Political Science

POLITICAL SCIENCE

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DEMOCRACY IN THE CONTEMPARORY WORLD



1. "International Organisations are undemocratic." Justify the answer with relevant

points.

* Even though the total strength of the UN General Assembly is 193, only 5 permanent

members –US, Russia, UK, France and China - of the Security Council have the veto

power which means that the council cannot take any decision if any permanent

member says no to that decision.

* The permanent members, especially the US, contribute most of its money needed for

the maintenance of the UNO.

* International Monetary Fund (IMF) is one of the biggest money lenders for any

country in the world. The voting rights of the 185 members are not equal and is

weighed by how much money it has contributed to the IMF. More than 54% of the

voting power is in the hands of only ten countries. The remaining 175 countries have

very little say in these international organizations take decisions.

* The world bank also has a similar system of voting. The President of the world bank

has always been a citizen of the US, conventionally nominated by the Treasury

Secretary of the US government.


2. Differentiate between democratic country and non-democratic country.

Democratic Country



a. The people are allowed to criticise the government.

b. Workers are allowed to form independent trade union.

c. Political, economic & social equality is enjoyed by the people.

d. Freedom of press is granted.

e. Rulers are elected by the people.

Non- democratic country

a. People are not allowed to criticise the government.

b. Workers are not allowed to form trade unions.

c. Equality is not enjoyed by the people and they depend on the mercy of the ruler.

d. Freedom of press is denied.

e. Rulers are not elected by the people.


3. Explain how democracy established in Poland.
1. In 1980, Poland was ruled by a single communist party called the Polish United

Workers’ Party. The people were denied the freedom of speech and expression and

the right to choose their leaders.

2. On August 14, 1980 a worker’s strike at the Lenin Shipyard of Gdansk, changed the

picture in Poland as a woman crane operator was unjustly dismissed. Later,the strike

continued under the leadership of Lech Walesa.

3. The movement’s popularity forced the government to sign a 21 point agreement with

the workers and a new trade union, Solidarity, was formed. Within a year Solidarity

had more than one crore members across Poland and it exposed the corruption and

mismanagement of the government.

4. General Jaruzelski imposed Martial law in December 1981 and thousands were put in

prison and freedom of speech and expression was taken away.

5. The Solidarity struck with a new wave of strikes in 1988 and another agreement was

signed in 1989 which agreed free elections . Poland had its first free multiple party

election in 1990 and Lech Walesa became the President.




4. Why was the government of President Salvador Allende overthrown?
1. President Allende was opposed to foreign companies taking away natural resources

like copper from the country.

2. The landlords, the rich and the Church opposed his government. Even some political

parties also opposed his government.

3. The government of USA was also unhappy with Allende’s rule and supported and

funded activities that led to the coup against him.




5. Why is it said that democracy cannot be spread by use of force?

1. Many countries, particularly the powerful developed nations like USA have

decided to promote democracy in the world by means of force, if necessary.

USA invaded Iraq in 2003 and imposed democracy on the people.

2. It is not fair to invade a country and force a democratic form of government

on it. External help cannot bring democracy and the people of country should

evolve it by their own efforts like it happened in Nepal.

3. A forced democracy cannot make the people happy . It can bring democracy

but cannot guarantee the continuity of such democracy. Forcing democracy on

a country is against the very principle of freedom of choice

4. A democracy can only be successful if the desire for it comes from within and

not by external force. Force can only promote hatred and ill will, not love for

democracy. Forcing democracy on a country is against the very principle of

freedom of choice

　

　

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