OUTCOMES OF DEMOCRACY

1. A democratic government is better than other governments. Justify

a. It is based on free and fair elections where people choose their representatives who run the
government on their behalf.
b. It is a more accountable form of govt. where those currently in power have a fair chance of losing if they
don’t perform.
c. It promotes equality among citizens and enhances the dignity of the individual.
d. It improves the quality of decision making as policies are made after debates and consultations.
e. It allows room to correct mistakes and policies made can be revised or changed.

2. How does democracy produce an accountable and responsive government?

Accountable
a. The government is accountable because it is answerable to the citizens for all its decisions.
b. Decisions are taken after deliberations and negotiations.
c. Decision making is based on norms and procedures and so the process is transparent.
d. A democracy develops mechanism to hold the government accountable and for citizens to take part in
decision making. Eg. Public debates on major policies and the RTI Act.
Responsive
a. As decisions are taken after discussions, there may be delays. But in the end those decisions are
accepted by the people and are more effective.
b. The govt. keeps in mind the needs and wishes of the people while making laws.

3. How is democratic government a legitimate government?

a. It is legitimate govt. because it is people’s own government. The govt. works in a transparent manner
following rules and guidelines while taking decisions.
b. It is formed by representatives elected by the people.
c. People wish to be ruled by representatives elected by them. This is democracy’s greatest appeal and
strength. ( Why is there so much support for democracy even if it is inefficient or not responsive?)

4. What makes democratic government inefficient?

a. In non-democracies decisions are taken very fast. But in a democracy, decisions are taken after
consultations and debates. So, it is a time taking process. This makes democratic govt. inefficient.
But decisions in a democracy are taken for the good of the people, even if they are delayed.

5. In what way is transparency ensured in a democratic system?

a. In a democracy, decision making is based on norms and procedures.
b. A citizen can find out if a decision has been taken through the correct procedure.
c. A citizen has the right and the means to examine the process of decision making. This is how
transparency is ensured.

6. In terms of cost of time, which govt. is better?

In terms of cost of time, non-democracies are better, as decisions are taken quickly and efficiently. But
these decisions are not acceptable to all the people and not very effective and good in the long run.
So, even though democracies take time to take decisions, it is worth it as the decisions are taken for the
welfare of the people.
7. On what factors does the country’s economic development depend?

The factors are population size, global situation, co-operation from other countries, economic priorities of
the country etc.

8. What do you understand by political equality?

a. Democracies have formal constitutions guaranteeing various rights to all citizens.

b. All people are equal and enjoy the same status under the law.
c. All citizens have the right to vote and each vote has the same value.
d. All citizens have the right to contest elections irrespective of their religion, economic status, educational
qualifications etc.
e. There are political parties which provide choices and political alternatives to the people while voting.

9. Democracy has not been successful in reducing economic inequalities. Give reasons.

a. A small number of ultra rich enjoy a highly disproportionate share of wealth and income. Their share in
the total income of the country is increasing.
b. Govts. have not been very keen to address the issue of inequality and poverty even though the poor
make up a large part of our population and vote bank.
c. The poor have seen their income decline and some even find it difficult to meet the basic necessities of
life.
d. In a country like Bangladesh, more than half of the population live below poverty line.
e. People in several poor countries are now dependent on the rich countries even for food supply.

10. Why do we prefer democracies for economic growth?

a. Evidences gathered over the years show that on an average dictatorial regimes have had a slightly
better record of economic growth – 4.42% growth rate as compared to 3.95% in democracies.
b. But when we compare the record only in poor countries, there is virtually no difference in the growth
rate – poor countries under dictatorship 4.34% and poor countries under democracy 4.28%.
c. We prefer democracies because it has several other positive outcomes. Though economic development
may be slow, democracies work to reduce poverty and economic inequality.

11. What factors can enhance dignity of women in a democracy?

Democracy can enhance the dignity of women when

a. Women are respected and treated as equals.
b. They are given the same rights as men.
c. They can struggle/protest against issues which they feel are unacceptable morally and legally.

12. How does democracy lead to peaceful and harmonious life among citizens? or Democracy is best to
accommodate social diversity.

a. Democracies have the ability to accommodate various social divisions. They usually develop procedures
to conduct their competitions.
b. This reduces the possibilities of tensions becoming violent.
 c. Democracies learn to respect differences among people and evolve mechanisms to negotiate the
differences.
d. In a democracy both the majority and the minority work together so that the govt. functions properly.
e. Everyone is important in a democracy as different persons and groups have a chance of being in
majority at a given point of time.

13. How has democracy succeeded in maintaining the dignity and freedom of citizens?

a. The passion for respect and freedom are the basis of democracy.
b. Democracy recognises the need of every individual to get respect from fellow human beings.
c. In a democracy, all individuals are treated as equals. For eg. Even though women in a democracy do not
always get equal treatment, they can always fight for it as democracy is all about equality.
d. Democracy in India has helped the disadvantaged and discriminated caste to fight for equal status and
opportunities.
e. In a non-democratic set-up, individual freedom and dignity do not have legal and moral force which is
there in a democracy.

14. Democracy stands superior to other forms of government. Justify

a) It promotes dignity and freedom of individuals.
b) Point – 2 of A 14 c) Point 1 of A 14.

15. Why does the examination of democracy never get over?

a. As democracy passes one test, it produces another test.

b. As people get some benefits, they ask for more and want to make democracy even better.
c. People have increasing expectations and so new demands keep coming up.
d. As complaints in a democracy increase , it shows that people have become more aware and have
developed the ability to critically analyse those in power.
e. Public expression of dissatisfaction in a democracy shows the transformation of people from just being
subjects to citizens of a country.

16. Explain how democracy is attentive/responsive to the needs of the people.

a. In a democracy, decisions are taken keeping in mind the needs and wishes of the people.
b. Decisions are taken only after consultations and discussions.
c. The decision making process is transparent and allows people to participate in it.
d. For eg. The govt. has various programmes to provide employment in rural areas- MGNREGA
e. People can object to govt. policies and projects if they feel that it is not in their interest. The govt. has
to either revise the policies /projects or cancel them.

17. Explain any four consequences ( outcomes) on which democracies have failed.

a. Democracies have failed to reduce or remove corruption. Eg. India.

b. Democracies have failed to achieve higher rate of economic growth in comparison to Dictatorships
which have slightly higher rate of growth.
c. Democracies have not been able to reduce economic inequalities. A small percent of the population
enjoys a large share of wealth, while those at the bottom have no money to satisfy even their basic
needs.
d. Democracies have often frustrated the needs of the people and ignored the demands of majority of
the population.
 e. Though elections are free and regular in most democracies, they have been unable to provide a fair
chance to everyone in elections nor has every decision been subject to public debate.
f. Also democratic governments do not have a good record regarding sharing information with citizens.

18. Discuss the various outcomes of democracy.

Political outcomes

 Citizens have the right to choose their leaders who will from the government. So the
government is legitimate.
 It promotes free and fair elections.
 It produces a responsive government which takes care of the needs and aspirations of the
people.
 The government is accountable to the people for its actions. People can criticize government
policies if they don’t agree with it.
 Decisions are taken according to rules and guidelines( transparency) and people have the right
to examine and take part in the decision making process.

Economic outcomes

 The economic development of a country depends upon population size, global situation,
economic policies of the government etc.
 While comparing countries, we find that democracy also has poverty, economic disparity,
inequality of wealth etc.
 When we compare poor countries both democratic and non-democratic, we hardly find a
difference in their growth rate ( 4.34%) and democratic (4.28 %).
 Democratic governments try to reduce poverty and economic disparity.
 In India, the government has many schemes for the welfare of the poor people, schemes to
provide income and employment and to improve the standard of living of the poor. So even if
economic development is slow, the welfare of the people is given more importance over
profits.

Social Outcomes

 Democracy produces a harmonious social life.

 The possibility of social tensions becoming violent is reduced as procedures are developed to
deal with the competition.
 There is accommodation of social diversity as differences are respected and there are
mechanisms to deal with differences. Eg Community government of Belgium.
 Democracy ensures dignity and freedom of individuals by treating everyone equally.
 The disadvantaged sections of the society have legal rights to fight against discrimination and
have the same status and opportunities as others.
 The public have the right to express their dissatisfaction with the government and people
become active citizens in a democracy.

19. What is transparency?

If a citizen in a democracy wants to know whether correct procedures have been followed while taking a
decision, they have the right and the means to examine the process of decision making. This is known as
transparency.