Chapter-Grassroots Democracy Social Science class 6 in english Medium CBSE Notes

Chapter 10. Grassroots Democracy

Democracy

Democracy is a system of governance in which the people have the power to participate in making decisions that govern them.

• The word democracy comes from two Greek words.
• dēmos means ‘people’.
• kratos means ‘rule’ or ‘power’.
• Therefore, democracy literally means the rule of the people.
• Democracy is one of the foundation stones of modern systems of governance.
• In a large country, it is not practical for every citizen to directly participate in every decision.
• Therefore, people elect representatives to take decisions on their behalf.
• India follows a representative democracy.

Why Do We Need Representatives?

• It is not practical for all citizens to participate directly in every decision.
• A large number of people may have different opinions on an issue.
• Representatives can present the views and concerns of the people.
• People elect representatives through elections.
• The elected representatives participate in discussions and decision-making.
• They discuss laws, problems and possible solutions.
• Different opinions are considered through dialogue and debate.

Example of a Representative

Suppose a class has a problem that needs to be brought to the principal. Instead of the entire class going to the principal, the class can elect a class representative to present its views.

• The class representative speaks on behalf of the class.
• The representative is chosen by the members of the class.
• This illustrates the basic idea of representative democracy.
• In the same way, citizens elect representatives at the State and national levels.

Representatives at Different Levels

Level	Representative
State Level	MLA – Member of Legislative Assembly
National Level	MP – Member of Parliament

MLA – Member of Legislative Assembly

MLA stands for Member of Legislative Assembly.

• MLAs are elected representatives at the State level.
• People vote to elect MLAs from their respective constituencies.
• MLAs participate in the State legislature.
• They discuss laws, problems and possible solutions.
• They represent the views and concerns of people in their constituencies.

MP – Member of Parliament

MP stands for Member of Parliament.

• MPs are elected representatives at the national level.
• People elect MPs through elections.
• MPs participate in Parliament.
• They discuss national laws, problems and possible solutions.
• They represent the people at the national level.

MLA and MP – Difference

MLA	MP
MLA means Member of Legislative Assembly.	MP means Member of Parliament.
Works at the State level.	Works at the national level.
Participates in the State legislature.	Participates in Parliament.
Deals mainly with matters discussed at the State level.	Deals mainly with matters discussed at the national level.

Elections

Election is the process through which people choose their representatives by voting.

• Elections are an important part of representative democracy.
• Citizens vote for candidates who they want to represent them.
• The elected representatives take part in governance.
• Through elections, people participate in the process of government.
• Elections provide citizens an opportunity to choose their representatives.

Voting

Voting is the process of expressing one's choice between different options or candidates.

• Voting is an important method of participation in democracy.
• People use their votes to choose representatives.
• In some situations, voting can also be used to directly choose between options.
• The option or candidate receiving the required majority of votes is selected according to the applicable rules.

Direct Democracy

Direct democracy is a system in which people directly participate in taking a decision.

• People themselves take part in the decision-making process.
• There is no need for representatives to make that particular decision on their behalf.
• Every participant's opinion can directly contribute to the final decision.
• It is more practical for small groups or specific decisions.

Example of Direct Democracy

Suppose a class has to choose between two picnic destinations, A and B. The students discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both places and then vote by raising their hands.

• Students directly express their preference.
• The number of votes for each option is counted.
• The option receiving more votes is selected.
• This is an example of direct democracy.
• The students themselves directly participate in the decision.

Representative Democracy

Representative democracy is a system in which people elect representatives who take part in decision-making on their behalf.

• Citizens elect representatives through elections.
• Representatives participate in legislative assemblies.
• They discuss laws, problems and possible solutions.
• Dialogue and debate help representatives deal with different opinions.
• India follows representative democracy.

Direct Democracy and Representative Democracy – Difference

Direct Democracy	Representative Democracy
People directly participate in the decision.	People elect representatives to take decisions on their behalf.
Suitable for smaller groups or particular decisions.	Suitable for large populations and countries.
People directly express their choice.	People express their choice by electing representatives.
Example: Students voting for a picnic destination.	Example: Citizens electing MLAs and MPs.

India – A Representative Democracy

• India is a representative democracy.
• People elect representatives at different levels.
• MLAs are elected at the State level.
• MPs are elected at the national level.
• Elected representatives participate in discussions and decision-making.
• They discuss laws, problems and possible solutions.
• Dialogue and debate are important parts of the democratic process.
• In principle, Indian citizens above the age of 18 have the right to participate in elections.

Democracy and Representation

• Democracy gives people a role in the governance of their country.
• In a large country, representation makes democratic governance practical.
• Citizens choose people to represent their interests.
• Representatives discuss public issues in legislative bodies.
• Different opinions can be expressed through dialogue and debate.
• Thus, elections and representation connect citizens with government.

Grassroots Democracy

Grassroots democracy refers to a system that enables and encourages the participation of ordinary citizens in decisions that affect them.

• The term grassroots refers to ordinary people at the base of society.
• Grassroots democracy gives ordinary citizens a say in decisions affecting their lives.
• It encourages participation from the local or basic level of society.
• It strengthens people's involvement in governance.
• It makes democracy more participatory.
• Citizens are not merely governed; they can also participate in decisions affecting them.

Importance of Grassroots Democracy

• It encourages ordinary citizens to participate in governance.
• It gives people a voice in decisions affecting their lives.
• It helps bring local issues and concerns into decision-making.
• It encourages people to take responsibility for their communities.
• It strengthens democratic participation.
• It connects citizens more closely with the system of governance.

Democracy – Important Points

• Democracy literally means the rule of the people.
• dēmos = people.
• kratos = rule or power.
• India is a representative democracy.
• People elect representatives through elections.
• MLAs represent people at the State level.
• MPs represent people at the national level.
• Representatives discuss laws, problems and solutions.
• Dialogue and debate help deal with different opinions.
• Direct democracy involves direct participation in decision-making.
• Representative democracy works through elected representatives.
• Grassroots democracy encourages ordinary citizens to participate in decisions affecting them.

Important Concepts at a Glance

Concept	Key Point
Governance	Taking decisions, organising society through rules and ensuring that rules are followed.
Government	System or group that makes rules and ensures that they are followed.
Legislature	Makes laws.
Executive	Implements laws.
Judiciary	Decides whether laws have been broken and what action should be taken.
Separation of Powers	Keeps the three organs separate while allowing them to interact.
Checks and Balances	Allows each organ to check the actions of the others.
Three Levels	Local, State and Central/Union Government.
Democracy	Rule or power of the people.
Direct Democracy	People directly participate in a decision.
Representative Democracy	People elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.
Grassroots Democracy	Encourages ordinary citizens to participate in decisions affecting them.

Chapter in Four Lines

• ✔ Governance organises society through rules and decision-making.
• ✔ Government makes and implements rules through its three organs.
• ✔ Democracy gives people a role in governance through participation and representation.
• ✔ Grassroots democracy encourages ordinary citizens to participate in decisions affecting them.

Before We Move On – Key Points

• ✔ No country can run without governance and government.
• ✔ A modern government has three organs—legislature, executive and judiciary.
• ✔ The three organs need to work together.
• ✔ The Indian government functions at three levels—Centre or national, State and local.
• ✔ Democracy provides the overall framework for this system.
• ✔ Democracy functions through elected representatives at the State and national levels.
• ✔ Grassroots democracy enables and encourages ordinary citizens to have a say in decisions affecting them.

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