CBSE Class 10 Social Science (Political Science) Chapter-Challenges to Democracy
The chapter "Challenges to Democracy" is the concluding chapter of CBSE Class 10 Political Science and encourages students to think critically about the strengths and limitations of democratic systems. While democracy is considered one of the most effective forms of government, it is not free from challenges. This chapter explains that democracy must continuously evolve to meet the expectations of citizens and ensure justice, equality, and participation for all. Students learn about different types of democratic challenges, including foundational challenges, challenges of expansion, and challenges of deepening democracy. Foundational challenges arise in countries that are transitioning from non-democratic systems to democratic governance.
Expansion challenges focus on extending democratic rights and opportunities to all sections of society, while deepening democracy aims to strengthen democratic institutions and increase citizen participation. The chapter highlights the importance of transparency, accountability, and public awareness in improving democratic governance. It also emphasizes that democratic reforms are most successful when driven by active citizens, political leaders, and social organizations. By studying this chapter, students gain a deeper understanding of how democracy can be strengthened through collective efforts and responsible participation. It helps them appreciate democracy not just as a system of government but as a way of ensuring fairness, equality, and social progress. Before going through these CBSE notes, students must read NCERT textbooks and solve all the questions given in the textbook with the help of NCERT solutions for Class 10.
Important Terms and Definitions
Meaning of Challenge
A challenge is not just any problem. We usually call only those difficulties a 'challenge' which are significant and which can be overcome. A challenge is a difficulty that carries within it an opportunity for progress. Once we overcome a challenge, we reach a higher level than before.
Different countries face different kinds of challenges depending on their stage of social development. There is no pre-prescribed method to tackle every challenge faced by a democracy.
Three Main Challenges to Democracy
1. Foundational Challenge
At least one-fourth of the globe is still not under democratic government. These countries face the foundational challenge of making the transition to democracy and then instituting democratic government. This involves:
- Bringing down the existing non-democratic regime.
- Keeping the military away from controlling the government.
- Establishing a sovereign and functional state.
2. Challenge of Expansion
Most established democracies face the challenge of expansion. This involves applying the basic principles of democratic government across all regions, social groups and various institutions:
- Ensuring greater power to local governments.
- Extension of the federal principle to all units of the federation.
- Inclusion of women and minority groups.
- Reducing decisions that remain outside the arena of democratic control.
India and the US both face this challenge. In India, some socio-economically backward groups have yet to get adequate political powers, and some north-eastern states have not fully integrated with mainstream India.
3. Deepening of Democracy
The deepening of democracy challenge is faced by every democracy in some form. This involves strengthening the institutions and practices of democracy so that people can realise their expectations. It requires reducing the control and influence of the rich and powerful over government decision-making.
For example, when T.N. Sheshan became Chief Election Commissioner in the early 1990s, he brought revolutionary discipline to political parties, ensuring fairer elections — a clear instance of strengthening a political institution.
Different Contexts, Different Challenges — Country Examples
| Case and Context | Challenge for Democracy |
|---|---|
| Poland: Government imposed martial law and banned Solidarity after its first success. | Foundational Challenge: Poland became a democracy with Lech Walesa as first popularly elected President. |
| Ghana: Just attained independence; Kwame Nkrumah elected president. | Challenge of Expansion: He promoted Pan-Africanism, improved living standards but deviated from democratic path and assumed absolute power. |
| Myanmar: Suu Kyi under house arrest; army rulers gaining global acceptance. | Challenge of Military Rule: Power is in the hands of the army, not elected representatives. Freedom of speech does not exist. |
| Mexico: Second free election after PRI's defeat in 2000; defeated candidate alleges rigging. | Deepening Democracy: Elections do not offer any political alternatives; methods used to stifle opposition. |
| China: Communist Party adopts economic reforms but maintains political monopoly. | Expansion of Democracy: Elections offer no real choice — people must vote for the ruling party. |
| Pakistan: General Musharraf holds referendum; allegations of fraud. | Challenge of Military Rule: Civilian cabinet supervised by a 'National Security Council' dominated by military officers. |
| South Africa: Nelson Mandela retires; pressure on successor regarding concessions to White minority. | Deepening of Democracy: Democratic Constitution established in 1993; ending apartheid gave way to a multi-racial government. |
| Belgium: Dutch speakers not satisfied; want more autonomy after one round of constitutional change. | Deepening Democracy: Leaders recognised that unity requires respecting feelings of all communities and making mutually acceptable power-sharing arrangements. |
| Nepal: Constituent Assembly about to be elected; unrest in Terai; Maoists have not surrendered arms. | Foundational Challenge: Popular struggle about the foundations of the country's politics — restoration of Parliament and power to an all-party government. |
| Bolivia: Morales, a supporter of the water struggle, becomes PM; MNCs threaten to leave. | Challenge of Money Power: Popular struggle about a specific policy on an elected democratic government; people forced MNCs to flee and the government to concede demands. |
Different Types of Democratic Challenges
| Area | Challenge |
|---|---|
| Constitutional design | Foundational challenge related to constituent assembly and framing of constitution. |
| Democratic rights | Deepening and expansion of democracy in dictatorships. |
| Elections | Deepening democracy through free, fair elections and popular participation. |
| Federalism & decentralisation | Deepening democracy at grass-root levels (local self-government). |
| Accommodation of diversity | Expansion of democracy towards socio-economic equality. |
| Political organisations | Fundamental challenges in democratic and non-democratic institutions (pressure groups and political parties). |
| Free and fair elections | Challenge of criminalisation — use of money and muscle power. |
| Affidavit/corruption | Challenge of corruption in Indian politics regarding politicians' criminal records and possessions. |
Thinking About Political Reforms
All suggestions or proposals about overcoming various challenges to democracy are called democratic reforms or political reforms. Key guidelines for political reforms in India:
(i) Legal Ways of Reforming Politics
Carefully devised changes in law can help to discourage wrong political practices and encourage good ones. However, legal-constitutional changes by themselves cannot overcome challenges to democracy. Political activists, parties, movements and politically conscious citizens must also play their part.
(ii) Reforms through Proper Legislation
Any legal change must carefully consider its results. Laws that seek to ban something are generally not very successful in politics. Laws that give political actors incentives to do good things have more chances of working. The Right to Information Act is an excellent example — it empowers people to find out what is happening in government and act as watchdogs of democracy.
(iii) Reforms through Political Practice
Democratic reforms must be brought about principally through political practice. The main focus should be on ways to strengthen democratic practice and improve the quality of political participation by ordinary citizens.
(iv) Reforms through Citizens' Organisations and Media
Any proposal for political reforms should consider not only what is a good solution but also who will implement it and how. Measures that rely on democratic movements, citizens' organisations and the media are likely to succeed.
Major Challenges to Democracy in India
1. Challenge of Expansion
This involves ensuring greater power to local governments, extending federal principles to all units, and including women and minority groups. India has a quasi-federal, unitary-basis setup where local self-government is not implemented fairly at every level. Women and minorities still lack proper representation in electoral politics.
Related challenges include casteism (caste pressure groups influencing power), communalism (intolerance and fear between communities), and political violence including terrorism.
2. Challenge of Criminalisation
This challenge reflects the use of money and muscle power, violence, multiplicity of candidates, lack of electoral ethics, and insufficient representation of minorities and women — all of which pollute the electoral process. Meaningful and comprehensive electoral reforms are urgently needed.
3. Challenge of Corruption
This challenge relates to the criminal records and personal possessions of politicians. It is now mandatory for every election candidate to file an Affidavit declaring details of property and pending criminal cases. While this has made much information publicly available, there is no system to verify the accuracy of the information provided.
Redefining Democracy
Democracy is a form of government in which the rulers are elected by the people. A good democracy must ensure:
- Rulers elected by the people take all major decisions.
- Elections must offer a choice and a fair opportunity to change the current rulers.
- This choice and opportunity must be available to all people on an equal basis.
- The exercise of this choice must lead to a government limited by the Constitution and citizens' rights.
Broader Meaning of Democracy
- Democratic rights are not limited to voting, contesting elections and forming political organisations — they extend to social and economic rights.
- Power sharing between governments and social groups is necessary.
- Democracy cannot be the brute rule of the majority — a respect for minority voices is essential.
- Eliminating discrimination based on caste, religion and gender is important in a democracy.
Role an Ordinary Citizen Can Play in Deepening Democracy
- No democracy can function without enlightened and informed citizens, who are its pillars.
- Socially responsible citizens act with discipline and responsibility, channelising the democratic system by airing their grievances.
- Well-informed citizens form healthy public opinion which puts a check on unresponsive government and its policies.
- Responsible citizens help in the regulation of social reforms and check antisocial conduct.
- The strength of democracy lies in respecting the mind power of citizens and creating an atmosphere of fair and frank interaction to solve collective problems.
Solved Questions
Q2. What do you mean by the term 'challenge'?
The term 'challenge' signifies those difficulties which are significant and which can be overcome. A challenge is a type of difficulty that carries within it an opportunity for progress. Once we overcome a challenge we go up to a higher level than before.
Q7. "Challenge of expansion is very common within an established democracy." Comment.
(i) Most established democracies face the challenge of expansion because it involves applying the basic principle of democracy across all regions, different social groups and various institutions. (ii) It includes ensuring greater power to local governments, extension of the federal principle to all units of the federation, and inclusion of women and minority groups. (iii) Most countries including India and the US face this challenge.
Q8. Write a note on the challenge of "deepening of democracy".
The challenge of deepening of democracy is faced by every democracy in one form or another. (i) This challenge involves strengthening the institutions and practices of democracy so that people can realise their expectations. (ii) It takes different meaning and paths in different parts of the world. (iii) In general terms, it means strengthening institutions that help people's participation and control. (iv) It requires reducing the control and influence of the rich and powerful over government decisions.
Q16. How can democracy be reformed and deepened? Suggest some guidelines.
(i) Legal Ways: Carefully devised changes in law can discourage wrong political practices. The Right to Information Act is a good example. (ii) Proper Legislation: Laws that seek to ban something are not very successful; laws giving incentives to do good things have more chances of working. (iii) Political Practice: The focus of reforms should be on strengthening democratic practice and improving quality of citizens' participation. (iv) Citizens' Organisations and Media: Measures relying on democratic movements, citizens' organisations and media are likely to succeed.
Q17. What are the major challenges to democracy in India?
India's democracy faces: (i) Challenge of Expansion — ensuring greater power to local governments, extending federal principles, including women and minorities; (ii) related sub-challenges of casteism, communalism and political violence; (iii) Challenge of Criminalisation — use of money and muscle power in elections, lack of electoral ethics; (iv) Challenge of Corruption — criminal records and dishonest declarations by politicians.
Exercise 1 – Multiple Choice Questions
- Political challenge is: (c) difficulties that can be overcome and there is opportunity for progress
- Keeping military away from government is an example of: (b) foundational challenge
- Influence of rich and powerful in government is an example of: (a) deepening challenge
- Not associating minority in decision making process is an example of: (b) challenge of expansion
- Most established democracies face: (b) challenge of expansion
- Northern Ireland civil war ended but Catholics and Protestants yet to develop trust. This is: (b) challenge of expansion
- Which is NOT a good argument in favour of democracy?: (d) Democracies are more prosperous than others
- Which statement is true?: (a) Foundational challenge is the challenge of most non-democratic countries
Exercise 2 – Short Answer Questions (Practice)
- What type of challenge is faced by a non-democratic country for democratic set-up?
- Which is the most common challenge faced by a democracy?
- What are the legal ways of reforming politics?
- How do we define a good democracy?
- Which is the most common form of democracy in today's world and why?
- What distinguishes democracy from other forms of government?
- Discuss briefly the foundational challenge of making transition to democracy.
- "Challenge of expansion is very common which an established democracy faces." Comment.
- Write a note on the challenge of "deepening democracy".
- Examine the features of democracy.
- Discuss the expanded scope of democracy in the modern world.
- What must not take place in a democracy if it is a good democracy?
- Describe briefly the challenges faced by modern democracies of the world.
- How can democracy be reformed and deepened? Suggest some guidelines.
- What role can an ordinary citizen play in deepening democracy?
- What are the major challenges to democracy in India?