chapter 1 democracy in the contemporary world

CHAPTER 1 Democracy in the Contemporary World

·         Allende was the founder leader of the Socialist Party of Chile and led the Popular Unity coalition to victory in the presidential election in 1970.

·         The landlords, the rich and the Church opposed his policies. General Augusto Pinochet (pronounced Pinoshe), an Army general, led the coup. The government of the United States of America was unhappy with Allende’s rule and is known to have supported and funded activities that led to the coup. Pinochet became the President of the country and ruled it for the next 17 years.

·         In the year 1990 Solidarity won the elections and came to power in Poland. Lech Walesa became the President.

Features of Democracy

1.       Only the leaders elected by the people can rule the country.

2.       Freedom to organise, freedom to protest and freedom of expression are the rights guaranteed to the people.

1975- 2000 is the most imp period in the expansion of democracy.

Ans 7- (b) Yes, the statement supports democracy. The basic objective of democracy is to provide equality and it should work the betterment for all sections of the society.

(c) No, it does not contribute to the spirit of democracy. Democracy ensures equal opportunities for both poor and rich. Otherwise, international policies will be governed by the rich countries.

(d) No, it does not support democracy fully. India being developing nation and the most populous  state, represent the voice of the masses. Her opinions must be valued and heard at international arena, but any country should not be privileged based on geographical or population size.

Q: Which East European countries were ruled by the communist parties in 1980s?

Answer: East European countries ruled by the communist parties in 1980s were:

1. Poland
2. Russia
3. Ukraine
4. Romania
5. Bulgaria

Q: Here are three opinions heard in a television debate on the struggle for democracy in Nepal. Which of these do you agree with and why?

Guest 1: India is a democracy. Therefore, the Indian government must support the people of Nepal who are struggling against monarchy and for democracy.

Guest 2: That is a dangerous argument. We would be in the same position as the US was in Iraq. Remember, no outside force can promote democracy.

Guest 3: But why should we bother about the internal affairs of another country? We should be worried about our business interests there, not about democracy.

Answer: I agree with Statement made by Guest 1. India became a democratic republic after a long struggle for Independence. It values democratic principles and has been a promoter of peace and non-violence. By following democratic and non-violent approaches at international forum (e.g. public opinion, debates etc.) it can support people of Nepal restore democracy.

Q imp: Which one of the following is the best way to establish democracy in a country?
(a) Foreign aggression by a democratic country
(b) People’s struggle within their own country.
(c) Resolution by the U.N. General Assembly.
(d) Voluntary support by the majority of the people.

Answer: (d) Voluntary support by the majority of the people.

Q: What reforms were carried out by Allende in Chile?  How was it taken by opposition parties?

Answer: Allende as the president of Chile introduced a number of social reforms. 

1. He took several policy decisions to help the poor and the workers.
2. He introduced reforms to the educational system. 
3. He provided free milk for children and redistribution of land to the landless farmers. 
4. He opposed to foreign companies taking away natural resources like copper from the country.

The rich, capitalists, the Church and the opposition parties were against his policies specially distribution of land to landless farmers and his opposition towards foreign companies.

Q: Why did USA support the military coup in Chile in 1973?

Answer: USA being a capitalist country was against the policies of socialist president Allende. They supported the military and the capitalists of Chile who were opposing Allende's social reforms.

Q Imp: A direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal.

(a) Plebiscite

(b) Referendum

(c) Recall

(d) Veto

Answer: (b) Referendum

Q: What did Allende hope for in his last address? 
Answer: During the coup, when democratic government was toppled, Allende addressed to his nation. He hoped that Democracy would be restored and felony, cowardice and treason would be finally punished.

Q: Why were women given voting rights much later than men in the most countries? Why did this not happen in India?

Answer: Although political struggle for democracy started since nineteenth century and many European countries became democratic by the beginning of the twentieth century. At that time women were not given voting rights, because they were not being considered equal. Their political representation was not  given enough importance. They were granted rights much later than men. In India this was not the case. The Constitution of India granted universal suffrage to all its citizens irrespective they belong to different gender or community or caste.
Q: What was the 'voting rights' situation in USA after she adopted constitution? When was universal adult franchise granted there?
Answer:  USA adopted constitution in 1787, but here too the right to vote was limited to very few men. In 1965, after a long struggle, universal adult franchise was granted to all citizens, including women and Afro-Americans.

Q: ‘The disintegration of the Soviet Union accelerated the process of expansion of democracy.’ Give reasons.

Answer: After 1980, the disintegration of the Soviet Union accelerated the process of democracy.

1. Soviet Union controlled several European countries and all of them were communist governments.
2. Poland and several other countries became free from the control of the Soviet Union during 1989-90. They chose to become democracies.
3. The Soviet Union comprised of 15 republics emerged as independent
   democratic countries after the USSR broke down.

Q: Who was Lech Walesa? How did he become famous in Poland?

Answer: Lech Walesa was a former electrician of Lenin Shipyard in the city of Gdansk. He joined and led the strikers who

• demanded for higher wages, 
• right to form independent trade unions, 
• the release of political prisoners and 
• an end to censorship on press.

Finally the Polish government gave in and signed 21-point agreement with Lech Walesa and his workers. A new trade union called Solidarity was formed under his leadership. General Jaruzeleski imposed martial law which led to another wave of strikes by Solidarity. Later in 1988, the union won elections with absolute majority and Walesa was elected as the president of Poland.

Q Imp: How democratic is the International Monetary Fund (IMF)?

Answer: 

1. IMF a special agency affiliated with United Nations has been one of the biggest moneylender for any country in the world.
2. Its working is not fairly democratic because its 185 members do not have equal voting rights.
3. The vote of each country is weighed by how much money it has contributed to the IMF. 
4. Since the top 10 developed countries have large contributions, they have a major say in IMF. These 10 countries have More than 54%of the voting power in the IMF. 
5. While the remaining 175 countries have negligible participation in IMF policy making. This is undemocratic.

Q: What happened to democracy in Ghana?

1. Ghana (earlier called Gold Coast), used to be a British Colony, got independent in 1957. 
2. Kwame Nkrumah, son of a goldsmith and himself a teacher played an active role in independence struggle.
3. After independence, he became first prime minister and then the president of Ghana.
4. Later he declared himself as elected president for life and established dictatorship.
5. In 1966, he was overthrown by the military and Ghana couldn’t remain a democratic nation for long.

Q: Which among the following was NOT the demand raised by striking workers in Poland?

(a) Right to form trade unions

(b) Release of Political Prisoners

(c) Stepping down of Communists

(d) End of censorship on press.

Answer: (c) Stepping down of Communists

Q:  Who among the following had replaced Salvador Allende?
(a) General Augusto Pinochet
(b) General Jeruzelski
(c) Lech Walesa
(d) Michelle Bachelet
Answer: (a) General Augusto Pinochet