CHAPTER 7- OUTCOMES OF DEMOCRACY

QUESTION- ANSWERS
1. Why do we say that democracy is a better form of government?
OR Analyse the values that make democracy better.
OR ‘Democracy is a better form of government when compared with dictatorship or any
other alternative’. Explain.

Ans. Democracy is a better form of government than other alternatives because:

➢ It promotes equality among citizens.
➢ Enhances the dignity of an individual.
➢ Improves the quality of decision making.
➢ Provides a method to resolve conflicts.
➢ Allows rooms to correct mistakes.
2. How does democracy produce an accountable, responsive, and legitimate government?
Ans.
Accountable Government- In a democracy people have the right to choose their rulers and
people will have control over the rulers. Therefore, the most basic outcome of democracy
should be that it produces a government that is accountable to the citizens, and responsive to
the needs and expectations of the citizens. Democracy follows certain procedures in decision
making and is accountable to the people. Democratic governments develop mechanisms for
citizens to hold the government accountable and mechanisms for citizens to take part in
decision making whenever they think fit.
Responsive Government- Democracies have had greater success in setting up regular and
free elections and in setting up conditions for open public debate. But most democracies fall
short of elections that provide a fair chance to everyone and in subjecting every decision to
public debates. Though the democratic governments do not have a very good record when it
comes to sharing information with citizens, it is much better than any non- democratic
regimes in these respects. In terms of corruption too, though the democratic governments do
face routine tales of corruption, there is nothing to show that non- democratic regimes are not
corrupt.
Legitimate Government- Democratic government is a legitimate government and is people’s
own government. That is why there is an overwhelming support for the idea of democracy all
over the world. People wish to be ruled by representatives elected by them. Democracy’s
ability to generate its own support is itself an outcome that cannot be ignored.
 3. What is Transparency in a democracy? Explain how democratic governments ensure
transparency?
Ans. Transparency refers to the rights and means that a citizen has to examine the process of
decision making.
• Democratic governments ensure that the decision making should be based on norms
and procedures and that a citizen who wants to know if a decision was taken through
the correct procedures can find out about it.
• Thus, democracies produce a government that follows procedures and is accountable
to the people. The democratic government also develops mechanisms for the citizens
to take part in decision making whenever they think fit.
4. Mention the factors that determines the economic growth of a country. How does
democracy fare in terms of economic growth and development in comparison with
dictatorships?
Ans. Economic development depends on several factors: country’s population size,
global situation, cooperation from other countries, economic priorities adopted by the
country etc.
➢ If we consider all democracies and all dictatorship for fifty years between 1950 and 2000,
dictatorship have slightly higher rate of economic growth.
➢ The difference in the rate of economic development between less developed countries
with dictatorship and democracies is negligible. Overall, we cannot say that democracy is
a guarantee of economic development.
➢ 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.

5. ‘The primary duty of any government is the reduction of inequality and poverty’.
Discuss.
Ans. The primary duty of any government, especially democratic government is the
reduction of inequality and poverty. It is reasonable to expect democracies to reduce
economic disparities. This is so because democracies are based on political equality.
However, on the economic front this is not so as can be seen from the following points:
• We find growing economic inequalities in a democracy. A small number of ultra-rich
in the country own a highly disproportionate share of wealth and incomes and their
share in the total income of the country has been increasing. Those at the bottom of
the society have little to depend upon and their incomes have been declining. They
are not even able to meet their basic needs of life such as food, clothing, house,
education, and health.
 • In actual life democracies do not appear to be very successful in reducing economic
inequalities. The poor constitute a large proportion of our voters and no party will like
to lose their votes. Yet, democratically elected governments do not appear to be as
keen to address the question of poverty as they are expected to do.
• The situation is much worse in non- democracies. In Bangladesh, more than half of its
population lives in poverty. People in several poor countries are now dependent on
the rich countries even for food supplies
6. Do democracies lead to peaceful and harmonious life among citizens? Explain with the
help of examples.
Ans.
➢ It will be a fair expectation that democracy should produce a harmonious social life.
➢ Belgium has successfully negotiated differences among ethnic populations. Democracies
usually develop a procedure to conduct their competition. This reduces the possibility of
these tensions becoming explosive or violent.
➢ 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 mechanisms to
negotiate the differences.
➢ Democracy is best suited to produce this outcome. Non-democratic regimes often turn a
blind eye to or suppress internal social differences.
➢ Ability to handle social differences, division and conflicts is thus a definite plus point of
democratic regimes. But the example of Sri Lanka reminds us that a democracy must
fulfil two conditions to achieve this outcome.
❑ 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 government function to represent
the general view. Majority and minority opinions are not permanent.
❑ It is also necessary that rule by majority does not become rule by majority community in
terms of religion or race or linguistic group etc. Rule by majority means that in case of
every election, different person and groups may and can form a majority. Democracy
remains democracy only if every citizen has a chance of being in majority at some point
of time.
7. What are the conditions under which democracies accommodate social diversities?
Ans. Ability to handle social differences, division and conflicts is thus a definite plus point of
democratic regimes. But the example of Sri Lanka reminds us that a democracy must fulfil
two conditions to achieve this outcome.
❑ 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 government function to represent
the general view. Majority and minority opinions are not permanent.
❑ It is also necessary that rule by majority does not become rule by majority community in
terms of religion or race or linguistic group etc. Rule by majority means that in case of
every election, different person and groups may and can form a majority. Democracy
remains democracy only if every citizen has a chance of being in majority at some point
of time.
8. ‘Democracy stands much more superior to any other form of government in promoting
dignity and freedom of the individual’. Analyse the statement.
Ans. Democracy stand much more superior to any other form of government in promoting
dignity and freedom of the individual.
➢ The passion for respect and freedom are the basis of democracy. Democracies throughout
the world have recognised this, at least principle.
➢ For societies which have been built for long based on subordination and domination it is
not a simple matter to recognise that all individuals are equal.
➢ For example, in the case of the dignity of women, most societies across the world were
historically male dominated societies. Long struggle by women have created some
sensitivity today that respect to and equal treatment of women are necessary ingredients
of a democratic society. That does not mean that women are treated with respect. But
once principle is organised, it becomes easier for women to wage a struggle against what
is now unacceptable legally and morally.
➢ In the case of Caste inequalities, democracy in India has strengthened the claims of
disadvantaged and discriminated castes for equal status and equal opportunity.
Expectations from democracy also function as the criteria for judging any democratic
country.
➢ Expectations from democracy also function as the criteria for judging any democratic
country. As people get some benefits of democracy, they ask for more and want to make
democracy even better. That is why when we ask people about the way democracy
functions, they will always come up with more expectations, and many complaints. It
shows that people have developed awareness and the ability to expect and to look
critically at power holders and the high and the mighty.