Outcomes of Democracy

Very Short Answer Questions

1. What is the basic outcome of democracy?

Answer: The most basic outcome of democracy is that it produces a government that
is accountable to citizens and responsive to the needs and expectations of the
citizens.

2. What are the common features of democracy in most of the countries of the
world?

Answer: Most of the democratic countries of the world today have formal
constitutions, they hold elections, they have parties and they guarantee rights of
citizens.

3. Are non-democratic rulers quick and efficient in decision making? Explain.

Answer: It is true that non-democratic rulers do not have to bother about

deliberations in assemblies or worry about majesties and public opinion. So, they can
be very quick and efficient in decision making and implementation.

4. “In comparison to non-democratic government, decision of government takes

time.” Does democracy pay its price? Explain.

Answer: The democratic governments take more time to follow procedures before
arriving at a decision. But because it has followed procedures, its decisions may be
both more to the people and more effective.

5. What do you understand by ‘transparency’ in democracy?

OR

Explain the meaning of transparency in democracy.

Answer: In democracy, decision making are based on norms and procedures. A

citizen has the right and the means to examine the process of decision making. This is
known as transparency.

6. Are democracies corrupt? Explain your argument.

Answer: Democracies often frustrate the needs of the people and often ignore the
demands of a majority of its population. The routine tales of corruption are enough
to convince us that democracy is not free of this evil.

7. How far does economic inequalities exist in democratic countries?

Answer: In democracies, a small number of ultra-rich enjoy a highly disproportionate

share of wealth and incomes. Not only that, their share in the total income of the
country has been increasing. Those at the bottom of the society suffer.

8. How democracy is considered best to accommodate social diversity?

Answer: In democracy, we can certainly learn to respect social differences and we

can evolve mechanism to negotiate the differences. In fact, democracy is best suited
to reduce this outcome.

9. How does democracy remove the gap between majority and minority in the
country?

Answer: Rule by majority means that in case of every decision or in case of every
election, different persons and groups may and can form a majority. Democracy
remains democracy only as long as every citizen has a chance of being in majority at
some point of time.

10. Do you agree that democracy promotes dignity of the citizen? Explain.

Answer: Often conflicts arise among individuals because some feel that they are not
treated with due respect. The passions for respect and freedom are the basis of
democracy. Democracy no doubt promotes dignity of the citizen and treats everyone
equally.

11. Has democracy in India straightened the claims of discriminated castes for equal
status?

Answer: In India, these are instances still of caste-based inequalities and atrocities
but these lack the moral and legal foundations. Democracy has helped providing
equal status and equal opportunities to the discriminated castes in India.
12. Explain the dilemma with respect to the practical aspect of democracy.

Answer: As per principle, democracy seems good but fails to impress in practice. This
dilemma provokes to give a thought to the outcomes of democracy. Do we prefer
democracy over moral reasons? Or there are some sensible reasons to support
democracy too?

13. Explain any one difference between a pressure group and a political party.

Answer: One difference between a pressure group and a political party is Political
parties contest elections and hold power in the government while pressure groups
attempt to influence government policies.

14. Why is there an overwhelming support to democracy all over the world? Explain
one reason.

Answer: There is an overwhelming support to democracy all over the world: Because
it is accountable, responsive and legitimate government.

Short & Long

1.Describe any five factors that make democracy a better form of government than
other alternatives.

OR

“Democracy is a better form of government than any other form of government”.

Justify the statement.

Ans. Democracy is widely regarded as the best form of government, primarily due to
the following reasons:

Promotes Equality among Citizens: In a democratic society, all citizens are equal
before the law. Every individual has the same weight in electing representatives,
regardless of their social status or economic standing. This helps to ensure that the
government is representative of the entire population, and that the needs and
concerns of all citizens are taken into account.

Enhances the Dignity of the Individual: Democracy promotes the dignity and freedom
of the individual by granting equal rights to all citizens. Women, as well as individuals
from deprived and discriminated castes, are given equal treatment and respect in a
democratic society. This helps to ensure that all individuals are able to live with a
sense of self-respect and autonomy.

Improves the Quality of Decision-Making:Democracy encourages open debate and

discussion, which helps to improve the quality of decision-making. By allowing
different viewpoints to be heard and considered, democratic governments are better
able to make informed decisions that benefit the entire population.

Provides a Method to Resolve Conflicts: Democracy reduces the possibility of social

tension by providing a peaceful method for resolving conflicts. By allowing for dissent
and disagreement, democratic societies are better able to address grievances and
correct mistakes, leading to a more harmonious social life.

Ensures Legitimacy of the Government: A democratic government is considered

legitimate because it receives popular support from the people through regular, free,
and fair elections. This helps to ensure that the government is accountable to the
people and that their needs and concerns are taken into account when making
decisions.

2.Describe the importance of democratic government as an accountable and

legitimate government.

Answer:

• It produces a government that is accountable to citizens.

• It is responsive to the needs and expectations of citizens.
• It ensures that decision making will be based on norms and procedures for
transparency making it accountable.
• It has great success in setting up regular and free elections.
• Democracy’s ability to generate its own support is the most positive feature.

3.Describe any five outcomes of Democracy.

Ans. Five outcomes of Democracy:

• Accountable, responsive and legitimate government.

• Economic growth and development.
 • Reduction of inequality and poverty.
• Accommodation of social diversity.
• Dignity and freedom of the citizens

4.Democratic governments in practice are known as accountable.” Support the

statement with arguments.

Democratic governments in practice are accountable because:

(i) It is right to expect democracy to form a government that follows procedures and
is accountable to the people.

(ii) It is also expected that the democratic government develops mechanisms for
citizens to take part in decision making whenever they think it as fit.

(iii) The democratic government is accountable to the people. If it ignores the will of
the people, they will not elect their ruler in the next general election.

(iv) The procedures and decision-making process should be transparent for

democratic government to be accountable to the people.

If we examine critically the record is not good on giving fair choice in elections and
also do not subject every decision on public debate.

5.Explain the meaning of transparency in democracy.

• Citizens should have the rights and means to find out and examine the process
of decision making. It is
called transparency
• The decision-making process may be slower than nondemocratic regimes but
the delay is compensated by a more worthy, correct and suitable decisions.
• Govt should develop mechanisms for citizens to hold the Govt Accountable
right to information.
• It is right to expect democracy to produce a govt that follows and is
accountable to people

6.How is democratic government known as responsive government? Explain with an

example.
A Responsive Government It is expected from a democracy that

• Govt is attentive to the needs and demands of the people

• Govt is largely free from the evil of Democracy
• People should feel that Govt listens to their grievances and properly addresses
them.
• A government which is able to respond to grievances faster is able to avoid
confrontation and provide good governance.

But the record of democracies is not impressive in terms of responsiveness and

corruption issues.

• Democracies often frustrate the needs of people

• Ignore demands of the majority
• Democracies are not free from the evil of corruption – The routine tales of
corruption are enough to convince us that democracy is not free from this evil
but non-democratic governments are also not free from corruption.

7.Democratic government is legitimate government.” Support the statement with

arguments.

o A democratic government is called a legitimate government because it

is people’s own government.
o Rule of law is applicable equally to all citizens and a
o All powers are drawn from the Constitution
o It may be slow, less efficient and not very responsive and clean, but it is
people’s government.
o There is overwhelming support for the idea of democracy all over the
world. People of South Asia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan and
Nepal have no doubt about the suitability of democracy for their own
country.
o People wish to be ruled by representatives elected by them.
o Democracy itself generates support for itself which makes it the most
popular form of government

8. “Democracies do not appear to be very successful in reducing economic

inequalities”. Justify the statement.

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 examples.

Ans. Assessment of Success of Democracies in reducing economic inequalities:

(i) We find growing economic inequalities in democratic countries.

(ii) A small number of ultra-rich enjoys a highly disproportionate share of wealth and
incomes.

(iii) Their share in the total income of the country has been increasing.

(iv) The income of poor has been declining and sometimes they find it difficult to
meet their basic needs of life.

(v) Though democracies gradually reducing the number of poor from poverty and
hunger.

• Example- In Bangladesh more than half of people lives in poverty

• It is also true that several poor countries are dependent on the rich countries
for food supplies. Example- In S. Africa and Brazil the top 20% people share
more than 60% of the national income and the bottom 20 % people share less
than 3% in the national income.

We can say that economic disparities and inequalities are increasing in democracy.
The governments do not appear to be successful in providing economic justice.

9. Establish the relationship between democracy and the development.

Ans. Relationship between democracy and development

i. Democracies are expected to produce economic development

ii. Inability of Democracy to achieve higher economic development is a matter of

worry

iii. The economic development depends on several factors like-

• Population size of the country

• Global situations
• Cooperation from other countries
• Economic priorities and policies of govt

iv. The dictatorships are slightly better from democracies in terms of economic
achievements

v. But it is better to prefer democracy because it has many other positive outcomes
10.. How is social diversity accommodated in democracy? Explain with examples.

OR. On the basis of which values will it be a fair expectation that democracy should
produce a harmonious social life? Explain.

OR. “Democracy accommodates social diversities.” Support the statement with

examples.

Ans. Democracy accommodates social diversities:

(i) Democracies develop a procedure to conduct their competition. This reduces the
possibility of social 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 can evolve a mechanism
to negotiate these differences.

(iii) Ability to handle social differences, divisions and conflicts is thus a definite plus
point of democratic regimes.

(iv) Example: Belgium has successfully negotiated differences among its ethnic
population. This reduces the possibility of tensions.

11. What are the two conditions to accommodate social diversities in a democracy?
Mention any one exception to this.

Ans. Two conditions necessary to accommodate the social diversity

I. Democracy is not simply the rule of majority •

• Majority and minority should work together to produce a general view for the
government •
• Majority and minority opinions are not permanent

II. Rule by majority does not mean rule by majority community in terms of religion or
race or linguistic group •

• Rule by majority means different persons or groups have a chance to form a

majority •
• The true democracy creates conditions fit for every citizen to be part of a
majority at some point of time •
• The democratic rule ceases (stops working) to be accommodative (sab ko
saath le ke chalna) when it bars someone from being a part of a majority. •
• An exceptional example of Sri Lanka- Here the policy of majoritarianism is
followed.
 12.“Democracy stands much superior to any other form of government in
promoting dignity and freedom of the individual.” Justify this statement.
OR.

“Respect and equal treatment of women are necessary ingredients of a

democratic society”. Examine the statement. ]

Ans. “Democracy stands much superior in promoting dignity and freedom of the
citizens”:

(i) Every individual wants to receive respect from fellow beings.

(ii) The passion for respect and freedom are basis of democracy.

(iii) Democracies throughout the world have recognized this. It has been achieved in
various degrees in various democracies.

(iv) Long struggles by women have got them respect and equal treatment and now
accepted as necessary ingredients of a democratic society.

(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 has been reserved for women in local bodies.

(vii) Democracy has strengthened the claims of the disadvantaged and discriminated
castes for equal status and equal opportunity.

(viii) Legal basis which works on the principle of individual freedom and dignity

13.. ‘Complaints are treated as testimony to the success of democracy.’ Justify this
statement.
OR.

‘A public expression of dissatisfaction with democracy shows the success of

democratic project.’ Justify the statement.

Public dissatisfaction with democracy shows the success of democracy

• People have ever-increasing expectations from democracy

• The most distinctive about democracy is that its examination is never over.
 • Benefits of democracy make people ask for more and it makes democracy
even better.
• The fact that people are complaining is itself a testimony (witness or sakshya)
to the success of democracy.
• People are aware of their rights to criticize the Govt and it keeps the power
holders in check
• Public dissatisfaction with government shows the success of the democratic
project
• People are aware of the power of their votes to make the Govt function to
their own self-interest

14. ‘Democracy is seen to be good in principle but felt to be not so good in practice.’
Justify the statement.

OR.

‘Some people think that democracy produces a less effective government.’ analyse
the statement.

Ans. Democracy is seen to be good in principles but not in practice because of the
following reasons:

(i) The decision-making process in a democracy is time-taking, whereby justice

delayed is justice denied.

(ii) The tyranny of the majority overrides the will of the minority.

(iii) Corruption and red-tapism dominate the functioning of democracies.

(iv) An illiterate and uninformed electorate fails to give itself a legitimate and
accountable government.

(v) The role of charismatic leaders and dynastic politics dominates political cultures.