Page 173 - SST Class 07
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ELEMENTS OF DEMOCRACY
                                                                                      PREAMBLE
                                                                                      PREAMBLE
            At present, democracy has become a popular form
            of government in the world. Its popularity rests in
                                                                          WE THE PEOPLE OF INDIA having solemnly
                                                                          WE THE PEOPLE OF INDIA having solemnly
            some of the elements. This system of power rests              resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN
                                                                                                SOVEREIGN
                                                                          resolved to constitute India into a
            on the basic principles of equality, liberty,                 SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC
                                                                          SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC
                                                                          and to secure to all it’s citizen.
            fraternity and sovereignty of the people. Some of             and to secure to all it’s citizen.
            the key elements of democracy are as follows :
                                                                          JUSTICE social economic and political
                                                                          JUSTICE social economic and political
            Formal Equality                                               LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship
                                                                          LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship
                                                                          EQUALITY of status and of opportunity
                                                                          EQUALITY of status and of opportunity
            A democracy does not discriminate between
                                                                          and to promote among them all.
                                                                          and to promote among them all.
            people on any ground, such as religion, caste,                FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of individual and
                                                                          FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of individual and
            community, race, sex, age, region etc. It treats all          the unity and integrity of the nation.
                                                                          the unity and integrity of the nation.
            people equal whether they are rich or poor, young
                                                                          IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY the twenty-sixth
                                                                          IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY the twenty-sixth
            or old, high or low, male or female. In it, all               day of November 1949, do  HEREBY ADOPT
                                                                          day of November 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT
            decisions are made on behalf of the common                    ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION.
                                                                          ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION.
            people. Their welfare is the topmost priority for
            the government. It works for their welfare. In case
            it works contrary to the welfare of the common
            people, or against their will, the people may not       The Preamble to the Constitution of India secures
            like to elect it to power again at the next election.   Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity to all
            In a democracy, the well-being of the people is         citizens of India.
            considered the end, and the government a means
            of realising it.                                            Quiz Time
            In India, we have a democratic type of government.       Write True or False :
            The Constitution of India gives the right to equality    1. The word ‘apartheid’ means ‘apartness’. _______
                                                                                                              _______
            to all citizens. The Articles 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 of   2. An authoritarian system of power
            the Constitution of India provide that all people are       furthers its own interests.           _______
                                                                                                              _______
            equal and no discrimination can be practised
            against any person on any ground. It also prohibits      3. In a federal system of power, all
                                                                                                              _______
            all types of untouchability and titles (other than          powers are vested in the Union.       _______
            military and academic).                                  4. There are four fundamental rights given
                                                                        by the Constitution of India.         _______
                                                                                                              _______
                 Info Bits                                           5. The Preamble to the Constitution of India
                 Info Bits
                                                                        secures Justice, Liberty, Equality and
            The Constitution of India is the lengthiest                 Fraternity to all citizens of India.  _______
                                                                                                              _______
            Constitution of the world.
                                                                    Decision-Making Mechanism
            The six Fundamental Rights given by the
            Constitution of India are as follows :                  The government of a country has to take a number
            q  Right to equality,                                   of decisions for running day to day business and
                                                                    administration. Since
            q  Right to freedom,                                    the population of a
            q  Right against exploitation,                          country is large, all
                                                                    people         cannot
            q  Right of freedom of religion,
                                                                    participate   in   this
            q  Cultural and educational rights, and                 d e c i s i o n - m a k i n g

            q  Right to constitutional remedies.                    mechanism directly.
                                                                                                  Parliament of India
                                                                                                Why Democracy
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