Page 174 - SST Class 07

In a democracy, the people elect their being of the majority
representatives who take decisions on their behalf. people is being looked
Thus, the people are the ultimate authority. after. At the same
time, the democratic
In India, the representatives are elected for various
spirit operates when
levels of government. We have three levels of
government—at the centre, at the state and at the the majority of the
representatives do not
local level. The representatives elected at the
oppose a decision
central level constitute the Parliament; the A political procession
representatives elected at the state level constitute which is taken for the
well-being of the minority people. This is the only
the State Legislatures; and the representatives
elected at the local level form the local self- reason that many welfare measures are taken in
government. The representatives at the three the interest of the minority communities,
scheduled castes and scheduled tribes.
levels take decisions as per the powers which
have been given to them. For example, the This spirit of accommodating differences has
representatives at the central level take decisions worked well in our country because the opinions
of national importance, such as defence, railways, of all sections of people are respected.
coins, foreign relations etc. The representatives at Enhancing Human Dignity
the state level take decisions of state importance,
such as education, roads, electricity etc. The In a country, the people of some sections of society
representatives at the local level take decisions of may be downtrodden, backward or poor. Since a
local importance, such as cleanliness, hygiene, democracy values all its citizens equally, their
parks, markets etc. well-being is also looked after. Like in India, all
citizens above the age of 18 years have the right to
If these representatives do not work for the well- vote. It means that all people are equal despite their
being of the people, or the people think that these
differences in religion,
representatives are not working well, they may not caste, region, community,
be elected at the next elections and new race, economic status,
representatives may be elected in their place.
educational status, sex
Accommodation of Differences etc. Therefore, the
representatives cannot
A country, like India, has a large population
comprising people from different religions, neglect the welfare of any People casting vote
section of the society.
languages, regions, races, castes, communities,
tribes, educational statuses, economic statuses, When welfare measures are taken for the
social statuses etc. These diversities result in their downtrodden, backward and poor people, it
diverse needs, aspirations and opinions. When a results in the betterment of their economic and
government has to take a decision, it may or may social status, and enhances their human dignity.
not be to the liking of
In India, many measures have been taken for the
all people. In such a welfare of the downtrodden and poor people, as
case, a government has by the provisions of reservations in education and
to be very careful in
employment. This has raised their status, though
taking decisions so that much more needs to be done still.
it can accommodate all
differences and run the
country efficiently. A parliament session in progress F ind Outind Out
A government can take a decision which is Find out the names of any two countries besides
approved by a majority of the representatives. A given in the chapter that follow constitutional
decision by the majority ensures that the well- monarchy.
Contemporary Social Science-7
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