PICTURE QUESTIONS CHAPTER 1 WHAT IS DEMOCRACY_ WHY DEMOCRACY_.pptx

PICTURE QUESTIONS
CHAPTER 1 WHAT IS DEMOCRACY? WHY DEMOCRACY?

PICTURE 1
1. What does the cartoon depict? Or What do
you think this cartoon is saying?
2. Why is the word ‘democracy’ written in this
way in the cartoon?
3. What is the role of the army in the cartoon?
4. Name the countries which are referred to in
this cartoon.
5. Which event is depicted in the picture?

SOLUTION OF PICTURE 1
1. The cartoon is portraying that democracy is being established in Iraq with the help of US
military power.
2. The 'M' in the word democracy looks like the logo of McDonald’s, an American MNC,
3. Army symbolises the Government of USA is going to dictate the events in Iraq. This was the
situation after the Gulf war.
4. The name of the country is Iraq and USA.
5. This cartoon was drawn when elections were held in Iraq with the presence of USA and other
foreign powers.

PICTURE 2
1. What does the picture depict?
2. Why do you think democracy is being stopped from
entering Syria?
3. Name the leader of the Ba’ath Party?
4. What is meant by one party rule?
5. State one difference between one party rule and
democracy.
6. Do you think this cartoon can be applicable to China
and Mexico?
7. What the crown of leaves on the head signify?

1. Syria is a small country in West Asia. The ruling party that is the Ba'ath party and some of its
small allies are the only parties allowed in that country.
2. The government was a dictatorial form of government hence democracy or democratic
principles were not allowed in the country.
3. Saddam Hussein was the leader of the party, played key role in the 1968 coup that brought
the party to power. Power of the Government is concentrated in the hands of the few leaders
and one political party (Ba’ath Party).
4. The one-party dominant state is a system of majority rule where one political party has
successively won election victories by a very large majority and is, therefore, the dominant
ruling party, which does not have to form coalitions (alliances) with other smaller political
parties as a result.
5. Differences:- In a democracy there are multiple or many parties present, there is no guarantee
that same political party will again come to power. Government can be formed of more than
one political party. There are more than one political parties present. However in one party
rule only one party is allowed to function without any opposition

6. Yes, this cartoon could be applied to China as well. The Communist Party or its
allied parties are allowed to contest elections. Before contesting election a
candidate needs the approval of the Chinese Communist Party. Therefore, China
cannot be called a true democracy.
Mexico has a multi party system. Apart from the Institutional revolutionary party
(PRI) there is National action party (NAP) and Party of the Democratic Revolution
(PDR). But, until 2000, every election was won by the PRI. The PRI was known to
use many dirty practices to win elections. So, the cartoon can also be applied to
Mexico until the election of 2000. (Now, a majority party called National
Regeneration Movement (MORENA) is ruling the country.)
7. The crown of leaves was worn as a sign of victory in ancient Greece
In the cartoon signifies that democracy has been victorious in some of the
countries of the world but it is not accepted by all in its true sense.

PICTURE 3
1. What does the image reveal?
2. Can there be free and fair elections in a military
dictatorship?
3. Do you think the cartoon applies to Pakistan
during General Pervez Musharraf’s rule?
4. Can this image be applicable to India as well?

1. This Cartoon describes the scene of booth capturing in elections by using arms.
2. There can be no free and fair elections in an military dictatorship. Voter will never be allowed
to exercise their right to vote.
3. This could be applicable to Pakistan. In Pakistan, the referendum held in 2002, granted
General Musharraf a five year extension. The Pakistani media, human rights organisations
and democracy activists said that the referendum was based on malpractices & fraud.
4. This could be applied to India too. Reports of booth capturing have sometimes been reported
during elections. The elections are cancelled and re-poll is conducted by the Election
Commission in such areas.

PICTURE 4
1. What do the moneybags in the cartoon signify?
2. Could this cartoon be applied to India?
3. What is meant by the term corruption?
4. Is bribing voters acceptable in elections?
5. How can the use of money in elections be
restricted?

1. This cartoon was titled building democracy and was first published in a Latin American
publication.
During elections, the political parties contesting elections spent a lot of money to win the
elections. Not only political parties, the government also spends a lot of money to conduct
free and fair elections. This cartoon depicts that elections can be won with the help of money
power.
2. Yes, this cartoon could be applied to India as well. In Indian elections money is used by the
candidates to bribe voters and win elections.
3. Corruption is a form of dishonesty or criminal offense undertaken by a person or
organization entrusted with a position of authority, to acquire illicit benefit or abuse power for
one's private gain.
4. No, bribing voters in elections is considered a wrong as it undermines the principles of
democracy.
5. By making strict laws. In India Election Commission checks the use of money in elections.

PICTURE 5
1. What is the cartoonist trying to convey with the
help of the image?
2. Who was Saddam Hussein?
3. Why is he shown behind bars in the image?
4. What is meant by one man one vote in reference
to the image?
5. Why do you think people are happy?

1. This cartoon is about the Iraqi election held after Saddam Hussein's regime was overthrown.
His rule ended and elections were conducted.
2. Saddam Hussein was the leader of the Baáth party, played key role in the 1968 coup that
brought the party to power.He ruled over Iraq as dictator till 2003.
3. Saddam Hussein is show behind bars to symbolise that people preferred democracy than his
dictatorial rule.
4. In the cartoon, people are demonstrating ‘Political Equality’ that is each adult citizen has one
vote each vote must have equal value. In contrast, Saddam Hussein, the dictator who ruled
Iraq for many years, is thinking about the earlier situation when he was the only one to decide
any matter.
5. People were able to exercise right to vote and choose their representatives.

PICTURE 6
1. Name the country referred in the image.
2. What does the image suggest?
3. Which event is depicted in the image?
4. State the form of government present in the
country.
5. Can this image be applicable to
democracies?
6. Discuss the features of a Communist form
of government.
7. Why is freedom of speech and expression
important in a democracy?

1. People’s Republic of China
2. Chinese government blocked free flow of information.
3. This cartoon reminds us of the massacre in Tiananmen Square in April 1989, triggered by the
death of Hu Yaobang, a liberal reformer, a mass gathering and protest took place in and
around Tiananmen Square in Beijing. It was largely a student’s demonstration which called for
economic reforms, freedom of the press and political liberalisation. The Chinese government
brutally suppressed the movement, for which it was internationally condemned.
4. Communist form of government.
5. No, in democracies citizens are free to voice their opinion or to organise protest.
6. A communist government is characterized by common ownership of the means of production
with free access to the articles of consumption and is classless and stateless, implying the end
of the exploitation of labour. It does not allow any opposition, only the Communist party is
allowed to exist.
7. Equality and freedom are the two pillars of democracy. Freedom of speech is necessary for the
development of individual personality and exercise of rights etc.

1. King of Bhutan has declared that in future he will be guided by the advice given to him by
elected representatives-This statement highlights the working of democracy where major
decisions are by elected leaders.
2. Many Tamil workers who migrated from India were not given a right to vote in Sri Lanka -This
statement shows denial of democracy as the principle of one person, one vote, one value is
violated.
3. The King of Nepal imposed a ban on political gatherings, demonstrations and rallies -The
statements suggests denial of democracy as there is no respect for rights and freedoms.
4. The Indian Supreme Court held that the dissolution of Bihar assembly was unconstitutional-
This statement shows working of democracy the concept rule of law and independence of
judiciary.
5. Political parties in Bangladesh have agreed that a neutral government should rule the country
at the time of elections -This statement highlights the working of democracy. The relevant to
the statement is free and fair electoral competition

PICTURE 8
1. Is it necessary for every dictatorship to
have a hidden side?
2. Briefly discuss about Sani Abacha in
Nigeria and Ferdinand Marcos in
Philippines.

1. The hidden side depicted by the cartoon is the brutal side of the dictator. Dictators like Hitler ordered mass
killings to eliminate 'undesirable' persons. Like Hitler, many dictators killed innocent people who were against
their regime.
No, it is not necessary for every dictatorship to have a hidden side. If the dictator really wants to work for the
betterment of the people, he does not need to have a hidden side.
Examples of other dictatorships are given below:
Under General Augusto Pinochet, a military coup took place in Chile on 11 September, 1973 in which President
Salvador Allende was killed. General Pinochet became the President of the country and ruled it for the next 17
years.
b.North Korea-Kim Jong-un is a North Korean politician who has been the Supreme Leader of North Korea since 2011 and
chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea since 2012. He is the second child of Kim Jong-il, who was North Korea's second leader from
1994 to 2011
2. General Sani Abacha was a Nigerian military dictator. He became the President of Nigeria from 1993 to 1998.
His regime was known for human rights violations and allegations of corruption. He hanged the famous
social activist Ken Saro- Wiwa. He did not allow democratic processes like elections in Nigeria. He was listed as
the world's fourth most corrupt leader in recent history.
Ferdinand Marcos was the President of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986. He implemented wide-ranging
programs of infrastructure development and economic reform. However, his administration was flawed by

PICTURE 9
1. What event is the image referring to?
2. Is this cartoon in favour or against
democracy?

1. This cartoon was published in Canada just before the Parliamentary
election of 2005. Everyone, including the cartoonist, expected the Liberal
Party to win once again. When the result came, the Liberal Party lost the
elections.
2. This cartoon is an argument for democracy. In democracy, the voters
decide in favour of or against the ruling party. Although the cartoonist
expected that the Liberal Party would win, he criticized the Liberal Party,
which he could do only in a democracy which gives its citizens freedom
of speech and expression.

PICTURE 10
1. What does the cartoon depict?
2. Name the cartoonist who created
the image.
3. How many images on the wall do
you recognise?
4. Do many people feel the same way
as the common man in this cartoon
does? Give two reasons in support
of your argument.

1. The cartoon depicts celebration of the fifty years of Independence.
2. This famous cartoon is made by RK Laxman.
3. A. Images on the wall are the images of former Prime Ministers of India. They were Pandit
Jawaharlal Nehru, Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri, Shri Gulzari Lal Nanda, Mrs Indira Gandhi, Morarji
Desai, Chaudhary Charan Singh, Rajiv Gandhi, Mr VP Singh, Shri Chandrashekhar, Mr
Narasimha Rao and Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
4. B. Yes, many common people feel the way the common man in this cartoon does. After 50
glorious years of independence, the condition of the common man has changed very little.
The same claims and promises of the politicians have been made over the years; these have
become meaningless to the common man, so he fell asleep while hearing this again. It seems
to be a true picture of our democracy.

Answers of the Text 11 and 12
Text 11- A. Country A is undemocratic as as the principle of secularism is compromised.
B. Country B is undemocratic as same party is coming to power.
C. Country C is democratic as people has voted the ruling party out of power
D. Country D is undemocratic in order to conduct free and fair elections it is necessary to have
an independent election commission.
Text 12-A. Country P is undemocratic as decisions making requires the consent of the army.
B. Country Q is democratic as rule of the Constitution is observed and there is balance of
power.
C. Country R is undemocratic as the country is not sovereign or take decisions on its own.
D. Country S is undemocratic as the policy makers are not elected..

Answer of the text 13, 14 and 15
Text 13 a. First part of the statement is democratic where law making is done by the Parliament.But
second part of WTO is suggesting undemocratic feature where laws have to be made in accordance
to WTO.
b. The Election Commission ordered a repoll is democratic by rigging suggest undemocratic
element.
c. Low women representation suggest undemocratic element but the demand for one third seats is
democratic.
Text 14. D is not a valid reason as religion has no connection with famine.
Text 15. D is not democratic method as the villagers are promoting corruption.

Answer of the text 16 and 17
Text 16. A. In this statement the rulers are not elected by the people.
b.Democracy is rule of majority with respect for minority rights. A democracy represents all the
sections of the society even illiterate and poor people can realize what is good for them therefore
democracy means equal opportunity to all without any discrimination.
C. In secular state like India we should not mix religion with politics. The religious leaders may
guide us in spiritual matters but they may not have any experience of governance
Text 17. a.The statement is not democratic, in a democracy people are free to choose.
b.This statement suggest an undemocratic class as teacher is not allowing the students to ask
questions.
c.Democratic statement as the employee is demanding his right.

Answer of text 18
a. The statement is suggesting a feature of democratic government.
b. The statement is suggesting undemocratic value as democratic
governments are welfare governments.
c. The statement is suggesting undemocratic value as in a democracy
there is respect for minorities and minorities have rights guaranteed by
the Constitution.
d. The statement is suggesting undemocratic value as in democracy people
are free to voice their opinion and express their views.
e. The statement is suggesting undemocratic value, media is considered as
the fourth pillar of democracy. In democracy media should be
independent from the control of the government.

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