What was a characteristic of non-democratic rule in many newly independent post-colonial countries?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Effective control by a single leader, a single-party rule or direct army rule.
Option (1) Effective control by only fringe elements of society. — Incorrect. Power lay with one leader, one party or the army, not with fringe groups.
Option (2) Effective control by popularly elected leaders, multi-party rule and bureaucratic control. — Incorrect. Elected leaders and many parties are features of democracy, the very thing these regimes set aside.
Option (3) Effective control by foreign capitalist and socialists. — Incorrect. These countries had just won freedom from foreign rule.
Option (4) Effective control by a single leader, a single-party rule or direct army rule. — Correct. Non-democratic rule took the form of nominal democracy but effective control by one leader, one party rule or direct army rule.
NCERT (2025-26): “Challenge of building democracy … They said that national unity was their first priority and that democracy will introduce differences and conflicts. Therefore many of the countries that gained freedom from colonialism experienced non-democratic rule. It took various forms: nominal democracy but effective control by one leader, one party rule or direct army rule. Non-democratic regimes always started with a promise of restoring democracy very soon.” |