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In short:
Power in a democracy comes from the citizens, and the Constitution sets down how they use it.
What democracy means
Citizens
the source of power
Elect representatives
free and fair elections
↓
Democracy - a government chosen by the people themselves
Let us compare Government in India vs Government in UAE
India and the UAE
two forms of government
India
Many political parties
People elect the government
Example:
a DEMOCRACY
UAE
No political parties
Run by the hereditary Sheikhs
Example:
a MONARCHY
| Point | India | UAE |
|---|---|---|
| Political parties | Many | None (banned) |
| Government chosen by | The people, through elections | The Sheikhs (hereditary rulers) |
| Form of government | Democracy | Monarchy |
- So India is a democracy.
- So the UAE is not a democracy.
- It is a monarchy .
- UAE is not in the NCERT chapter.
- Added only for comparison.
What is Democracy?
- Democracy is a form of government chosen by the people themselves.
- Democracy is a form of government in which the source of power and authority lies with the citizens of the country, who elect their representatives through free and fair elections .
What are the important points of Democracy?
- Power comes from the citizens , not from birth or force.
- People elect representatives to govern for them.
- Elections must be free (no pressure) and fair (honest counting).
- Founded on freedom, equality, justice, rights and duties .
- Citizens get the right to vote, to express opinions, and to participate in decision-making.
Why is India called a Democracy? (Main Features of Indian Democracy)
Why India is a democracy
Over 140 crore
people
Over 96.8 crore
registered voters (2024)
National, state, local
elections at three levels
↓
The world's largest participatory democracy
Point of democracy
Feature of Indian democracy
Power lies with citizens
World's largest
participatory democracy
- over 140 crore people
People elect representatives
Elections at national, state and local levels
Free and fair elections
Over
96.8 crore
registered voters (2024)
Freedom, equality, justice, rights and duties
Constitution of India guarantees and protects Fundamental Rights
Equality of citizens
No discrimination on religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth
What is the role of the Constitution in Indian Democracy?
What the Constitution does
Guarantees
promises the rights
Protects
defends them if threatened
Forbids discrimination
on five grounds
↓
The country's highest rule book
- It safeguards the rights of the people in a democracy.
- It guarantees and protects the Fundamental Rights of all citizens.
-
It ensures
no discrimination
on the basis of:
- religion
- race
- caste
- sex
- place of birth
- It encourages active citizen participation - through elections at the national, state and local levels.
- The six Fundamental Rights are covered in detail later, under Principles of Democracy .
What are the two key dates of the Constitution of India?
| Date | What happened | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 26 November 1949 | Constitution adopted | Approved |
| 26 January 1950 | Constitution came into force | Took effect |
- 26 January is celebrated as Republic Day .
Did democracy in India start after Independence, when the Constitution was adopted?
Did democracy begin in 1950?
1947
Independence
1949
Constitution adopted
1950
came into force
↓
These gave democracy its written form, not its beginning
- No.
- In the book's words: "The democratic ethos in India did not emerge suddenly; rather, it evolved through a long historical process."
- Ethos = the basic spirit and values of a society.
- 1949 and 1950 gave democracy its written form , not its beginning .
- Democratic ideas existed in India since early times.
Is democracy the same thing as elections?
Election or Democracy?
they are not the same thing
Election
One process - choosing representatives
Held periodically
Example:
the citizen's act is voting
Democracy
The whole system of self-governance
Works continuously
Example:
voting, plus participation, awareness and duties
- No.
- Elections are one part of democracy.
- Democracy also needs participation, awareness and duties, all year round.
- The book says democracy "is not limited to elections alone."
| Point | Election | Democracy |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | One process - choosing representatives | The whole system of self-governance |
| When | Held periodically | Works continuously |
| Citizen's role | Voting | Voting, plus participation, awareness and duties |
Let's Recall
What did we learn about democracy in earlier grades?
- Democracy = power lies with the citizens , who elect representatives through free and fair elections.
- Founded on freedom, equality, justice, rights and duties.
- Citizens can vote, express opinions, and participate in decision-making.
1. Define democracy.
Show answer
A form of government in which the source of power and authority lies with the citizens of the country, who elect their representatives through free and fair elections.
2. What is the difference between
free
elections and
fair
elections?
Show answer
Free means voting without any pressure. Fair means honest counting and equal opportunity for all.
3. Name the four principles democracy is founded on.
Show answer
Freedom, equality, justice, and rights and duties.
4. The Constitution of India was adopted on ______ and came into force on ______.
Show answer
26 November 1949; 26 January 1950.
5. True or False: Indian democracy began in 1950.
Show answer
False. Democracy in India did not emerge suddenly - it evolved through a long historical process, and existed as an idea since early times.
