April 10, 2026
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Chapter 1: Democracy in the Contemporary World
Complete NCERT Solutions (Exercise) | CBSE Class 9 Social Science Political Science
NCERT Exercise Questions
11 markNCERT Page 19
Which of the following does not lead to the spread of democracy?
(a) Struggle by the people
(b) Invasion by foreign countries
(c) End of colonialism
(d) People’s desire for freedom
(a) Struggle by the people
(b) Invasion by foreign countries
(c) End of colonialism
(d) People’s desire for freedom
Answer: (b) Invasion by foreign countries.
Democracy cannot be successfully imposed by foreign invasion. It spreads mainly through people’s struggles, their desire for freedom and the end of colonial rule.
Democracy cannot be successfully imposed by foreign invasion. It spreads mainly through people’s struggles, their desire for freedom and the end of colonial rule.
21 markNCERT Page 19
Which of the following statements is true about today’s world?
(a) Monarchy as a form of government has vanished.
(b) The relationship between different countries has become more democratic than ever before.
(c) In more and more countries rulers are being elected by the people.
(d) There are no more military dictators in the world.
(a) Monarchy as a form of government has vanished.
(b) The relationship between different countries has become more democratic than ever before.
(c) In more and more countries rulers are being elected by the people.
(d) There are no more military dictators in the world.
Answer: (c) In more and more countries rulers are being elected by the people.
31 markNCERT Page 20
Use one of the following statements to complete the sentence:
Democracy in the international organisations requires that …
(a) The rich countries should have a greater say.
(b) Countries should have a say according to their military power.
(c) Countries should be treated with respect in proportion to their population.
(d) All countries in the world should be treated equally.
Democracy in the international organisations requires that …
(a) The rich countries should have a greater say.
(b) Countries should have a say according to their military power.
(c) Countries should be treated with respect in proportion to their population.
(d) All countries in the world should be treated equally.
Answer: (d) All countries in the world should be treated equally.
Match the Following
43 marksNCERT Page 20
Based on the information given in this chapter, match the following countries and the path democracy has taken in that country.
Answer:
| Country | Path to Democracy |
|---|---|
| Chile | End of military dictatorship |
| Nepal | King agreed to give up his powers |
| Poland | End of one-party rule |
| Ghana | Freedom from British colonial rule |
Short Answer Questions
55 marksNCERT Page 20
What are the difficulties people face in a non-democratic country? Give answers drawing from the examples given in this chapter.
Answer: People face many difficulties in a non-democratic country:
(i) They cannot freely choose or change their rulers.
(ii) They do not enjoy real freedom of speech and expression.
(iii) Political opposition is often suppressed by the government.
(iv) People cannot freely form political associations, trade unions or protest movements.
(v) The media may be censored and criticism of the government may be punished.
(vi) People may be arrested, tortured or killed for opposing the rulers.
For example, under Pinochet’s military rule in Chile, many supporters of democracy were tortured, killed or reported missing. In Poland under communist rule, independent trade unions were not allowed, political prisoners were jailed and freedom to organise protests was taken away.
(i) They cannot freely choose or change their rulers.
(ii) They do not enjoy real freedom of speech and expression.
(iii) Political opposition is often suppressed by the government.
(iv) People cannot freely form political associations, trade unions or protest movements.
(v) The media may be censored and criticism of the government may be punished.
(vi) People may be arrested, tortured or killed for opposing the rulers.
For example, under Pinochet’s military rule in Chile, many supporters of democracy were tortured, killed or reported missing. In Poland under communist rule, independent trade unions were not allowed, political prisoners were jailed and freedom to organise protests was taken away.
63 marksNCERT Page 20
Which freedoms are usually taken away when a democracy is overthrown by the military?
Answer: When a democracy is overthrown by the military, the following freedoms are usually taken away:
(i) Freedom to elect or change rulers through free elections.
(ii) Freedom of speech and expression.
(iii) Freedom of the press and media.
(iv) Freedom to form political parties, associations and trade unions.
(v) Freedom to organise protests, strikes and political action.
(vi) Protection from arbitrary arrest, torture and detention.
In such a situation, power shifts from elected representatives to military officers, and citizens lose basic political rights.
(i) Freedom to elect or change rulers through free elections.
(ii) Freedom of speech and expression.
(iii) Freedom of the press and media.
(iv) Freedom to form political parties, associations and trade unions.
(v) Freedom to organise protests, strikes and political action.
(vi) Protection from arbitrary arrest, torture and detention.
In such a situation, power shifts from elected representatives to military officers, and citizens lose basic political rights.
Democracy at Global Level
75 marksNCERT Page 20
Which of the following positions can contribute to democracy at the global level? Give reasons for your answer in each case.
(a) My country gives more money to international institutions. Therefore, I want to be treated with more respect and exercise more power.
(b) My country may be small or poor. But my voice must be heard with equal respect, because these decisions will affect my country.
(c) Wealthy nations will have a greater say in international affairs. They cannot let their interests suffer just because they are outnumbered by poor nations.
(d) Big countries like India must have a greater say in international organisations.
(a) My country gives more money to international institutions. Therefore, I want to be treated with more respect and exercise more power.
(b) My country may be small or poor. But my voice must be heard with equal respect, because these decisions will affect my country.
(c) Wealthy nations will have a greater say in international affairs. They cannot let their interests suffer just because they are outnumbered by poor nations.
(d) Big countries like India must have a greater say in international organisations.
Answer:
(a) Does not contribute to democracy. Giving more money should not mean having more political power. Democracy is based on equality, not wealth.
(b) Contributes to democracy. This position supports equal respect for all countries, including small and poor countries. Decisions made by international organisations affect all countries, so all must have a fair voice.
(c) Does not contribute to democracy. This gives unfair power to wealthy nations and ignores the voice of poorer countries. It supports domination by rich countries, not democratic equality.
(d) Partly democratic only if based on population, but not if based merely on size or power. In democracy, representation may consider population. However, big countries should not dominate international organisations simply because they are large or powerful. A democratic global system should balance fair representation with equal respect for all countries.
(a) Does not contribute to democracy. Giving more money should not mean having more political power. Democracy is based on equality, not wealth.
(b) Contributes to democracy. This position supports equal respect for all countries, including small and poor countries. Decisions made by international organisations affect all countries, so all must have a fair voice.
(c) Does not contribute to democracy. This gives unfair power to wealthy nations and ignores the voice of poorer countries. It supports domination by rich countries, not democratic equality.
(d) Partly democratic only if based on population, but not if based merely on size or power. In democracy, representation may consider population. However, big countries should not dominate international organisations simply because they are large or powerful. A democratic global system should balance fair representation with equal respect for all countries.
85 marksNCERT Page 20
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.
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 partly agree with Guest 1 and Guest 2, but I do not agree with Guest 3.
India, as a democracy, can support the democratic aspirations of the people of Nepal through peaceful and diplomatic means. It can express moral support for democracy, human rights and people’s freedom. However, democracy should not be imposed by military force or external control. In that sense, Guest 2 is right that no outside force can force democracy on another country.
I disagree with Guest 3 because democracy and human rights are important values. A democratic country should not look only at business interests while ignoring people’s struggle for freedom and democratic rights.
India, as a democracy, can support the democratic aspirations of the people of Nepal through peaceful and diplomatic means. It can express moral support for democracy, human rights and people’s freedom. However, democracy should not be imposed by military force or external control. In that sense, Guest 2 is right that no outside force can force democracy on another country.
I disagree with Guest 3 because democracy and human rights are important values. A democratic country should not look only at business interests while ignoring people’s struggle for freedom and democratic rights.
Passage-Based Question
95 marksNCERT Page 21
In an imaginary country called Happyland, the people overthrew the foreign ruler and brought back the old royal family. They said: “After all their ancestors were our kings before foreigners started ruling us. It is good that we have one strong ruler, who can help us become rich and powerful”. When someone talked about democracy the wise men said it is a foreign idea. Their struggle was to throw the foreigners and their ideas out of the country. When someone demanded freedom for the media, the elders thought that too much criticism of the ruler would not help them improve their living standards. “After all, the king is so kind and interested in the welfare of all the subjects. Why create problems for him. Don’t we all want to be happy?”
After reading the above passage, Chaman, Champa and Chandru made the following observations:
Chaman: Happyland is a democratic country because people were able to throw out the foreign rulers and bring back the king.
Champa: Happyland is not a democratic country because people cannot criticise the ruler. The king may be nice and may provide economic prosperity, but a king cannot give a democratic rule.
Chandru: What people need is happiness. So they are willing to allow their new ruler to take decisions for them. If people are happy it must be a democracy.
What is your opinion about each of these statements? What do you think about the form of government in this country?
After reading the above passage, Chaman, Champa and Chandru made the following observations:
Chaman: Happyland is a democratic country because people were able to throw out the foreign rulers and bring back the king.
Champa: Happyland is not a democratic country because people cannot criticise the ruler. The king may be nice and may provide economic prosperity, but a king cannot give a democratic rule.
Chandru: What people need is happiness. So they are willing to allow their new ruler to take decisions for them. If people are happy it must be a democracy.
What is your opinion about each of these statements? What do you think about the form of government in this country?
Answer:
Chaman’s statement is incorrect. Removing foreign rule does not automatically make a country democratic. Democracy requires elected rulers, political freedom and the right of people to criticise and change the government.
Champa’s statement is correct. If people cannot criticise the ruler and the media is not free, the country cannot be called democratic. A kind or welfare-oriented king is still not a democratic ruler because he is not elected by the people.
Chandru’s statement is incorrect. Happiness or economic prosperity alone does not make a country democratic. Democracy requires people’s participation, freedom of expression, accountability and the right to choose rulers.
Form of government: Happyland is a monarchy, not a democracy. The country is ruled by a king from the old royal family, and people do not enjoy basic democratic freedoms.
Chaman’s statement is incorrect. Removing foreign rule does not automatically make a country democratic. Democracy requires elected rulers, political freedom and the right of people to criticise and change the government.
Champa’s statement is correct. If people cannot criticise the ruler and the media is not free, the country cannot be called democratic. A kind or welfare-oriented king is still not a democratic ruler because he is not elected by the people.
Chandru’s statement is incorrect. Happiness or economic prosperity alone does not make a country democratic. Democracy requires people’s participation, freedom of expression, accountability and the right to choose rulers.
Form of government: Happyland is a monarchy, not a democracy. The country is ruled by a king from the old royal family, and people do not enjoy basic democratic freedoms.
Project / Activity
ActivityProjectNCERT Page 21
Form different groups in your class and collect different types of information such as news clippings, articles, photographs and cartoons about struggles for democracy in any country that is currently not democratic. Focus on the following questions:
(i) What makes the government non-democratic?
(ii) What are the main complaints and demands of the people in that country?
(iii) How do the existing rulers react to people’s demands?
(iv) Who are the main leaders of the struggle for democracy?
Present the information in the form of an exhibition, collage, report or wallpaper.
(i) What makes the government non-democratic?
(ii) What are the main complaints and demands of the people in that country?
(iii) How do the existing rulers react to people’s demands?
(iv) Who are the main leaders of the struggle for democracy?
Present the information in the form of an exhibition, collage, report or wallpaper.
NCERT Activity: This is a project-based activity. Students should choose a country where democracy is absent or weak, collect reliable information from newspapers, magazines or trusted online sources, and present the findings creatively.
Suggested approach:
(i) Select one country where rulers are not freely elected or citizens lack political freedom.
(ii) Collect news clippings, photographs, reports, maps and cartoons related to the struggle for democracy.
(iii) Explain how the government restricts elections, media, protests or political parties.
(iv) Mention the demands of the people, such as free elections, civil liberties, press freedom and accountable government.
(v) Present the work as a classroom wall magazine, collage, poster or short report.
Suggested approach:
(i) Select one country where rulers are not freely elected or citizens lack political freedom.
(ii) Collect news clippings, photographs, reports, maps and cartoons related to the struggle for democracy.
(iii) Explain how the government restricts elections, media, protests or political parties.
(iv) Mention the demands of the people, such as free elections, civil liberties, press freedom and accountable government.
(v) Present the work as a classroom wall magazine, collage, poster or short report.
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