OUTCOMES OF DEMOCRACY

 Very short and Short answer type Questions

1. What does democracy mean?

Ans] Democracy means “rule by the people”. It is just a form of government, can only create conditions for
achieving something

2. What are the expected outcomes of democracy? Explain

Ans]
i]. A government that is responsive to the needs of the people.
ii]. Economic growth and development reducing all forms of inequality and end of poverty.
iii]. Accommodating all social diversities.
iv]. Ensuring the dignity and freedom of the individuals

3. What does transparency in a democracy mean?

Ans]
Democracy ensures that decision making will be based on norms and procedures.
So, a citizen who wants to know if a decision was taken through the correct procedures can find this out. She has
the right and the means to examine the process of decision making. This is known as transparency.

4. How democratic government ensure transparency ?

Ans]
i] Democratic government ensures transparency in the process of decision making.
ii] Right to Information Act enables every citizen of the country to have the right to information about the
structure of the government and every policy and rule made by them.
iii] When any decision made or meetings held by the government is open to discussion for citizens of the
country, and when any budget approved by the government is open to examination, to check whether it
is beneficial for their country

5. How can a democratic government be made accountable? Explain.

Ans]
i]. Conducting discussions and negotiations .
ii]. Ensuring transparency.
iii]. Holding regular free and fair elections.
iv]. Having open public debates.

6. Is non-democratic government quick and efficient in decision making?

Ans]
It is true that non-democratic rulers do not have to bother about deliberations in assemblies or worry about
public opinion. So, they can be very quick and efficient in decision making and implementations.

7. What is meant by economic inequality and political equality ?

Ans]

i]. Economic inequality : It refers to disparities in the distribution of economic assets and income.
ii]. Political equality : It means that all individuals have equal rights in electing representatives.

8. “The economic growth rate in dictatorship is better than that in democratic rule.” Why is it so?
Ans]
i]. In democratic some countries, as the leaders and bureaucrats think about their profits only the
government is not much keen to remove poverty and develop the country economically.

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ii]. In dictatorial regimes, the rules and regulations are quick , rigid and compulsory. The citizens who
disobey are severely punished or fined.

8. On the basis of which values will it be a fair expectation that democracy should produce a harmonious social
life?
Ans]
The values that are associated with democracy producing a harmonious social life are:
i]. Equality among all human beings.
ii]. Respect for individual freedom.
iii]. Ability to handle social differences, divisions and conflicts.

 Long answer type Questions

 DEMOCRACY

1. How are the democratic governments better than the other forms of governments? Compare. [CBSE 2016]
OR
“Democracy is a better form of government than any other form of government.” Analyse the statement with
arguments. [CBSE 2016]
OR
Why do we feel that democracy is a better form of government than any other form? Explain. [CBSE 2015]
OR
Describe any five factors that make democracy is a better form of government than other alternatives. [Delhi
2019]

Ans]
The democratic governments are better than other forms of governments because:
i]. Promotes equality among citizens
ii]. Enhances the dignity of the individual
iii]. Improves the quality of decision- making.
iv]. They Provides a method to resolve conflicts , while it is not the case in other form of governments
v]. Democratic governments have formal Constitution, while it is not the case in other form of governments.
vi]. They hold regular elections, while it is not the case in other form of governments.
vii].They Enhances the dignity of the individual.
viii]. They guarantee rights to citizens, while it is not the case in the other form of governments.
ix]. Democratic governments allow room to correct mistakes, while it is not there in the other form of
government.
x]. Democratic government accommodates social diversities, while no such thing in other form of government.

2. “Democracy is seen to be good in principle but felt to be not so good in practice.” Justify the statement
Ans]
i]. The decision-making process in democracy is time-taking, where by justice delayed is justice denied.
ii]. Democracy is just a form of government. It can only create conditions for achieving something.The
citizens have to take advantage of those conditions and achieve those goals.so the acheivements in
different democratic countries are different.
iii]. The oppressive rule of the majority overrides the will of the minority.
iv]. Corruption often dominates in the functioning of democracies.
v]. It is not possible to fulfill all the expectations of all people . Some of them would be satisfied others
would not.

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 Accountable, responsive and legitimate government
3. “Democratic governments in practice are known as accountable.” Support the statement with arguments

Ans]
i]. The people elect the government and is thus responsible to them.
ii]. The policies and decisions of the government is mostly transparent.
iii]. Democratic government is answerable to the people for their actions and policies.
iv]. In most democracy the citizens can seek answer of the actions and functioning of government through Right
to information act [RTI Act]
v]. The democratic government is accountable to the people. If It ignores the will of the people they will
not elect such rulers in the next general election.

4. How is democratic government known as responsive government and Legitimate Government?

Ans]
Responsive

i]. Democracy produces a government that is responsive to needs and expectations of the citizen.
ii]. People can hold protests, carry out campaigns and organise rallies and force the government to respond to
them.
iii]. A government which is able to respond to grievances faster is able to avoid confrontation and
provide good governance .
iv]. Through pressure groups, and public protests, the democratic government can check the popularity of its
decisions and mechanism of administering justice.

Legitimate

A democratic government is called legitimate government because:

i]. A democratic government is the people’s own government and it is run by the people.
ii]. People have the right to choose their rulers and they have control over their rulers.
iii]. It may be slow, less efficient and not very responsive and clean, but it is people’s government.
iv]. People wish to be ruled by representatives elected by them. Democracy’s ability to generate its own support
makes it more legitimate.
v]. There is an overwhelming support for the idea of democracy all over the world. People of South
Asia like, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan and Nepal have no doubt about the suitability of
democracy for their own country.

 Economic growth and development

5. Evidence shows that in practice, many democracies did not fulfil the expectations of producing economic
development in the country. Validate the statement with the help of relevant example.

Ans]
i]. If we consider all democracies and all dictatorships for the fifty years between 1950 and 2000, dictatorships
have slightly higher rate of economic growth.
ii]. But Economic development depends on several factors: country’s population size, global situation,
cooperation from other countries, economic priorities adopted by the country, etc.
iii]. However, the difference in the rates of economic development between less developed countries with
dictatorships and democracies is negligible.

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iv]. Overall, it cannot be said that democracy is a guarantee of economic development. But we can expect
democracy not to lag behind dictatorships in this respect.
v]. With such a significant difference in the rates of economic growth between countries under dictatorship and
democracy, it is better to prefer democracy as it has several other positive outcomes. For example: North
Korea has higher rate of economic growth than India.

 Reduction of inequality and poverty

6. Is it reasonable to expect democracies to reduce economic disparities and poverty?

OR
Is economic growth in democracies accompanied by increased inequalities among the people?

Ans]

Economic disparities

Democracies are based on political equality. All individuals have equal rights in electing representatives, but we
find economic inequalities because :
i]. A small number of ultra-rich enjoy a highly disproportionate share of wealth and income.
ii]. Those at the bottom of the society have very little to depend upon. Their incomes have been
declining.
iii]. Sometimes they find it difficult to meet their basic needs of life such as food, clothes, houses,
education and health.

Poverty

iv]. Democracies do not appear to be very successful in reducing economic inequalities. Although majority of
voters constitute the poverty ridden group, yet democratically elected government donot appear to be as
keen to address the question of poverty as you would expect them to.
v]. Situation is much worse in some of the countries where people depend upon rich countries for food
supplies.

 Accommodation of social diversity

7. “Democracy accommodates social diversities.” Support the statement with examples. [CBSE 2016]
OR
“Democracy is the best way to accommodate social division.” Justify the statements.

Ans]
i]. No society can fully and permanently resolve conflicts among different groups. But we can certainly
learn to respect these differences and can evolve a mechanism to negotiate these differences.

ii]. Ability to handle social differences, divisions and conflicts is thus a definite plus point of democratic
Regimes

iii]. Democracies develop a procedure to conduct their competition. This reduces the possibility of these
tensions becoming explosive or violent.

iv]. Example: Belgium has successfully negotiated differences among its ethnic population. This
reduces the possibility of tensions
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8. “Democracies lead to a peaceful and harmonious life among citizens.” Justify this statement.

Ans]
It will be a fair expectation that democracy should produce a harmonious social life.
i]. Democracy usually develop a procedure to conduct their competition. This reduces the possibility of these
tensions becoming explosive or violent.
ii]. No society can fully and permanently resolve conflicts among different groups. But we can certainly learn
to respect these differences and we can also evolve mechanism to negotiate the differences. Democracy is
best suited to produce this outcome.
iii]. Non-democratic government often turn a blind eye to or suppress internal social differences. Ability to
handle social differences, divisions and conflicts is thus a definite plus point of democratic government.
iv]. It is necessary to understand that democracy is not simply rule by majority opinion. The majority always
needs to work with the minority so that governments function to represent the general view.
v]. It is also necessary that rule by majority does not become rule by majority community in terms of religion
or race or linguistic group.

9. What are the two conditions to accommodate social diversities in a democracy?

Ans]
i]. It is necessary to understand that democracy is not simply rule by majority. The majority always
needs to work with minority so that governments function to represent the general view.
i]. It is also necessary that rule by majority does not become rule by majority community in terms of
religion or race or linguistic group.
ii]. The story of Sri Lanka os an example it is country where majoritarianism is followed and thus civil war
happened.

 Dignity and freedom of the citizens

10. Explain with examples, how the dignity and freedom of citizens are best guaranteed in a
democracy. [CBSE 2014]
OR
“Democracy stands much superior in promoting dignity and freedom of the citizens.” Justify the
statement.

Ans]
Democracy stands much superior in promoting dignity and freedom to the citizens” due to:
i]. Every individual wants to receive respect from fellow beings and passion for respect and freedom is the
basis of any democracy.
ii]. Democracies throughout the world have recognized this. It has been achieved in various degrees in
various democracies.
iii]. Once the principle is recognised, it becomes easier for discriminated people to wage a struggle
against what is now unacceptable legally and morally.
iv]. Long struggles by women have got them respect and equal treatment.
v]. In many democracies, women were deprived of their right to vote for a long time which they have
achieved now.
vi]. In India 1/3rd of seats have been reserved for women in local bodies.
vii]. Democracy has also strengthened the claims of the disadvantaged and discriminated castes for equal
status and equal opportunity.

11. “Complaints are treated as testimony to the success of democracy.” Support the statement with example.
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Ans]
i]. When we ask people about the way democracy functions, they will always come up with more expectations,
and many complaints.

ii]. The fact that people are complaining is itself a testimony to the success of democracy. It shows that people
have developed awareness and the ability to expect and to look critically at power holders.

iii]. As democracy passes one test, it produces another test. As people get some benefits of democracy, they ask
for more and want to make democracy even better.

iv]. A public expression of dissatisfaction with democracy shows the success of the democratic project: it
transforms people from the status of a subject into that of a citizen.

v]. Most individuals today believe that their vote makes a difference to the way the government is run and to
their own self-interest.

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