Chapter 8 Challenges to Democracy Class 10 Civics NCERT Notes
Chapter 8 Challenges to Democracy Class 10 Civics NCERT Notes will be helpful for students who want to revise the chapters before their exams. These notes are provided in a systematic way which will be useful in making your concepts more strong.
There is no denying the fact that Chapter 8 Class 10 Political Science NCERT notes are extremely helpful for students. They can also use these notes to identify gaps in their understanding, which can be addressed before the exam.
Chapter 8 Challenges to Democracy Class 10 Civics NCERT Notes
Challenge is a difficulty that carries within an opportunity for progress. A challenge is not just a problem, we call those difficulties a ‘challenge’ which are significant and which can be overcome.
Broad challenges to democracy
Foundational challenges
Some countries had to face the challenge of transition to the democratic style of government. They had to have laws and policies that would be followed in a democratic set-up.
Challenge of expansion
Countries which are already democratic face the challenge of expanding it to all social groups and regions. All institutions should follow democracy in their functioning.
Deepening of democracy
It means strengthening those institutions that have people’s participation and control. It means bringing down the control of the rich and the powerful people in making government decisions.
How to Overcome Challenges?
Challenges to democracy have to be dealt at the local or state level. All reforms cannot be made at the national level.
Devising ways and means for political reforms in India.
Reforms
One way is legal reform, making new laws to ban undesirable things. But legal-constitutional changes cannot overcome challenges to democracy. The reforms have to be carried out mainly by political activists, parties, movements and politically conscious citizens.
Legal changes
Legal changes sometimes have a counter-productive result. But laws which empower people to carry out democratic reforms are best. Example: Right to Information Act.
Democratic reforms
Democratic reforms are spread or brought about through political practice. Main focus of political reforms is strengthening democracy.
Political Reform
While proposing a political reform, one should be very clear about who will implement it and how. Political parties and MPs will never vote for a legislation that is against their interests.
Reform Politics
An individual cannot blame politicians for all the ills of our country. The politicians are no more corrupt than government officials, contractors or any middle-class professionals, politicians, but get more publicity. Laws cannot stop politicians, if they want to be corrupt.
Only people and politicians together can stop corruption in politics and overcome wrong practices.
Redefining Democracy
- Rulers elected by people must take all major decisions.
- Elections must offer a choice and fair opportunity to the people to change the current rulers.
- This choice and opportunity should be available to all the people on an equal basis
- The exercise of this choice must lead to a government limited by basic rules of the constitution and citizens’ rights.
- Democratic rights should not be limited to the right to vote, stand in elections and form political organisations. A democracy also offers social and economic right to its citizens.
- Power sharing between governments and social groups is necessary in a democracy.
- Democracy cannot be the brute rule of majority and how a respect for minority voice is necessary for democracy.
- A democracy must work towards eliminating discrimination based on caste, religion and gender.