Class 6 Social Science Civics Ch 4 - CBSE Guide

Chapter 4: Key Elements of a Democratic Government

Social Science - Civics (CBSE Class 6)

Chapter Summary

• A democratic government is based on the idea of people's participation.
• Participation can occur through voting in elections to choose representatives. These representatives then make decisions on behalf of the people.
• People can also participate in other ways such as by taking an interest in the working of the government and by criticising it when necessary.
• Other forms of participation include dharnas, rallies, strikes, and signature campaigns to voice opinions against government policies.
• The government is responsible for providing social justice and equality to all citizens.
• Need to Resolve Conflicts: Conflicts occur when people of different cultures, religions, regions, or economic backgrounds do not get along with each other, or when some feel discriminated against.
• The government's role is to help resolve these conflicts by creating laws and ensuring justice for all groups. For example, the police and courts play a crucial role.
• River disputes between states, or religious processions, are common sources of conflict that the government manages.
• Equality and Justice: These are the core principles of a democratic government.
• The government ensures justice by providing special provisions for groups who have been treated unequally, such as Dalits or women.
• The Indian Constitution explicitly states that untouchability is a crime and has been outlawed. This was a significant step towards ensuring equality. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar fought for the rights of Dalits.
• The government implements various schemes, like the Public Distribution System (PDS) for providing food grains at affordable prices, to ensure that all people, especially the poor, have access to basic necessities and are treated equally.
• People also express their views through the media (newspapers, TV channels) and social movements, influencing government decisions and holding it accountable.

Questions and Answers

1. Why do you think the government needs to make rules for everyone in the form of laws?

Answer: The government needs to make rules for everyone in the form of laws for several reasons:

• To maintain peace and order in society.
• To ensure that all citizens are treated equally and justly.
• To resolve conflicts and prevent disputes from escalating.
• To protect the rights and freedoms of individuals.
• To guide the functioning of the society and ensure its smooth operation.

2. What was the problem in South Africa?

Answer: The problem in South Africa was the system of apartheid. Apartheid was a system of racial discrimination where people were divided and discriminated against based on their race (white, black, coloured, and Indian). Black people were treated unfairly, denied basic rights, and segregated from white people in all aspects of life, including living areas, schools, hospitals, and public facilities.

3. What are the two ways that people participate in the government?

Answer: The two main ways that people participate in the government are:

• Through Voting: People vote in elections to choose their representatives, who then form the government and make decisions on their behalf.
• Through Other Actions: People participate by taking an interest in the working of the government, critiquing it when necessary, expressing their views through protests, rallies, dharnas, signature campaigns, and by forming social movements.

4. Why are elections necessary in a democracy?

Answer: Elections are necessary in a democracy for the following reasons:

• They allow people to choose their representatives who will govern them.
• They provide an opportunity for people to change the government if they are not satisfied with its performance.
• They ensure accountability of the government to the people.
• They legitimise the government, as it is formed by the will of the people.
• They are a key mechanism for people's participation in governance.

5. What is the role of the opposition party in a democracy?

Answer: The opposition party plays a crucial role in a democracy:

• It scrutinises the policies and actions of the ruling party and the government.
• It highlights shortcomings and failures of the government.
• It offers alternative policies and perspectives, enriching public debate.
• It ensures that the government does not become authoritarian or misuse its power.
• It provides a check and balance on the ruling party, making the government more accountable.

6. What are some of the things that the government does to ensure that all people are treated equally?

Answer: The government does several things to ensure that all people are treated equally:

• It makes laws that protect every individual's right to equality and prohibits discrimination based on religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.
• It provides special provisions and schemes for groups who have historically been treated unequally (e.g., Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, women) to help them overcome disadvantages.
• It ensures that untouchability is outlawed and punishes those who practice it.
• It works to provide basic services like healthcare, education, food, and housing to all, especially the poor, through programs like the Public Distribution System (PDS).
• It promotes awareness about equality and social justice through education and public campaigns.

7. Read the story of the South African doctor. What was his demand? How did he try to achieve it?

Answer: The story refers to the struggle against apartheid in South Africa. (While the NCERT might reference an anonymous doctor to illustrate, the key figure for the struggle is Nelson Mandela.) If we consider a general representative in the story:

• His demand: The demand was for equality and an end to the apartheid system of racial discrimination in South Africa. He demanded that black people be treated equally with white people and have the right to vote and live freely.
• How he tried to achieve it: He tried to achieve it through various means of resistance including protests, rallies, and by challenging discriminatory laws. Many people, including doctors, joined the struggle, forming organisations and movements to fight against apartheid and demand a democratic government where everyone was treated equally.

8. What is the main idea behind a democratic government?

Answer: The main idea behind a democratic government is that the people hold the ultimate power and are the source of all authority. It means that the government is "of the people, by the people, and for the people." Its core principles include:

• Participation: People participate in governance, primarily through voting.
• Equality: All citizens are treated equally before the law and have equal opportunities.
• Justice: The government works to ensure justice for all, especially for vulnerable groups.
• Accountability: The government is accountable to the people and responsive to their needs.