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Revision Notes Chapter 7 Outcomes of Democracy
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DEMOCRACY –Ruled by elected representatives of the people
FEATURES OF DEMOCRACY
- have formal constitution
- hold elections
- have parties and they guarantee right to citizens
- promotes equality among citizens.
- enhances the dignity of individual.
- Improves the quality of decision making
- Provides a method to resolve conflict
- Allows room to correct mistakes.
Reason for democratic government certainly better than its alternatives.
Democratic – Right to choose their leaders and people have control of the rulers Accountable and responsible to the do needs and expectations of the citizens Based on the idea of negotiations (take more time in decision making as the decision taken must be more effective and acceptable to follow procedures) and norms. Transparency in decision making (citizens can know about it) Free and fair elections, open public debate on major policies right to information Peoples own government.
Non democratic – Less effective, non-democratic rulers not have to bother about public opinion and worry about majorities. Quick and efficient in decision making but decision taken may not be accepted by people to face problem. No transparency.
Demerits –
- often ignore the demands of Majority
- Contribution to economic growth and development –
- Factors of economic development-
- Country‘s population size,
- Global situation,
- Cooperation from other countries, Economic priorities adopted by the country etc.
- The role of democracy in the reduction of inequality and poverty is not very successful.
- Though based on political equality (one vote one value) – the growing economic inequality still exists between rich and poor
- Some unable to meet the basic needs in life.
Steps taken to reduce inequality and poverty –
- Minimum needs program for the poor
- Distribution of surplus land
- Reservation of jobs for backward classes
- Social security – old age pension, free medical aid, subsidized housing, more employment opportunities.
Accommodation of social diversity –
(Democracy remains as long as every citizen has a chance of being in majority)
Dignity and freedom of citizens-
- Every individual wants to receive respect from fellow beings – (all individuals are equal)
- Freedom of expression to the people –their expectations and complaints are itself a testimony to the success of democracy.
- Eg. Struggle for dignity by women, if recognized, they can always easily project (moral courage) of their problems.
Objective Type Questions
Question. Why is Democratic Government better than other alternatives?
(a) It promotes equality among political parties.
(b) It helps in economic growth.
(c) It helps in creating a pollution-free environment.
(d) It promotes equality among citizens.
Answer : Option (d) is correct.
Question. In which area does Democracy fail to achieve the same results as in Dictatorship?
(a) Social development
(b) Economic development
(c) Political development
(d) Development on the basis of religion
Answer : Option (b) is correct.
Question. What is meant by an Accountable government?
(a) In an accountable a government, people have the right to elect the leaders to form government and if possible they participate in decision-making process.
(b) In an accountable government, people do not have the right to elect leaders.
(c) In an accountable government, people are a part of decision-making process.
(d) In an accountable government, only a privileged section of the society is allowed to vote.
Answer : Option (a) is correct.
Question.
(a) (i)-(a), (ii)-(b), (iii)-(c), (iv)-(d)
(b) (i)-(d), (ii)-(c), (iii)-(b), (iv)-(a)
(c) (i)-(c), (ii)-(a), (iii)-(d), (iv)-(b)
(d) (i)-(b), (ii)-(d), (iii)-(a), (iv)-(c)
Answer : Option (b) is correct.
Question. Analyze the information given below, considering one of the following correct options:
“Democracy stands much superior to any other form of government in promoting dignity and freedom of the individual. Every individual wants to receive respect from fellow beings. Often conflicts arise among individuals because some feel that they are not treated with due respect. The passion for respect and freedom the basis of democracy.”
(a) Dignity and freedom of disadvantaged groups.
(b) Dignity and freedom of women.
(c) Dignity and freedom of the citizens
(d) Accommodation of social diversity
Answer : Option (c) is correct.
Question. Find the incorrect option from the following:
(a) Democracy enhances the dignity of the individual.
(b) It provides a method to resolve conflicts.
(c) Improves the quality of decision making.
(d) Allows room to make more mistakes.
Answer : Option (d) is correct.
Assertion and Reason Based Questions
Question. Assertion (A): At least one fourth of the globe is still not under Democratic government.
Reason (R): Because the challenge for Democracy in these parts of the world is very stark.
Option:
(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 and R is true.
Answer : Option (a) is correct.
Question. Assertion (A): Transparency means openness, communication and accountability of the government.
Reason (R): Transparency is considered missing in a Democratic government.
Option:
(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 and R is true.
Answer : Option (c) is correct.
Question. Assertion (A): Democratic reforms are to be brought about principally through political practice.
Reason (R): Any proposal for political reforms should think only about what is a good solution but not care about who will implement it and how.
Option:
(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 and R is true.
Answer : Option (c) is correct.
Very Short Answer Type Questions
Question. Which form of government is better – Democratic or Non-democratic?
Answer : Democratic government.
Question. How can Democratic reforms be carried out by politically conscious citizens?
Answer : Democratic reforms can be carried out by politically conscious citizens by increasing and improving the quality of political participation i.e., active participation in the functioning of the government.
Question. How can you say that Democracies are based on Political Equality?
Answer : Democracy gives political equality by granting every individual the Right to vote.
Short Answer Type Questions
Question. How does democracy produce an accountable, responsive and legitimate government?
Answer :
- Democracy is a form of government in which people rule themselves through the representatives who are elected by them.
- The elected members from the government and make policies to run the administration of the country.
- The government elected by the people is also accountable to them.
Question. List the factors on which the Economic development of a country depends on ?
Answer :
- Country‘s population size
- Global situation
- Cooperation from other countries
- Economic priorities adopted by the country
Question. How does democracies accommodate social diversity?
Answer :
- It is necessary to understand that democracy is not simply ruled by majority opinion. The majority always needs to work with the minority
- It is also necessary that rule by majority does not become rule by majority community
- Democracy remains a democracy as long as every citizen has a choice of living in majority, at same point of time
Question. When is Democracy considered successful? Explain.
Answer : Democracy is considered to be successful when:
(i) The Rulers elected by the people take all major decisions and not the rich and powerful.
(ii) The Elections offer a free choice and opportunity to the people.
(iii) The choice available to all the people is based on political equality.
Question. How is Democratic government known as Responsive government? Explain with an example.
Answer : A Democratic government has to be responsive to the needs of its citizens.
(i) Through pressure groups, and public protests, the democratic government can check the popularity of its decisions and mechanism of administering justice.
(ii) A government that can respond to grievances faster can avoid confrontation and provide good governance.
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 the 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. How can a Democratic government be made accountable? Explain.
Answer : A Democratic government can be made accountable by:
(i) Conducting discussions and negotiations.
(ii) Ensuring transparency.
(iii) Holding regular, free and fair elections.
(iv) Having open public debates.
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 decisionmaking 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.
Question. ‘It may be reasonable to expect from a Democratic government that is attentive to the needs and demands of the people and is largely free of corruption.’ Explain this statement in three points.
Answer : Corruption of government:
(i) Democracies often frustrate the needs of people and often ignore the demands of the majority.
(ii) The routine tales of corruption are enough to convince us that democracy is not free from this evil.
(iii) But a Democratic government is people’s own government and pays heed to their demands.
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 tales of corruption are enough to convince that democracies are not free of evil.
Question. Discuss any three factors that describe the successful working of democracy in India.
Answer : The factors which are responsible for the Successful Working of Democracy in India are:
(i) In India, there is an autonomous Election Commission. Free and fair elections are held periodically. The people elect their representatives through the Election Procedure.
(ii) The local governments take care of the issues about their regions. The Panchayati Raj system enables people to participate in governance.
(iii) Freedom of press and media enables the people to be well informed about governmental activities.
(iv) In India, there are a large number of Political Parties with different bases. They compete with each other to get public support. They participate in the Democratic process.
Question. Explain the ways in which Democracy can be redefined to make democracy more effective.
Answer : Ways in which democracy can be redefined to make democracy more effective:
(i) Ensures that views of the minority are respected.
(ii) Eliminates caste, religion and gender-based discrimination.
(iii) People enjoy extensive rights from right to vote to participate in elections.
(iv) People enjoy social and economic rights.
Question. How Democracies have been able to reduce Poverty? Elaborate.
Answer : Democracies do not appear to be very successful in reducing economic inequalities. Although the majority of voters constitute the poverty ridden group, yet democratically elected governments do not appear to be as keen to address the question of poverty as you would expect them to. The situation is much worse in some of the countries where people depend upon rich countries for food supplies. But even then, democracy is favoured because it provides the opportunity to change the rulers.
Question. How is Social diversity accommodated in Democracy? Explain with examples.
OR
What are the two conditions to accommodate Social diversities in a Democracy? Mention any one exception to this.
OR
What are the conditions under which Democracies accommodate Social diversities?
Answer : (i) It is necessary to understand that democracy is not simply ruled by the majority. The majority always needs to work with the minority so that governments function to represent the general view.
(ii) It is also necessary that rule by majority does not become rule by the majority community in terms of religion or race or linguistic group. The exception is Sri Lanka where majoritarianism is followed.
Long Answer Type Questions
Question. What is democracy? What are its various characteristics?
Answer : Democracy is a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and the Representatives of the people, elected by the voters on the basis of universal adult franchise.
- It promotes equality among citizens.
- It looks after the interest of the people
- It allows rooms to correct mistakes.
- accommodation of social diversity
Question. Explain the expected outcome from democracy?
Answer :
- Economic equality : It is expected from the democracy that economic inequality should be removed from our country.
- Decentralization of power : Power should be decentralized and divided from higher level to lower levels accommodation of social diversity.
- Principles of equality : All citizens of India should be given social justice, there should be no discrimination with any one of them basis of caste, color, creed, religion etc.
Question. “ Democracy is better than any other form of government” Give arguments in favor of these Statement?
Answer : Democracy is considered to be the best form of government and most of the countries in the world have adopted it. Following are the merits of democracy.
- It is based on public opinion: Democracy is that system of rule which is based on public opinion and the rule is being run according to the wish of the people.
- It is based on principles of equality: All humans in democracy are considered as equal. No one gets special privileges
- Responsible government: Government in monarchy and dictatorship are not responsive to anyone. But government in democracy is responsible to the people and parliament
- Strong and efficient government: Administration is being run by the representatives of the people who have the support of public. Rulers are controlled by public opinion and they are responsive to the people for their decisions Accommodate all diversities and differences.
Question. “Democracy stands much superior to any other form of government in promoting dignity and freedom of the individual.” Justify this statement.
OR
“Democracy is very important for promoting dignity and freedom of the citizens.” Support this statement with arguments.
OR
“Democracy stands much superior in promoting dignity and freedom of the citizens”. Justify the statement.
OR
Explain with examples, how the dignity and freedom of citizens are best guaranteed in a Democracy.
Answer : freedom of individuals.
(i) People want respect and dignity from fellow beings. The promotion of dignity and freedom of individual is foundation store of Democracy.
(ii) It has moral and legal force in Constitution. However, no such provision in other forms of government.
(iii) There is no discrimination based on race, religion, caste, sex and creed.
(iv) Women have agitated for equal rights and opportunities as men. Democracy has helped in voicing their views and proper support.
(v) Once, something has a legal force. It becomes easier to raise demands and hold respect. This has improved the situation of Women.
(vi) This has also helped in empowerment and respect for untouchables by promoting their interests. It is a legitimate government.
Conclusion: Thus, it stands much superior to any other form of grant promoting dignity and freedom of the individual.
Question. “Democracies do not appear to be very successful in reducing economic inequalities”. Justify the statement.
OR
“Democracies are not appearing to be very successful in reducing economic inequalities.” Analyse the statement.
Answer : 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 the poor has been decline 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.
Question. “Complaints are treated as testimony to the success of Democracy.” Justify this statement.
OR
How are complaints treated as testimony to the success of Democracy? Explain.
Answer : Complaints are treated as testimony:
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. A public expression of dissatisfaction with democracy shows the success of the democratic project. It transforms people from the status of a subject into that of a citizen.
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 the Democratic setup.
(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 interests also.
Question. Describe the importance of Democratic government as an accountable and legitimate government.
Answer : The importance of Democratic government as an accountable and legitimate government can be understood from the following points:
(i) Democracy produces an accountable government. Accountable government is the one, whose every action is justified. We often find in democratic government that the rulers are elected by the people. A government comes in power due to the majority of the public have voted for it. The government is apprehensive that the same public may not vote it to power next time if it does not fulfil their expectations. These elected representatives constitute the government and participate in the decision-making process on behalf of the people. Also the people (citizens) have the right and means for examining the process. This is known as transparency and is very essential for proper governance in the country.
(ii) Democracy produces responsible government. A democracy carries with it certain important liberal ideals of governance. They include, regular free and fair elections, public debate on major policies and legislations, the openness of information regarding major government policies and legislation and corruption free government. All these factors contribute towards making democratic government a responsive form of government. For example, after a prolonged period of mass protest and negotiation, the UPA government had to finally agree to people’s demands and introduce the Lokpal Bill in the Parliament.
(iii) Democracy produces a legitimate government. Legitimate government is a government under which law and action of the government are revealed to the people and government functions in a transparent manner.
(iv) In a Democracy, all the laws are applicable to all the citizens whether rich or poor.
(v) In a Democracy, there is a political equality, i.e. every vote count has an equal weightage.
Question. “Respect and equal treatment of Women are necessary ingredients of a Democratic Society”. Examine the statement.
Answer : Respect and equal treatment of women are necessary ingredients of a Democratic Society.
(i) Economic independence or access to an inherited or self-generated income is considered to be the major means of empowering Women.
(ii) Equal political and civil rights as men.
(iii) Ways of autonomy and freedom.
(vi) Distributive justice to reduce inequalities in resources and power.
(v) Love, universal brotherhood, sincerity, honesty and integrity of character, firm attitude of rendering help.
(vi) Removing social evils including violence, torture, humiliation, etc.
Case Based Questions
I. Read the given extract and answer the questions that follow:
If Democracies are expected to produce good governments, then is it not fair to expect that they would also produce development? Evidence shows that in practice many democracies did not fulfil this expectation.
If you consider all democracies and all dictatorships for the fifty years between 1950 and 2000, dictatorships have slightly higher rate of economic growth. The inability of democracy to achieve higher economic development worries us. But this alone cannot be the reason to reject democracy. As you have already studied in economics, economic development depends on several factors: country’s population size, global situation, cooperation from other countries, economic priorities adopted by the country, etc. However, the difference in the rates of economic development between less developed countries with dictatorships and democracies is negligible. Overall, we cannot say that democracy is a guarantee of economic development. But we can expect democracy not to lag behind dictatorship in this respect. When we find such 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.
Answer the following MCQs by choosing the most appropriate options:
1. Between Democracies and Dictatorships, who had a slightly higher rate of economic growth?
(a) Democracies
(b) Dictatorships
(c) Both
(d) None of them
Answer : Option (b) is correct.
2. The difference in the rates of economic development between less development countries with Dictatorships and Democracies is:
(a) Very vast
(b) Slightly noticeable
(c) Very low
(d) Negligible
Answer : Option (d) is correct.
3. What is meant by Economic Inequality?
(a) It is a situation of equal distribution of wealth.
(b) It is the unequal distribution of income and opportunity between different groups in society.
(c) It is the distribution of wealth on the basis of gender.
(d) It is the distribution of wealth on the basis of education.
Answer : Option (b) is correct.
4. Which Development depends on country’s population, size, global situation and cooperation from other countries?
(a) Social Development
(b) Financial Development
(c) Economic Development
(d) Political Development
Answer : Option (c) is correct.
