CBSE Class 10 Social Science Civics Challenges to Democracy Assignment

Question : What are the basic rights of citizens for exercising voting rights?

Answer : 1. The rulers elected by the people must take all the major decisions.

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

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

          4. The exercise of this choice must lead to a govt. limited by basic rules of the constitution and citizens right.

Question : How is the challenge of deepening of democracy faced by every democracy?

Answer :  1. This involves string tuning of the institutions and practices of democracy.

          2. This should happen in such a way that people can realize their expectations of democracy.

          3. In general terms, it usually means string tuning those institutions that help people’s participation and control.

          4. This requires an attempt to bring down the control and influence of the rich and powerful people in making governmental decisions.

Question : Enumerate there challenges which democracies in the world face today.

Answer :  1. Fundamental challenge — Those countries which do not have democratic form of govt. face the fundamental challenge of establishing democracy in the country.

          2. Challenge of Expansion.—Countries having democratic setup face the challenge of expansion.

          3. Deepening of Democracy – This challenge is faced by almost all the democracies. This involves strengthening of the institutions and practices of democracies.

Question : What does fundamental challenge to democracy mean? Which two aspects are included in this challenge?

Answer : Those countries which do not have democratic form of govt. face the foundational challenge of establishing democracy in the country. This involves bringing down the existing non-democratic govt. to keep the military away from capturing power and establishing a sovereign democratic state. 

Question : How would you like to expand the definition of democracy? Explain.

Answer :  Definition of democracy shall be expanded by adding following features :

(i) The government elected by the people must take all the decisions freely and fairly.

(ii) Elections must offer a choice and fair opportunity to the people to change the current rulers.

(iii) The choice and opportunity should be available to all the people equally.

(iv) The exercise of this choice must lead to a government limited by the basic rules of the constitution and citizen’s rights.

Question : Which three challenges do you feel are being faced by political parties in India? Give your opinion.

Answer :  The three challenges faced by political parties in India that needs correction are :

(a) Lack of internal democracy

(b) Challenge of dynastic succession

(c) Growing role of money and muscle power

Question : “Lack of internal democracy within parties is the major challenge to political parties all over the world.” Analyse the statements.

Answer :  Lack of internal democracy is a serious issue in Indian democracy.

(i) Tendency in political parties towards the concentration of power in one or few leaders at the top is a problem. This also triggers family hold over the political party.

(ii) Parties do not keep membership records.

(iii) They do not hold organizational meetings.

(iv) They do not conduct internal elections regularly.

(v) Ordinary members of the party do not get sufficient information about the happening in the party.

(vi) Personal loyalty to the leader becomes more important than actual work done.

Question : Explain three foundational challenges faced by democracies.

Answer :  Foundational challenges faced by democracies are :

(i) Making the transition to democracy from other forms of rule and then instituting democratic government.

(ii) This involves bringing down the existing non democratic regime, keeping military away from controlling government and establishing a sovereign and functional state.

(iii) For example : Democratic Government of Nepal.

Question : Explain any four forms of casteism in Indian politics.

Answer :  Casteism is rooted in the belief that caste is the sole basis of social community. Caste can take various forms in Indian politics.

(i) When parties choose candidates in elections, they keep in mind the caste composition of the electorate in a constituency. They select their candidates accordingly so as to get necessary support to win elections.

(ii) When governments are formed, political party takes care that representatives of particular castes and tribes should get a place in the ministry.

(iii) During the campaigning, political parties and candidates make appeals to people to give their votes on the basis of caste. Some political parties are known to favor particular castes and are seen as their representatives.

(iv) The candidates focus on pockets of voters of favored caste; with promises of favoring them when they come in power.

Question : Explain any five major challenges being faced by the Indian democracy.

Answer :  Major challenges are :

The challenges faced by Indian democracy are of deepening and of expansion in nature viz.

(a) Poverty illiteracy, unemployment are prevalent ever after 72 years of independence and democratic rule.

(b) Caste and gender discrimination is rampant in our society.

(c) There are frequent reports of political corruption.

(d) Political battles are fought with the use of muscle and money power.

(e) The weaker sections still have to be given reservation even after 72 years of democracy.