CG Board Class 9 Social Science Chapter 12 Solutions: The Main Features of Democracy (लोकतंत्र की प्रमुख विशेषताएँ) – 2026-27

Between 1975 and 2000, several Eastern European nations and Southern European countries transitioned to democracy. These include Spain, Portugal, Greece, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Bulgaria, and the Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) following the collapse of authoritarian communist regimes and military dictatorships.

In South America, major nations that transitioned from military dictatorships to democratic governments after 1975 include Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay, Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador.

Countries that remained under non-democratic regimes (dictatorship, military rule, absolute monarchy, or single-party rule) as late as 2000 include Myanmar, China, North Korea, Libya, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Oman, Vietnam, Cuba, and Sudan.

The period between 1975 and 2000 (late 20th century) was the most important era for the global spread of democracy. During this quarter-century, the collapse of military dictatorships in Latin America, communist rule in Eastern Europe, and colonial/authoritarian regimes in parts of Asia and Africa led to a massive democratic wave across the world.

Similarities:** In both Libya (under Col. Gaddafi) and Myanmar (under Gen. Ne Win and the military junta), power was seized by military force rather than elected by citizens. Both lacked free elections, suppressed political opposition, and denied fundamental human rights.

• Differences: Libya was governed under Col. Gaddafi’s one-leader personal dictatorship supported by oil wealth, whereas Myanmar was ruled by an institutionalized military junta (tatmadaw) following the assassination of Aung San.
• Why Dictatorships: They are called dictatorships because the rulers were self-appointed military leaders, not chosen by the people, held absolute power without constitutional limits, and were not accountable to any parliament or elected body.

In the absence of democracy, citizens were deprived of:

1. The right to vote and choose or change their government.
2. Right to freedom of speech, expression, and independent press.
3. Freedom to form political parties, associations, or trade unions.
4. Protection against arbitrary arrest and access to an independent judiciary under the rule of law.

If Gaddafi had built and strengthened democratic institutions, Libyans would have enjoyed fundamental human rights, civil liberties, and economic equity. Oil revenues would have been used transparently through parliamentary approval for public welfare rather than personal rule, preventing civil war and social instability.

In a democracy, citizens can change their government during periodic elections if the ruling government acts arbitrarily, fails to fulfill public needs, violates constitutional laws, engages in corruption, or loses public trust.

Elections are held at fixed intervals (e.g., 5 years in India) to ensure that the government remains accountable to the people and does not become permanent or authoritarian. Periodic elections allow citizens to evaluate performance and exercise ultimate political power.

A multi-party system provides voters with genuine choices, different policy alternatives, and ideological choices. It prevents one-party dictatorship and allows opposition parties to critique government actions, keeping elections free, fair, and competitive.

No restrictive conditions based on property, wealth, gender, religion, or literacy should exist, as that would destroy political equality. The only reasonable universal criteria are reaching the legal age of adulthood (18 years in India) and sound mental/legal standing.

Political equality is the bedrock of democracy. It means “One Person, One Vote, One Value”, where every adult citizen’s vote carries equal weight regardless of wealth, social status, caste, or education.

In India, Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were first introduced on an experimental basis in 1982 in Kerala (Paravur constituency), widely tested in 1998, and used completely across all Lok Sabha constituencies in the 2004 General Elections.

Citizens participate by voting, writing articles in newspapers, presenting memorandums, participating in TV/internet debates, holding seminars/rallies, and joining civil society groups to influence policy decisions.

No. Citizen apathy is the greatest enemy of democracy. Active participation keeps rulers accountable, transparent, and responsive to public needs.

Examples include breaking traffic rules, bribe taking by officials, illegal deforestation/encroachment, child labor, and discriminatory treatment during public services.

Without human rights (freedom of expression, association, and speech), citizens fear state repression, preventing honest debate, opposition, or participation in political life.

A minority refers to a smaller population group distinguished by race, religion, language, culture, or region relative to the larger majority group. Example: In Belgium, Dutch speakers are a national majority (59%), but in the capital city Brussels, Dutch speakers form a minority (20%) while French speakers are the majority (80%).

Inclusion means designing democratic decision-making processes so that minorities and dissenting groups share equal representation and power, preventing alienation. Example: Belgium mandated equal numbers of Dutch and French ministers in its central cabinet and required majority approval from both language groups for key laws.

A Democratic form of government is better than other forms because this government is more accountable. Democratic citizens have dignity. Democracy has scope to reform and correct its mistakes. This is why democracy is considered the best system of government.

b) the people / ब) जनता द्वारा

c) the military junta / स) सैन्य जुंटा (सैन्य शासक)

d) democracy / द) लोकतंत्र

• English Step-by-Step Answer:

A dictatorship is a form of government where absolute political power is concentrated in the hands of a single leader, a military junta, or a single political party without the consent of the citizens:

1. Self-Appointed Power: Rulers seize power through force or military coups rather than through free public elections.
2. Lack of Accountability: The government is not accountable to parliament, courts, or citizens.
3. Suppression of Rights: Citizens are deprived of basic human rights, civil liberties, and an independent media.

• हिंदी चरण-दर-चरण उत्तर:

तानाशाही या अधिनायकतंत्र शासन का वह रूप है जहाँ पूरी राजनीतिक सत्ता जनता की सहमति के बिना किसी एक व्यक्ति, सैन्य जुंटा या एक राजनीतिक दल के हाथों में केंद्रित होती है:

1. स्वयं-हथियाई सत्ता: शासक स्वतंत्र चुनाव के बजाय बल प्रयोग या सैन्य तख्तापलट के जरिए सत्ता हासिल करते हैं।
2. जवाबदेही का अभाव: सरकार संसद, अदालतों या जनता के प्रति जवाबदेह नहीं होती।
3. अधिकारों का दमन: नागरिकों को मौलिक अधिकारों, नागरिक स्वतंत्रताओं और स्वतंत्र मीडिया से वंचित रखा जाता है।

• English Step-by-Step Answer:

The military junta in both Libya and Myanmar was not accountable to anyone:

1. They seized power by force and did not seek election or mandate from the people.
2. They suspended constitutions, dissolved elected assemblies, and exercised absolute unchecked authority.

• हिंदी चरण-दर-चरण उत्तर:

लीबिया और म्यांमार में सैन्य जुंटा किसी के भी प्रति जवाबदेह नहीं था:

1. उन्होंने बलपूर्वक सत्ता हथियाई थी और जनता से कोई जनादेश या चुनाव नहीं कराया था।
2. उन्होंने संविधान को निलंबित किया, चुनी हुई विधानसभाओं को भंग किया और असीमित शक्ति का प्रयोग किया।

• English Step-by-Step Answer:

People’s participation means active involvement of citizens in governance and decision-making:

1. Voting: Casting votes in periodic elections to elect or change representatives.
2. Public Discourse: Writing in newspapers, filing memorandums, participating in television/internet debates, workshops, and civil discussions.
3. Monitoring Policies: Expressing public opinion to ensure laws reflect society’s welfare.

• हिंदी चरण-दर-चरण उत्तर:

जन-भागीदारी का अर्थ शासन और निर्णय प्रक्रिया में नागरिकों की सक्रिय भागीदारी है:

1. मतदान: प्रतिनिधियों को चुनने या बदलने के लिए चुनावों में वोट देना।
2. सार्वजनिक संवाद: समाचार पत्रों में लिखना, ज्ञापन सौंपना, टीवी व इंटरनेट बहसों और कार्यशालाओं में भाग लेना।
3. नीतियों की निगरानी: जनमत व्यक्त करके यह सुनिश्चित करना कि कानून समाज के कल्याण के अनुकूल बनें।

• English Step-by-Step Answer:

An elected democratic government cannot act arbitrarily because:

1. Rule of Law: It must function strictly according to the Constitution and established laws.
2. Accountability: The executive is answerable to the Parliament/Legislature and the independent Judiciary.
3. Periodic Elections: Acting arbitrarily will cause the government to lose public trust and be voted out in the next election.

• हिंदी चरण-दर-चरण उत्तर:

लोकतांत्रिक रूप से चुनी गई सरकार मनमाना कार्य नहीं कर सकती क्योंकि:

1. कानून का शासन: उसे संविधान और स्थापित कानूनों के अनुसार ही कार्य करना पड़ता है।
2. जवाबदेही: कार्यपालिका संसद/विधायिका और स्वतंत्र न्यायपालिका के प्रति जवाबदेह होती है।
3. आवधिक चुनाव: मनमाना कार्य करने पर सरकार जनता का विश्वास खो देगी और अगले चुनाव में बेदखल कर दी जाएगी।

• English Step-by-Step Answer:

The core characteristics of a democracy include:

1. Accountable Government: Elected representatives are answerable to the people and parliament.
2. Free and Fair Elections: Conducted by an independent election commission at fixed intervals.
3. Universal Adult Franchise: Political equality based on “One Person, One Vote, One Value”.
4. Rule of Law & Human Rights: Laws apply equally to all, protected by an independent judiciary and constitutional rights.
5. Inclusiveness & Protection of Minorities: Respecting diversity and guaranteeing minority rights.

• हिंदी चरण-दर-चरण उत्तर:

लोकतंत्र की प्रमुख विशेषताओं में शामिल हैं:

1. जवाबदेह सरकार: चुने गए प्रतिनिधि जनता और संसद के प्रति जवाबदेह होते हैं।
2. स्वतंत्र एवं निष्पक्ष चुनाव: स्वतंत्र चुनाव आयोग द्वारा नियत अंतराल पर आयोजित किए जाते हैं।
3. सार्वभौमिक वयस्क मताधिकार: “एक व्यक्ति, एक वोट, एक मूल्य” पर आधारित राजनीतिक समानता।
4. कानून का शासन एवं मानव अधिकार: स्वतंत्र न्यायपालिका और संवैधानिक अधिकारों द्वारा संरक्षित सभी के लिए समान कानून।
5. समावेशिता एवं अल्पसंख्यकों की सुरक्षा: विविधता का सम्मान और अल्पसंख्यकों के अधिकारों की गारंटी।

• English Step-by-Step Answer:
• Conclusion: Democracy has far more positive qualities than negative ones because its flaws (like delay or election expenses) can be corrected over time through reforms.
• Comparative List:
• हिंदी चरण-दर-चरण उत्तर:
• निष्कर्ष: लोकतंत्र में नकारात्मक पहलुओं की तुलना में सकारात्मक गुण बहुत अधिक हैं क्योंकि इसकी कमियों (जैसे निर्णयों में देरी या चुनावी खर्च) को समय के साथ चुनावी और विधायी सुधारों द्वारा ठीक किया जा सकता है।
• तुलनात्मक सूची:

• English Step-by-Step Answer:

To ensure free and fair elections, the following essential arrangements are required:

1. Independent Election Commission: An autonomous constitutional body free from government interference.
2. Multi-Party System: Permitting multiple political parties to contest without restrictions.
3. Universal Adult Franchise: Ensuring every adult citizen aged 18+ can register and vote freely.
4. Strict Code of Conduct: Preventing misuse of official government machinery, money power, or muscle power.
5. Secure Voting Machinery: Widespread use of tamper-proof Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and VVPATs with secret balloting.

• हिंदी चरण-दर-चरण उत्तर:

स्वतंत्र एवं निष्पक्ष चुनाव सुनिश्चित करने के लिए निम्नलिखित आवश्यक व्यवस्थाएं आवश्यक हैं:

1. स्वतंत्र चुनाव आयोग: एक स्वायत्त संवैधानिक निकाय जो सरकारी हस्तक्षेप से मुक्त हो।
2. बहुदलीय प्रणाली: बिना किसी प्रतिबंध के कई राजनीतिक दलों को चुनाव लड़ने की अनुमति देना।
3. सार्वभौमिक वयस्क मताधिकार: 18 वर्ष से अधिक आयु के सभी नागरिकों के पंजीकरण और गुप्त मतदान की गारंटी देना।
4. सख्त आचार संहिता: सरकारी तंत्र, धनबल और बाहुबल के दुरुपयोग पर रोक लगाना।
5. सुरक्षित मतदान तकनीक: गुप्त मतदान के साथ इलेक्ट्रॉनिक वोटिंग मशीन (EVM) का पारदर्शी उपयोग।