Chapter 7 Outcomes of Democracy
Q1)How can you say that democracies are based on political equality?
Answer: Democracies are based on political equality as individuals have equal weight
in electing representatives.
Q2)What is ‘transparency’ in a democracy?
Answer: Democracy ensures that decision making will be based on norms and
procedure. Every citizen has the right and means to examine the process of decision
making. This is known as transparency.
Q3) What are the differences between democracy and dictatorship in the
decision making process?
Answer:
Democracy Dictatorship
(i) Do not have to
(i) Based on the idea of bother about
deliberation and majorities and/or
negotiation. Thus, the public opinion, thus
necessary delay in can be quick and
implementation. efficient in decision-
making.
(ii) Decisions are (ii) May take decisions
acceptable to people not accepted by the
and are more effective. people.
(iii) A citizen has the (iii) Transparency is
right and the means to missing from a non-
examine the process of democratic form of
decision-making. There government. There is
is transparency. no accountability of
the government to the
people.
Q4) How is democracy accountable and responsive to the needs and
expectations of the citizens? Analyse.
Answer: A democracy is concerned with ensuring that people have the right to
choose their rulers and have control over the rulers:
• Whenever possible and necessary, citizens should be able to participate in
decision-making in a democracy.
• Democracy ensures that decision-making is based on norms and
procedures. A citizen has the right and the means to examine the process
of decision-making. Thus democracy entails transparency.
• For a democracy to produce an accountable, responsive and legitimate
government, it must ensure the following:
• Regular, free and fair elections.
• Open public debate on major policies and legislations.
• Citizens’ right to be informed about government policies.
• A government free from corruption.
Q5)“Democracy accommodates social diversities.” Support the statement with
examples.
Answer: “Democracy accommodates social diversities” in the following ways:
A)Democracies develop a procedure to conduct their competition. This reduces the
possibility of these tensions becoming explosive or violent.
B)No society can fully and permanently resolve conflicts among different groups. But
we can certainly learn to respect these differences and can evolve mechanism to
negotiate these differences.
Example, Belgium has successfully negotiated differences among ethnic population.
This reduces the possibility of tensions.
C)Ability to handle social differences, divisions and conflicts is thus a definite plus
point of democratic regimes.
Q6)Analyse any three values that make democracy better.
Answer: -We feel that democracy is a better form of government than any other form of
government because:
A)Democracy promotes equality among citizens.
B)It enhances dignity of individual. It promotes dignity of women and strengthens the
claims of the disadvantaged.
C)It improves the quality of decision making. There is transparency in a democracy.
D)It provides methods to resolve conflicts.
E)Democracy allows room to correct mistakes
Q7) Why do we feel that democracy is a better form of government than any
other form? Explain.
Answer: Democracy is a better form of government than any other form
because:
1. It is based on the idea of deliberation and negotiation. Thus the
necessary delay in implementation.
2. Decisions are acceptable to people and are more effective.
3. A citizen has the right and the means to examine the process of
decision-making. There is transparency in a democracy.
4. Democratic government is a legitimate government, people’s own
government.
5. Ability to handle differences, decisions and conflicts is a positive point
of democratic regimes.
6. Democracy has strengthened the claims of the disadvantaged and
discriminated castes for equal status and equal opportunity.
Q8)“Most destructive feature of democracy is that its examination never gets
over.” Support the statement with appropriate argument.
Answer: -1)As people get some benefits of democracy, they ask for more.
2)People always come up with more expectations from the democratic set up.
3)They also have complaints against democracy.
4)More and more suggestions and complaints by the people is also a testimony
to the success of democracy.
5)A public expression of dissatisfaction with democracy shows the success of
the democratic project.
Q9) How does democracy? Producing accountable, responsive and
legitimate government.
Answer:
(a) (i) In a democracy, free and fair elections are held regularly.
(ii) open public debates are held on major issues and legislation are
made.
(iii) people have the right to information about the government and
its functioning. Thus Democracy produces an accountable
government.
(b) A Democratic government is formed by the elected
representatives of the people, such as government, tries its best to
solve the problem of the public. So policies and programs are made
accordingly.
(c) Democracy is legitimate government because it is the
government of the people, by the people and for the people. The
citizens form and run the government through the representatives.
Q10)What are the conditions under which democracies accommodate social
diversities?
Answer :-Social diversities can be accommodated by focusing on all the communities
of the society. The majority and minority communities should be given equal
attention. Democracy is not the rule of the majority. In democratic countries, both the
majority and minority work together to achieve progress and development of the
nation. It is equally important to understand that the rule of the majority is not
expressed in terms of religion or languages. Any person or group may become a
majority in a democracy.
