Unlike India, several countries established non-democratic authoritarian regimes at the time of their Independence because-
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → National unity was their first priority and that democracy would introduce differences and conflicts.
Option (1) Democracy is a project to further Britain’s alliance with Germany ... — Incorrect. Their leaders gave national unity as the reason; Britain and Germany do not come into it.
Option (2) Democracy inevitably leads to imperialism ... — Incorrect. Imperialism was the colonial rule these countries had just escaped, not something democracy brings.
Option (3) National unity was their first priority and that democracy would introduce differences and conflicts. — Correct. Faced with serious challenges, their leaders said that national unity was their first priority and that democracy will introduce differences and conflicts.
Option (4) Democracy is an elitist project ... — Incorrect. Their worry was national unity, not that democracy shuts out the masses.
NCERT (2025-26): “Challenge of building democracy … Faced with such serious challenges, leaders in many other countries of the world decided that their country could not afford to have 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.” |