Democratic Government & Equality

• What makes a government democratic.
• Universal Adult Franchise — every adult citizen has the right to vote.
• Equality as a core democratic value — equal rights regardless of caste, religion, gender, wealth.
• Role of the government: making laws, enforcing order, providing services.
• Levels of government in India: Central, State, Local.

What is a democratic government?

A democratic government is one where:

• Rulers are elected by the people through free and fair elections.
• Everyone's vote counts equally — one person, one vote.
• Citizens have fundamental rights that the government cannot violate.
• The government is accountable — it must answer to the people.

Universal Adult Franchise

• All citizens above 18 years have the right to vote regardless of income, education, religion, caste, or gender.
• India adopted this in 1950 with the Constitution — one of the earliest countries to give women the vote on equal terms.
• Every vote has equal value — a millionaire's vote = a daily-wage worker's vote.

Equality in democracy

Levels of government in India

What does the government do?

• Makes laws (legislature).
• Runs the country (executive — police, army, schools, hospitals).
• Settles disputes (judiciary — courts).
• Provides public goods: roads, electricity, water, public schools.

• What is Universal Adult Franchise? When did India adopt it?
• Name two features that make a government democratic.
• How are Central, State, and Local governments different?
• What does "equality before law" mean?
• Give two examples of what the government provides to citizens.

Open the Practice tab for graded questions on Democratic Government.