in which the entire electorate
is asked to either accept or reject a proposal.
Q1. State the features of Democracy
Ans.
● The rulers are elected by the people.
● Free and competitive elections are held.
, ● Each adult irrespective of religion, education, caste,
colour, wealth has one vote, one value.
● The elected rulers take decisions within limits set by
constitutional law and citizens rights.
● The rights of the citizens must be protected through the
Constitution.
● There must be an independent judiciary.
Q2. How did General Musharraf assume power in Pakistan?
Why can’t Pakistan be called a democracy?
Ans.
● In Pakistan, General Pervez Musharraf led a military coup
in October 1999 and overthrew democratically elected
government and became President of the country.
→ In 2002, he held a referendum in the country which was
based on malpractices and fraud and granted him a five-year
extension.
→ After passing a law, ‘Legal Framework Order’ which gave
the president power to dismiss the national and provincial
assemblies, elections were held to the national and provincial
assemblies.
● In this case, Pakistan has had elections, elected
representatives have some powers. But the final power
rests with military officers and General Musharraf himself.
● In a democracy, the final decision-making power must rest
with those elected by the people.
● So, Pakistan can’t be called democratic nation.
Q3. How do people elect their representatives in China?
Ans. In China elections are held after every 5 years for electing
the country’s Parliament called National People’s Congress.
Ch-1 What is Democracy?
Why Democracy?
Q. Define the following terms
Ans.
1. Dictatorship: All the powers are in the hands of a single
individual or a small group of individuals and the dictator is not
answerable to anybody.
2. Democracy: It is a form of government in which the ruling
power is in the hands of the people and the government is
answerable.
3. Communist State: A state run by the communist party
without allowing other parties to fight elections.
4. Coalition: A combination of parties to share power in the
government.
5. Political Prisoners: Prisoners held in prison or detained for
opposing the government.
6. Dictator: Head of the state who independently rules the
country.
7. Constitution: Rules of laws according to which the
government of the state runs.
8. Referendum: It is a direct vote in which the entire electorate
is asked to either accept or reject a proposal.
Q1. State the features of Democracy
Ans.
● The rulers are elected by the people.
● Free and competitive elections are held.
, ● Each adult irrespective of religion, education, caste,
colour, wealth has one vote, one value.
● The elected rulers take decisions within limits set by
constitutional law and citizens rights.
● The rights of the citizens must be protected through the
Constitution.
● There must be an independent judiciary.
Q2. How did General Musharraf assume power in Pakistan?
Why can’t Pakistan be called a democracy?
Ans.
● In Pakistan, General Pervez Musharraf led a military coup
in October 1999 and overthrew democratically elected
government and became President of the country.
→ In 2002, he held a referendum in the country which was
based on malpractices and fraud and granted him a five-year
extension.
→ After passing a law, ‘Legal Framework Order’ which gave
the president power to dismiss the national and provincial
assemblies, elections were held to the national and provincial
assemblies.
● In this case, Pakistan has had elections, elected
representatives have some powers. But the final power
rests with military officers and General Musharraf himself.
● In a democracy, the final decision-making power must rest
with those elected by the people.
● So, Pakistan can’t be called democratic nation.
Q3. How do people elect their representatives in China?
Ans. In China elections are held after every 5 years for electing
the country’s Parliament called National People’s Congress.
