CHAPTER 5:OUTCOMES OF DEMOCRACY
Q. No. 1) Explain the common features of democracies.
Ans. The following are the common features of democracies:
I)Regular elections: In a democratic government, general elections are held to elect a new government.
ii)Right to vote: All the citizens of the country, of and above a certain age, have the right to vote.
iii)Political parties: political parties are an essential part of democracy. They put up candidates who contest the election.
iv)Rule of law: Another common feature of all democracies is that it ensures rule of law. Law is supreme and all citizens are equal in the eyes of law. No one is above the law.
Q. No. 2) “Democracy is based on the idea of deliberation and negotiation.” Examine the statement.
Ans.
I)Democracy gives importance to deliberation and public opinion.
ii)To the democratic government will take more time to follow procedures before arriving at a decision.
iii)Its decisions may be both more acceptable to the people and more effective.
I)Democracy ensures that decision-making wil tel be based on norms and procedures.
Q. No. 3) “A democratic government is efficient and effective.” Analyze the statement.
Or,
“The cost of time that democracy pays is perhaps worth it.” Justify.
Ans.
I)Non democratic government may take decisions very fast. But it may take decisions that are not accepted by the people and may, therefore, face problems.
Ii) In contrast, the democratic government will take more time to follow procedures before arriving at a decision.
iii)However, because it has followed procedure, its decisions may be more acceptable to the people and more effective. So, the cost of time that democracy pays is perhaps worth it.
Q. No. 4) Why is a democratic government referred to as a legitimate government?
Ans.
•A democratic government is called a legitimate government because it is the people’s own government.
•There is great popular support for the idea of democracy all over the world.
•People wish to be ruled by representatives elected by them.
•Democratic government is attentive to the needs and demands of the people.
Q. No. 5) How can we measure democracy based on expected outcomes?
Ans. To measure a democracy based on its expected outcomes we have to observe the following practices and institutions:
•In a democracy, there should be free and fair elections.
•There should be open criticism and debate on major policies and legislation.
•Citizens should have the right to information about the functioning of government.
Q. No. 6) What is the relationship between democracy and the economic growth of a country?
Ans. Relationship between democracy and the economic growth of a country:
•During the last 50 years, dictatorships have shown a slightly higher rate of economic growth compared to democracies.
•But many other factors determine the economic growth of a country like – population size, global situation, cooperation from other countries, economic priorities adopted by the country, etc.
•So even when there is a nominal difference in the rate of economic growth between countries under dictatorship and democracy, it is better to prefer democracy as it has several other positive outcomes like dignity and freedom of citizens.
Q. No. 7) Explain the relationship between democracy and development.
Ans. Relationship between democracy and development:
•Democracies are expected to produce development.
•Development depends upon many factors, i.e., the size of the population, global situation, cooperation from other countries, etc. In democracies, time is taken to discuss and reach a decision. So, it is slow, but it is not unjust or inappropriate.
Q. No. 8) ‘There is overwhelming support for the idea of democracy in South Asia.’ Support the statement with examples.
Ans.
•Democratic government is the people's own government.
•Countries from South Asia want democratic rights for people.
•Countries want to elect their representatives by themselves.
•Democracy provides dignity and freedom to its citizens.
•Democracy accommodates social diversity.
•Democracy is based on the idea of discussion and negotiation.
•For example India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan.
Q. No. 9) Differentiate between democratic and non-democratic government.
Ans.
•Democratic governments are transparent, legitimate, and accountable whereas non-democratic governments are selected and formed at their own discretion.
•The democratic government provides dignity and freedom to all without any discrimination.
•Conflicts are resolved through debate, discussions, and negotiation rather than discretion.
•Minority and majority cooperation are common phenomena in the democratic government.
•Enhances the dignity of all without any discrimination.
Q. No. 10) How is Democracy a better form of government when compared with dictatorship or any other alternative government?
Ans. Democracy is a better form of government when compared with dictatorship or any other alternative form of government because it:
•Promotes equality among citizens.
•Enhances the dignity of the individual.
•Improves the quality of decision-making.
•Provides a method to resolve conflicts.
•Allows room to correct mistakes.
Q. No. 11) Are democracies based on political and economic equality? Explain.
Or,
Does democracy lead to a reduction of inequality and poverty? Explain.
Ans.
•Democracies are based on political equality and all individuals have an equal role in electing representatives.
•However, parallel to the process of bringing individuals into the political arena, we find growing economic inequalities.
•A small number of ultra-rich enjoy a highly disproportionate share of wealth and incomes, while the poor find it difficult to fulfill their basic needs of life like food, shelter, and clothing.
•The poor constitute a high proportion of our voters and no party would like to lose their votes.
•However, democratically elected governments do not appear to be keen to address the problem of poverty as people may expect.
Q. No. 12) “Democracy accommodates social diversities.” Support the statement with examples.
Ans.
•Democracies 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 can evolve a mechanism to negotiate these differences.
•The ability to handle social differences, divisions, and conflicts is a definite plus point of democratic regimes.
•Example: Belgium has successfully negotiated differences among its ethnic population. This reduces the possibility of tensions.
Q. No. 13) Do democracies lead to peaceful and harmonious life among citizens? Clarify.
Ans. i. Non-democratic regimes often turn a blind eye to or suppress internal social differences. The ability to handle social differences, divisions, and conflicts is thus a definite plus point of democratic regimes.
ii. But, the example of Sri Lanka exhibits that democracy must fulfill two conditions in order to achieve this outcome:
iii)Democracy is not simply ruled by majority opinion. The majority always needs to work with the minority so that governments function to represent the general view.
iv)Rule by the majority does not become rule by the majority community in terms of religion or race or linguistic group, etc.
Q. No. 14) How does democracy assure the dignity of women and prevent caste inequalities?
Or, Explain the message shown in the cartoon below.
Ans.
•In the case of the dignity of women, most societies across the world were historically male-dominated societies.
•Long struggles by women have created some sensitivity today that respect for and equal treatment of women are necessary ingredients of a democratic society.
•That does not mean that women are actually always treated with respect. But once the democratic principle is recognized, it becomes easier for women to wage a struggle against what is now unacceptable legally and morally.
•Democracy in India has strengthened the claim of the disadvantaged and discriminated castes for equal status and equal opportunity.
•There are still instances of caste-based inequalities and atrocities, but these lack moral and legal foundations.
Q. No. 15) Explain any four areas where democracy has failed.
Ans.
•If democracy is expected to produce good government then it is fair to expect that it would also produce development. Evidence shows that many democracies did not fulfill this expectation. The inability of democracy to achieve higher economic development worries us.
•Democracy is a government of the people. Hence one can expect it to reduce economic disparities. But, it is a bitter truth that even when a country achieved economic growth, wealth is not distributed in such a way that all citizens of the country will share and lead a better life.
•Democracy has also failed on the issue of poverty reduction. A smaller number of ultra-rich enjoy a highly disproportionate share of wealth and income. Those at the bottom of society have very little to depend upon. The income has been declining.
•Democracies often frustrate the need of the people and often ignore the demands of the majority of their population. The routing talks of corruption are enough to convince us that democracy is not free of evil.
Q16.How does democracy produce an accountable, responsive and legitimate government?
Answer:
•Democracy produces an accountable government as all the citizens of the country have the right to choose their representatives. If the government does not work in a proper way then people have the right to remove it in the next elections. That is why the elected government is accountable to the people. People are also the part of decision-making process of the country.
•Democracy produces a responsive government in a country as people elect the governments and that government is responsible to the people and parliament. Democratic government generally takes care of the needs and opinion of the people.
•Democratic government is legitimate as it is people’s own government. People wish to be ruled by representatives elected by them. They believe that democracy is suitable for their country. Democracy’s ability to generate its own support is itself an outcome that cannot be ignored.
Q. No. 17) Constant complaints by people can be seen as a testimony to the success of democracy. Explain.
Ans.
•Complaints highlight the awareness of the people and their expectations of the system that has been put in place.
•It reflects that citizens are not overawed by those in power and can objectively and critically examine the difference they have made.
•It is a measure of their participation in public debates.
•A public expression of dissatisfaction with democracy shows the success of the democratic project.
•It shows that people have transformed themselves from being subject to being citizens.
Q. No. 18) A think tank has been given the task of designing an outline to measure how successful has democracy been in any country.
Discuss the key indicators that the think tank should consider while designing this outline and explain why these factors are crucial in assessing the outcomes of democracy.
Ans.
•Free and fair elections: this represents a healthy democratic process in place.
•Citizen's right to information: this is important since only after having the right information can the citizens hold the government accountable.
•Protection of minority rights: this represents a strong commitment to democratic principles as this would enable the minority community to participate in the decision-making processes.
•Poverty: reduction in poverty over the years would indicate the successful implementation of democracy.
•Rule of law: presence of institutions like an independent judiciary helps uphold law and ensures fairness, justice, and equal treatment to citizens.
