4.
Outcomes of Democracy
1. Democracy is seen to be good in principle but felt to be not so good
in its practice. Justify the statement.
• Over a hundred countries today have democratic governments. At the
same time, what may be achieved or not achieved under each of these
democracies will be different.
• We have interest in democracy and fascination for it. So, we take a
position that democracy can address all socio-economic and political
problems.
• If some of our expectations are not met, we start blaming the idea of
democracy, or, 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 only create conditions for achieving something.
• The citizens have to take advantage of those conditions and achieve
those goals.
2. Describe the political outcomes of democracy.
Or
Democracy produces an accountable responsive and legitimate
government. Discuss.
• 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.
• Democracy is based on the idea of deliberation and negotiation.
Democratic governments 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.
• In democracy a citizen has the right and the means to examine the
process of decision making. This is known as transparency.
Example, The Right to Information Act (2005)
• Democracies have had greater success in setting up regular and free
elections and in setting up conditions for open public debate.
• In substantive terms, it may be reasonable to expect from democracy a
government that is attentive to the needs and demands of the people
and is largely free of corruption. But in reality, democracies often fail
to address the needs of the people, and are not free from corruption.
At the same time, non-democratic governments are not better than
democracies in these regards.
Democratic government is legitimate government. It is people’s own
government. People wish to be ruled by representatives elected by
them. This legitimacy comes from the consent of the people. This
makes democratic governments more acceptable and justifiable.
2.What is ‘transparency' in democracy?
• Democracy ensures that decision making will be based on norms and
procedure
• So, a citizen who wants to know if a decision was taken through the
correct procedures can find this out.
• He has the right and the means to examine the process of decision
making.
• The Right to Information Act, 2005 (RTI Act) is a law that gives citizens
the ability to access information about government programmes,
functions, and processes.
• This is known as transparency.
3. ‘Democratic government is legitimate government'. Comment.
A democratic government is people’s own government.
A democratic government is considered legitimate because it's elected
by the people, for the people. Here are some reasons why:
✓ Representative: Elected representatives reflect the will and
interests of the citizens.
✓ Accountable: Leaders are responsible to the people and can be
voted out if they don't perform.
✓ Participatory: Citizens have a say in decision-making through
voting, protests, and public debates.
✓ Rule of Law: Everyone, including leaders, is subject to the law,
ensuring fairness and justice.
✓ Protection of Rights: Democracies protect individual rights and
freedoms, like freedom of speech and expression.
This legitimacy comes from the consent of the people. This makes
democratic governments more acceptable and justifiable. Democracy’s
ability to generate its own support is itself an outcome that cannot be
ignored
4.Democracy is based on the idea of deliberation and negotiation. So,
some delay is bound to take place. Does that make democratic government
inefficient? Explain.
Or
The cost of time that democracy pays is perhaps worth it. Comment.
• Democratic government is accountable to the citizens, and responsive
to the needs and expectations of the citizens.
• Democracy is based on the idea of deliberation and negotiation. So,
some delay is bound to take place.
• Non-democratic governments may take decisions very fast. But such
decisions are not accepted by the people, and therefore face problems.
• In contrast, democratic governments will take more time to follow
procedures before arriving at a decision.
• But because it has followed procedures, its decisions may be both
acceptable to the people and more effective.
• So, the cost of time that democracy pays is perhaps worth it.
5. Discuss the economic outcome of democracy.
Or
If democracies are expected to produce good government, then it is fair to
expect that they would also produce development. Analyse the statement.
• If we consider all democracies and dictatorships for the 50 years
between1950 and 2000, dictatorships have slightly higher rate of
economic growth.
• But this alone cannot be a reason to reject democracy. Economic
development depends on several factors –
▪ country's population size,
▪ global situation,
▪ cooperation from other countries, and
▪ economic priorities adopted by the country etc.
• However, when we compare their record only in poor countries, the
difference 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.
6. Do democracies lead to a just distribution of goods and opportunities?
Explain.
Or
Democracy has failed to reduce economic inequality and poverty. Do you
agree? Give arguments in support of your answer.
• Democracies are based on political equality. Parallel to this, we find
growing economic inequalities.
• A small number of ultra-rich enjoy a highly disproportionate share of
wealth and incomes. Those at the bottom find it difficult to meet their
basic needs of life.
• In actual life, democracies don’t seem to be very successful in reducing
economic inequalities.
• The poor constitute a large proportion of our voters, and no party will
like to lose their votes.
• Yet the democratically elected governments do not appear to be as
keen to address the question of poverty as we would expect them to.
• The situation is much worse in some countries.
Eg –Bangladesh.
7. What do you mean by political equality?
• In a democracy all individuals have equal weight in electing
representative.
• Universal adult suffrage has been recognised in democracy
• Everyone has one vote and every vote has the equal value.
• Thus, democracy has brought individuals into the political arena on
an equal footing:
✓ Everyone has the right to vote,
✓ Right to contest election, and
✓ Right to hold political office.
• This is known as political equality.
8. Describe the social outcome of democracy.
Or
Democracy provides a method to resolve conflicts. Justify the statement.
Or
Does democracy lead to peaceful and harmonious life among citizens?
Explain.
Or
How does democracy accommodate social diversity? Explain.
• Democracy usually develops a procedure to conduct competition
among different ethnic groups. This reduces the possibility of tensions
becoming explosive or violent.
• Democracy accepts and respects differences and evolves mechanisms
to negotiate the differences.
• Ability to handle social differences divisions and conflicts is a plus
point of democratic regimes. Democracy must fulfil two conditions
in order to achieve this outcome.
[1] Democracy is not simply rule by majority opinion. The
majority always needs to work with the minority so that
governments represent the general view. Majority and minority
opinions are not permanent
[2] 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. Democracy remains democracy only as long
as every citizen has a chance of being in majority at some point
of time. If someone is denied a chance to be in the majority just
because of their birth, democracy is not fair to them. It means
they are excluded from power and decision-making, which goes
against democratic principles.
9. Why is democracy considered much superior to any other form of
government in promoting dignity and freedom of the individuals?
Explain with examples.
• 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.
Example: -
[1] Dignity of Women.
o Most societies across the world were historically male-
dominated societies. Women's long struggles have made
people realise that respect to and equal treatment of women
are essential in a democratic society.
o This doesn't mean that women are actually always treated
with respect. But once the principle is recognized, it becomes
easier for women to wage struggle against injustice.
[2] Caste Inequalities
• Democracy in India has strengthened the claims of the
disadvantaged and discriminated castes for equal status
and equal opportunity. Still there are instances of caste-
based inequalities and the atrocities, but these lack moral
and legal foundations. It is this recognition that makes
ordinary citizens value their democratic rights
10.‘Complaints are treated as testimony to the success of democracy’.
Justify the statement.
Or
How does the dissatisfaction of people show the success of democracy?
Explain.
• What is most distinctive about democracy is that it’s examination
never gets over.
• 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 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 the power holders and the
high and the mighty.
• Public expression of dissatisfaction with democracy shows the success
of the democratic project: it transforms people from the status of
subjects in to that of citizens.
