D.A.V PUBLIC SCHOOL, THANE.
STD. X (NOTES)
POLITICAL SCIENCE: OUTCOME OF DEMOCRACY
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HOW DO WE ASSESS DEMOCRACY’S OUTCOMES?
Is democracy a better form of government when compared with dictatorship or any other alternative?
Democracy is better because it promotes equality among citizens.
Democracy is better because it enhances the dignity of the individual
Democracy is better because it improves the quality of decision making
Democracy is better because it provides a method to resolve conflicts
Democracy is better because it allows room to correct mistakes.
People around the world support democracy against other alternatives, such as rule by a monarch
or military or religious leaders. But not so many of them would be satisfies with democracy in
practice. Democracy is seen to be good in principle, but felt to be not so good in its practice
Over hundreds countries of the world today claim and practice some kind of democratic politics
they have formal constitution, they hold elections, they have parties and they guarantee rights of
citizens.
Democracy often pushes us into taking a position that democracy can address all socio-economic
and political problems. If some of our expectations are not met, we start doubting if we are living
in a democracy.
The first step towards thinking carefully about the outcomes of democracy is to recognize that
democracy is just a form of government. It can create conditions in which the citizens have to take
advantage of those conditions and achieve those goals.
Is the democratic government efficient? Is it effective?
Other form of government may take decisions very fast. But it may take decisions which are not
accepted by the people and may therefore face problems.
Democracy is based on the idea of deliberation and negotiation. So, some delay is bound to take
place.
In contrast, the democratic government will take more time to follow procedures before arriving at
a decision.
But because it has followed procedures, its decisions may be both more acceptable to the people
and more effective.
DEMOCRACY IS ACCOUNTABLE, RESPONSIVE AND LEGITIMATE GOVERNMENT
Democracy ensures that decision making will be based on norms and procedures. So, a citizen has the right and
the means to examine the process of decision making. This is known as transparency. Democracy follows
procedures and is accountable to the people.
Democratic governments have a very good record when it comes to sharing information with citizens and much
better than any non-democratic regime in this respect. Democracy is attentive to the needs and demands of
the people and is largely free of corruption.
There is one respect in which democratic government is certainly better than its alternatives: democratic
government is legitimate government. It may be slow, less efficient, not always very responsive or clean. But
a democratic government is people’s own government.
ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
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 dictatorships in economic development.
REDUCTION ECONOMIC INEQUALITY AND POVERTY
Democracies have growing economic inequalities. A small number of ultra-rich enjoy a lion share of
wealth and those at the bottom of the society have very little to depend upon and find very difficult to meet
their basic needs of life, such as food, clothing, house, education and health.
Democratically elected governments address the question of poverty by making various welfare
schemes to remove poverty.
Democracies not only making welfare schemes but also give reservations for socially and economically
backward people in jobs, election and educational institutions.
ACCOMMODATES OF SOCIAL DIVERSITY
Democracies usually develop a procedure to accommodate various social groups. This reduces the possibility
of social tensions becoming explosive or violent.
No society can fully and permanently resolve conflicts among different groups. But democracy is best to
handle social differences, divisions and conflicts.
But the example of Sri Lanka reminds us that a democracy must fulfill two conditions in order to achieve
accommodation of social divisions,
It is necessary to understand that democracy is not simply rule by majority opinion. The majority always
needs to work with the minority so that governments function to represent the general view.
It is also necessary that rule by majority does not become rule by majority community in terms of religion or
race or linguistic group, etc. Rule by majority means rule by majority’s choice.
DIGNITY AND FREEDOM OF THE CITIZENS
Democracy stands much superior to any other form of government in promoting dignity and freedom of the
individual by providing Fundamental Rights. Every individual wants to receive respect from fellow beings.
The passion for respect and freedom are the basis of democracy. Democracies throughout the world have
recognised this, at least in principle. This has been achieved in various degrees in various democracies.
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.
Democracy in India has strengthened the claims of the disadvantaged and discriminated castes for equal
status and equal opportunity.
Expectation from democracy never gets over.
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.
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 and the high and
the mighty.
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