Please see Outcomes of Democracy Exam Questions Class 10 Social Science below. These important questions with solutions have been prepared based on the latest examination guidelines and syllabus issued by CBSE, NCERT, and KVS. We have provided Class 10 Social Science Questions and answers for all chapters in your NCERT Book for Class 10 Social Science. These solved problems for Outcomes of Democracy in Class 10 Social Science will help you to score more marks in upcoming examinations.
Exam Questions Outcomes of Democracy Class 10 Social Science
Objective Type Questions
Question. Which of the following is a feature of dictatorship?
(a) No religious faith
(b) Faith showing supremacy and war
(c) Rule of one individual or party
(d) All of the above
Answer : (d) All of the above
Question. In __________________ , more than half of its population lives in poverty.
(a) Pakistan
(b) India
(c) Bangladesh
(d) Sri Lanka
Answer : (c) Bangladesh
Question. Name the laws which empowers the people to find out what is happening in the government.
(a) Right to Freedom
(b) Right to Information Act
(c) Right to Religion
(d) Right to Constitutional Remedies
Answer : (b) Right to Information Act
Question. Which of the following statement(s) are correct?
(a) On an average, dictatorial regimes have had a better record of economic growth.
(b) Within democracies, there can be very high degree of inequalities.
(c) There is often inequality of opportunities available to the poorer sections.
(d) All the above statements.
Answer : (d) All the above statements.
Question. In a democratic set up, a citizen has the right and the means to examine whether the decision is taken through the correct procedure or not. It is known as:
(a) Transparency
(b) Legitimacy
(c) Democracy
(d) Monarchy
Answer : (a) Transparency
Question. Which of the following is the most basic outcome of democracy?
(a) It has a higher rate of economic growth.
(b) It creates economic equality.
(c) It reduces inequality in income.
(d) It produces a government that is accountable to the citizens and responsive to the needs and expectations of the citizens.
Answer : (d) It produces a government that is accountable to the citizens and responsive to the needs and expectations of the citizens.
Question. Democracies have had greater success in setting up regular and free ______________.
Answer : elections
Question. State whether the following statements are true or false
Democracy can only create conditions to achieve something.
Answer : True
Question. Correct the following statements and rewrite
Democracy has not any ability to generate its own support.
Answer : Democracy’s ability to generate its own support.
Question. In the question given below, there are two statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Read the statements and choose the correct option:
Assertion (A): Democracy is not simply rule by majority opinion. The majority always needs to work with the minority.
Reason (R): Rule by majority does not become rule by majority community in terms of religion or race or linguistic group, etc.
Options:
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true but R is false.
(d) A is false but R is true.
Answer : (b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
Question. Study the given data and answer the question.
Rates of economic growth for different countries, 1950-2000
In compare to democratic regime, what does the table show?
Answer : The table shows that on an average dictorial regimes have had a slightly better record of economic growth. But when we compare their record only in poor countries, there is virtually no difference.
Question. Match the following
(i) Democracy cannot (a) several positive outcomes
(ii) Democracy has (b) much better to any other form of government
(iii) Democracy is (c) guarantee of economic development
(iv) Democracy stands (d) based on political equality
Answer : (i)–(c), (ii)–(a), (iii)–(d), (iv)–(b)
Very Short Answer Type Questions
Question. What is the most basic outcome of democracy?
Answer : It produces a government that is accountable to citizens and responsive to the needs and expectations of the citizens.
Question. Give any one example of economic development in dictatorial regimes.
Answer : Economic development in dictatorial regimes have slightly higher rate. For example in China the rate of economic growth is higher.
Question. Give any one example of social democracy.
Answer : Dignity of individual (gender, caste, religion) is one example of social democracy.
Question. What is meant by dictatorship?
Answer : Dictatorship means “rule by a few”. A particular individual has large powers in the government and exercises his own will while taking the decisions. The dictator has all the powers to take all the decisions–economic, social, intellectual and moral.
Question. Should we blame democracy for socio-economic and political problems?
Answer : If some of our expectations are not met, we start blaming the idea of democracy. The first step towards thinking carefully about the outcomes of democracy is to recognise that democracy is just a form of government. It can create conditions for achieving something.
Question. Why is democratic government better than other alternatives?
Answer : Democratic government enhances the dignity of the individual. It promotes equality among citizens.
Question. What does political equality mean?
Answer : It means that all individuals have equal rights in electing representatives.
Short Answer Type Questions
Question. Examine the political outcome of democracy.
Answer : (i) Right to the citizens to choose their leaders and keep check on them.
(ii) If required people can participate in decision making either directly or through indirectly or through representatives.
(iii) It produces accountable, responsible and legitimate government.
Question. Explain any three weaknesses of democracy.
Answer : (i) Democracies take more time in decision making.
(ii) Democracies fall short of elections that provide a fair chance to everyone and subjecting every decision to public debate.
(iii) The routine takes of corruption are enough to convince that democracies are not free of evil.
Question. When is democracy considered successful? Explain.
Answer : Democracy is considered to be successful because:
(i) The rulers elected by the people must take all major decision and not the rich and powerful.
(ii) The election must offer a free choice and opportunity to the people.
(iii) The choice should be available to all the people based on political equality.
Question. Democracy has not been successful in reducing economic inequalities. Give reasons to support your answer.
Answer : (i) The wealth and means are accumulated in the hands of a few people and their share in the total income of the country has been increasing.
(ii) However, the people at the bottom of society find it difficult to meet even their basic needs of life such as food, clothing, house, education and health. Not only that, their incomes have been declining.
(iii) The deprived people are a large ratio of voters and no party will like to lose their votes. Yet democratically elected governments do not appear to be attentive to the cause of the poor.
Thus, democracies do not appear to be very successful in reducing economic inequalities.
Question. What outcomes can one reasonably expect of democracies’?
Answer : The outcomes one can reasonably expect of the democracy are:
(i) In the political sphere–Right to vote, right to contest.
(ii) In the economic sphere–Minimised economic inequalities.
(iii) In the social sphere–Equal protection to women, SCs, STs and OBCs.
Question. “Democracy accommodates social diversities.” Support the statement with examples.
OR
“Democracy is the best way to accommodate social division.” Justify the statements.
Answer : Democracy accommodates social diversities because:
(i) Democracies 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 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.
Question. Describe the favourable conditions generally provided to people under a democratic rule.
Answer : Favourable conditions generally provided to people under a democratic rule are:
(i) It promotes dignity to everyone irrespective of caste, creed and religion.
(ii) It ensures freedom of the individual.
(iii) It provides equal status and opportunity.
(iv) It provides positive reservation for women and other advantages for discriminated groups.
Question. Describe the role of citizens in a democracy.
Answer : The role of citizens in a democracy are as follows:
(i) Citizens exercise their rights and freedoms and get benefited from democratic set-up.
(ii) They must be aware of their rights and duties.
(iii) They should be aware of the issues and problems the country is facing.
(iv) They must cooperate in maintaining law and order.
(v) People must consider other’s needs and interest also.
Question. Is it reasonable to expect democracies to reduce economic disparities?
OR
Is economic growth in democracies accompanied by increased inequalities among the people?
OR
Do democracies lead to a just distribution of good and opportunities?
Answer : 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.
(iv) In actual life, democracies do not appear to be very successful in reducing economic inequalities because poor constitute a large proportion of our voters and no party will like to lose its votes.
Question. “Complaints are treated as testimony to the success of democracy.” Support the statement with example.
Answer : To some extent complaints are treated as testimony to the success of democracy. We can prove the statement by analysing certain facts like:
(i) Slow and inefficient government: Some people complain that democracy is a less effective governments and it is slow in functioning. There is no doubt that non-democratic government can be more effective because they are fast in their decision making. But it is not certain that decisions are right or wrong.
(ii) Unsuccessful in reducing economic exploitation: There is no denying the fact that democracies do not appear to have been successful in reducing economic inequality. But, it is only possible in a democracy that people can raise their voice against not only economic inequalities, but also against all types of inequalities. All these facts show that complaints are treated as testimony to the success of democracy.
(iii) Expectations from democracy: It also function as the criteria for judging any democratic country. 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.
(iv) Testing in Democracy: 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. That is why, when we ask people about the way democracy functions, they will always come up with more expectations, and many complaints.
Question. “Democratic government is legitimate government.” Support the statement with arguments.
OR
Why is democratic government known as legitimate government?
Answer : A democratic government is called legitimate government because:
(i) it is people’s own government.
(ii) It may be slow, less efficient and not very responsive and clean, but it is people’s government.
(iii) 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.
(iv) People wish to be ruled by representatives elected by them. Democracy’s ability to generate its own support makes it more legitimate.
Question. What are the two conditions to accommodate social diversities in a democracy? Mention any one exception to this.
Answer : (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.
(ii) It is also necessary that rule by majority does not become rule by majority community in terms of religion or race or linguistic group.
The exception is Sri Lanka where majoritarianism is followed.
Question. Are democracies based on political and economic equalities? Explain.
Answer : Democracies are based on political equality:
(i) All citizens have equal role in electing representatives.
(ii) Parallel to the process of bringing individuals into the political arena, we find growing economic inequalities.
(iii) Democracy does not appear to be very successful in reducing economic inequalities.
(iv) The ultra-rich enjoy a highly disproportionate share of wealth and income.
(v) At the bottom of the society, the people have very little to depend on.
(vi) It is difficult to meet their basic needs of life, such as food, clothing, house, education and health.
Question. State any three merits of democracy.
Answer : Merits of democracy are:
(i) Democracy assures equality in every spheres of life like political, social and economic.
(ii) It upholds basic individual liberties like freedom of speech, etc.
(iii) Due obedience to laws.
Long Answer Type Questions
Question. What are the various characteristics of democracy?
OR
Describe any five characteristics of democracy.
Answer : (i) Democracy gives power to people to elect their government, control it and remove it from power. It allows people to choose their representatives through elections and ensures that all its citizens have a say in the functioning of the government.
(ii) There is no monopoly of power by a person or a party. Different political parties compete with each other in a democratic form of government. If the government does not fulfil its promises or fails to live up to the expectations of the people, then it is very likely that it will not get re-elected.
(iii) Democracy ensures that the rights of its people are protected by the state and the government functions according to the laws.
(iv) In a democratic set up, there is no distinction between people based on race, religion, caste, colour or birth. Equal opportunities are provided to all – to be educated, to grow as good citizens and to earn their living.
(v) Criticism and feedback are two important mechanism of democracy to control the government. The government’s policies are scrutinised and evaluated by the people through the media and the opposition parties.
Question. ‘Democracy is based on the idea of deliberation and negotiation’. Examine the statement.
Answer : Democracy is based on the idea of deliberation and negotiation:
(i) Democracy gives importance to deliberation and public opinion.
(ii) 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.
(iv) Democracy ensures that decision making will be based on norms and procedures.
(v) Transparency as Persons have the right and the means to examine the process of decision making.
(vi) It follows procedures and is accountable to the people.
(vii) The democratic government develops mechanisms for citizens to hold the government accountable.
(viii) Democratic government follows mechanisms for citizens to take part in decision making whenever they think fit.
Question. “Democracy stands much superior in promoting dignity and freedom of the citizens.” Justify the statement.
OR
“Democracy is very important for promoting dignity and freedom of the citizens.” Support the statement with arguments.
Answer : “Democracy stands much superior in promoting dignity and freedom to the citizens” due to:
(i) Every individual wants to receive respect from fellow beings.
(ii) The passion for respect and freedom is the basis of any 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.
(v) In many democracies, women were deprived of their right to vote for a long time which they have achieved now.
(vi) In India l/3rd of seats have 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.
Question. “Democracy plays an important role to accommodate social diversity.” Support the statement with examples.
OR
What are the conditions under which democracies accommodate social diversities.
Answer : (i) No society can fully or 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, divisions and conflicts is thus a definite plus point of democratic regimes.
(ii) Democracy continues to be democracy as long as all citizens have a chance to be part of majority at any point of time. If someone is debarred from being part of majority on the basis of birth then democracy is said to be concentrated in the hands of a few people.
(iii) It is necessary to understand that democracy is not simply a rule by majority opinion. The majority always needs to work with the minority so that government can function to represent the opinion of common people.
(iv) The rule of majority should not be ruled by majority on the basis of religion or race or linguistic group, etc. Rule by majority means that in case of every decision or in case of very election, different persons and groups may form a majority.
Question. What are the expected outcomes of democracy? Explain.
Answer : The expected outcomes of democracy are as follows:
(i) A government that is chosen and accountable to the people is called democratic government.
(ii) A government that is responsive to the needs of the people.
(iii) Economic growth and development reducing all forms of inequality and end of poverty.
(iv) Accommodating all social diversities.
(v) Ensuring the dignity and freedom of the individuals.
Question. 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.
Answer : (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) 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.
(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.
Question. How are complaints treated as testimony to the success of democracy? Explain.
Answer : To some extent complaints are treated as testimony to the success of democracy. We can prove the statement by analysing certain facts like:
(i) Slow and inefficient government: Some people complain that democracy is a less effective governments and it is slow in functioning. There is no doubt that non-democratic government can be more effective because they are fast in their decision making. But it is not certain that decisions are right or wrong.
(ii) Unsuccessful in reducing economic exploitation: There is no denying the fact that democracies do not appear to have been successful in reducing economic inequality. But, it is only possible in a democracy that people can raise their voice against not only economic inequalities, but also against all types of inequalities. All these facts show that complaints are treated as testimony to the success of democracy.
(iii) Expectations from democracy: It also function as the criteria for judging any democratic country. 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.
(iv) Testing in Democracy: 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. That is why, when we ask people about the way democracy functions, they will always come up with more expectations, and many complaints.
Question. “Democracies lead to peaceful and harmonious life among citizens”. Support the statement with examples.
OR
Do democracies lead to peaceful and harmonious life among citizens?
Answer : In most countries, the democracy produces a government that is accountable to the citizens and responsive to needs and expectations of the citizens. Thus, it promotes equality among citizens. People wish to be ruled by representatives elected by them as in a democratic government. It makes them believe that it is suitable for their country as it is the legitimate government. Democracies usually develop a procedure to conduct their competition. This reduces the possibility of ethnic tensions becoming explosive or violent.
No society can fully and permanently resolve conflicts among different groups. But we can certainly learn to respect there differences and we can also evolve mechanisms to negotiate the differences. Democracy is best suited to produce this outcome. Belgium is successful example of negotiating differences among ethnic groups. Ability to handle social differences, divisions and conflicts is a definite a plut point of democratic regimes.
Thus, Yes, we can easy say that democracies lead to peaceful and harmonious life among citizens.
Question. “Democracy is seen to be good in principle but felt to be not so good in practice.” Justify the statement.
Answer : Democracy is seen to be good in principles but not in practice because of the following reasons:
(i) The decision-making process in 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 dominates 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.
Question. “Some people think that democracy produces a less effective government.” Analyse the statement.
Answer : It is true some people think that democracy produces a less effective government because:
(i) Non-democratic rulers do not have to bother about deliberation in assemblies or worry about majorities and public opinion.
(ii) They can be very quick and efficient in decision making and implementation.
(iii) But democracy is based on the idea of deliberation and negotiation. So, some delay is bound to take place.
(iv) Most democracies fall short of elections that provide a fair chance to everyone.
(v) Democratic governments do not have a very good record when it comes to sharing information with citizens.
(vi) Democracies often frustrate the needs of the people and often ignore the demands of a majority of its population.
Picture Based Questions
Question. Study the cartoon and answer the question that follows:
Which of the following options best signifies this cartoon?
(a) Most of the resources are utilized by the poor countries.
(b) Most of the resources are utilized by the developing ountries.
(c) Most of the resources are utilized by the developed countries.
(d) Most of the resources are utilized by the landowners.
Answer : (c) Most of the resources are utilized by the developed countries.
Case Based Questions
Question. Read the source given below and answer the questions by choosing the most appropriate option.
Over a hundred countries of the world today claim and practice some kind of democratic politics: they have formal constitutions, they hold elections, they have parties and they guarantee rights of citizens. While these features are common to most of them, these democracies are very much different from each other in terms of their social situations, their economic achievements and their cultures. Clearly, what may be achieved or not achieved under each of these democracies will be very different. But is there something that we can expect from every democracy, just because it is democracy.
(i) Which among the following is incorrect in context of assessing democracy?
(a) Guarantees rights of citizens.
(b) Never fulfils people’s demand
(c) Dignity and freedom of citizens
(d) Free and fair elections
Answer : (b) Never fulfils people’s demand
(ii) Democracy has been failed in reducing
(a) political equalities
(b) economic inequalities
(c) economic equalities
(d) social inequalities
Answer : (c) economic equalities
(iii) How can you say that democracy is different from one another?
Answer : Democracy is different from one another in terms of economic activities, social situations and culture.
(iv) What is the basic outcome of democracy?
Answer : Political outcome, and social and economical outcome.
Question. Read the source given below and answer the questions by choosing the most appropriate option.
Take the case of dignity of women. Most societies across the world were historically male dominated societies. Long struggles 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 actually always treated with respect. But once the principle is recognised, it becomes easier for women to wage a struggle against what is now unacceptable legally and morally. In a nondemocratic set up, this unacceptability would not have legal basis because the principle of individual freedom and dignity would not have the legal and moral force there. The same is true of caste inequalities. Democracy in India has strengthened the claims of the disadvantaged and discriminated castes for equal status and equal opportunity. There are instances still of caste-based inequalities and atrocities, but these lack the moral and legal foundations. Perhaps it is the recognition that makes ordinary citizens value their democratic rights.
(i) In which of the following set up freedom and dignity would not have the legal and moral force? (1)
(a) Democratic
(b) Non-democratic
(c) Sovereignty
(d) Republic
Answer : (b) Non-democratic
(ii) Equal treatment of __________________ are necessary ingredients of a democratic society.
(a) all man and women
(b) women
(c) political parties
(d) living organism
Answer : (b) women
(iii) Which two sections of society get special emphasis in India regarding equal status and equal opportunities?
Answer : Women, and the disadvantaged and discriminated castes and tribes.
(iv) Have the disadvantaged and discriminated castes gained in strength due to democrary?
Answer : Yes, they have gained in strength due to democracy.
Question. Read the source given below and answer the questions by choosing the most appropriate option.
There are some things that democracy must provide. In a democracy, we are most concerned with ensuring that people will have th right to choose their rulers and people will have control over the rulers. Whenever possible and necessary, citizens should be able to participate in decision making, that affects them all. 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.
(i) Which of the following is a feature of dictatorship?
(a) No religious faith
(b) Faith showing supremacy and war
(c) Rule of one individual or party
(d) All of these
Answer : (d) All of these
(ii) ––––––– believe that democracy is necessary for their country.
(a) Centre and State Governments
(b) NGOs
(c) People
(d) Political parties
Answer : (c) People
(iii) Give the most basic outcome of democracy.
Answer : It produces a government that is accountable to the citizens and responsive to the needs and expectations of the citizens.
(iv) Democratic government is a legitimate government. Why?
Answer : It accommodates social diversities. It is people’s own government elected by the people and it leads to peaceful harmonious life.
