hy democray isbette form

2 o f u democsacies im oUTTeet
of ovt
Coudryave dite
Arm eac othe
How do we assess democracy's outcomes?
Do you remember how students in in principle, but felt to be not so
good in
Madam Lyngdoh's class argued about its This dilemma invites
practice. us to
democracy? This was in Chapter 2 of think hard about the outcomes of
Class IX textbook. It
emerged from that democracy. Do we prefer democracy
conversation that democracy is a better only for moral reasons? Or are there
form of government when

Did we reach
A compared
with dictatorshin or any other alternative.
We felt
some prudential
democracy too?
reasons to
support

that democracy wzs better Over a hundred countries of the

these because it
conclusions in world today claim and practice some
Promotes equality among
Madam Lyngdoh's citizens. kind of democratic politics: they have
Enhances the dignity of the
class? I loved formal constitutions, they hold elections,
that class
individual they have parties and they guarantee rnights
Improves the quality of decision-
because of
[Link] these features are

students were making, common to most of them, these

not being Provides a method to resolve
democracies are very much different
dictated any conflicts; and from each other in terms of their social
conclusions. Allows room to correct
mistakes. situations, their economic achievements
Are these
expectaions realised under and their
culturaClearly,
what may be
democracies? When we talk to people achieved or nõt achieved under each of
around us, most of them these democracies will be
support very different
democracy against other alternatives, But is there
such as rule by a monarch or
something thatwe can expect
military or from every democracy, just because it is
religious leaders. But not so many of
them would be satisfied with the democm
Our
A2 VeL
interest in and fascination for
democracy in pracice. So we face a
dilemma: democracy is seen to be
democracy often pushes us into taking a
good position that democracy can address all
socio-economic and political problems
If some of our
MoREDA expectations are not met,
0DENT
we
blaming the idea of democracy.
start

Or, start doubtingif we are

we
DEMANS
living in
democracy. The first step towards
H E 5 5 E

/1ss thinking carefully about the outcomes

TATE TEST
of
democracy is to recognise that
ECES democracy is just a formof government
It can only create
conditions for achieving
something. The citizens have to take
advantage of those conditions and
achieve those goals Letus examine some
ERGCRELr of the things we can reasonably expect
from democracy and examine the
record
Is democracy all about coping with multiple pressures and of democracy.
accommodating diverse demands?
 plain houðdemocoay Psoduce Hesponsiye govl
plam Hou) dernocsacy îs aco wtable foem ot
go
countable, responsive
AcC and leqitimate qovernment
- AtOUN TABLE 3
re are some things that emocracy
There Governmental Secrecy
rovide. In a democ
ocracy, we are
nust
with ensuring that (Mkekogenerewape aero7
enoons tom

concern
ost

Ople will have the right to choose their

peop

and people will have control over WAAT

lers YOU
the rulershRevr
possible and WLAT KNOW
ecessary,itiz should be able to KNOWS APOU
APOUT
UAUMNAWA
naricipatein decision making, that affects YOU
hem allTherefore, the most basic W

should be that
gutcome of democracy
a government that is
it produces
ccountable to the citizens, and
AcCe
PORVE
Esponsive to the needs and expectations
ofthecitizens 3 next Poîn
Before we go into this question, we A:S Legiti mate Can you think of what
Now look at the other side-
face another c o m m o n question: Is the and how the
democraticgovernment efficient? Is it democracy ensures that decision making government knowvs

witbe based on norms and procedures. about you and your

effective? Some people think that
family (for example
democracy produces less
effective So, a citizen who wants to know if a ration cards and
that decision was taken [Link] correct voter identity cards)?
government. It is, of course,
true
What are the sources
can find thisout he has
the
non-democratic rulers do not have to procedures of information for you

bother about deliberation in assemblies or right and the means

töexamine the about the

and public opinion. process of decisign [Link] 9goyernment? 2.

wory about majorities actbrPOint£g.
transparencyhIs
So, they can be very quick and
efficient in knownas
often missing from a non-democratic
decision making and implementation. when we are Hrans Paenc
the idea of government. Therefore,
Democracy is ba_ed on
the u t c o m e s of
Q.S Democvafrc
o
dellberation and negotiation. So, some delay trying to find out
is right to expect
make democracy,, it
1s bound to take place. Does that
mocratiGgovernmnent inefficient
democracy to produce government
a

and is
Govt. is Legitimare
that follows procedures
. h 6f costs.
nagine government that may
a
take
accountable to

expect that
the people. We
the democratic government
can also
qovt. Explain
take mechanisms for citizens to hold
decisions very fast. But it may develops
decisions that are not accepted by the the government
accountable and

people andmay therefore face problems. mechanisms for citizens to take part in
n contrastthe democratic government decision making
whenever they think fit.
time to folloW
WIll take more to m e a s u r e
If you wanted
procedures before arriving at a decision. democracies on the
basis of this A3
But because it has followed procedures,
would
expected outeome,youand lookforAccotoble
may be both
more institutions:
ts decisions
the people and more
the following practices
and fair elections; open
Cceptable to
regular, free
crtective.$o, the cost of time that on major policies and
public debate
lemocracy pays is perhaps worth it. and necc1 91
PoSSible
H-4T his wheneve decísion making.A4 ove
Can
.an Paxticipate in
 A3 Ove
legislations; and citizens right to population. The routine tales of
the test corruption are enough to convince us that
intormation about the government and
ome of AROVe)
its functioning. The actual pertormance democracy is not free of this evill At the
ocracy is
tis a of democraties shows a mixed record same time, there is nothing to show that
pn this. Democracies have had greater non-democracies are lesS
corrupt or
ocracy! That more sensitive to the people.
nat we have Ruccess in setting up regular and free
vered ater elections and in settingupconditions for S There is oné respect in which
s mental open public debate. But most democratic government is certainly
nastics? democracies fall short of elections that better than its alternatives:democratic
provide a fair chance to everyone and in government is legitimate government,
subjecting every decision to public debate, It may be slow, less efticient, not always
Democratic governments do not have a very responsive or clean. But a
very good record when it comes to
democratic government is people's own
sharing information with citizensAll one government. That is why there is an
can
say in favour of democratic regimes overwhelming support for the idea of
is that they are much better than any democracy all over the world As the
non-democratic regime in these respects. accompanying evidence from South
In substantive terms it may be Asia shows, the support exists in
reasonable to expect from democracy a countries with democratic regimes as
govemment that is attentive to the needs well as countries without democratic
and demands of the people and is largely
regimes People wish to be ruled by
free ofcorruption. The record of representatives elècted by them. They
democracies is not impressive on these also believe that democracy is suitable
two counts. Democracies often frustrate for their country. Democracy's ability
the needs of the people and often
ignore to generate its own support is itself an
the demands of a majority of its outcome that cannot be ignored

A.s ove
Democracy is preferred Very few doubt the suitabilfyofdomarran
Omole
Economic growth and development De mordic &
o n Democxati
If democracies are expected to produce cooperation from other countries,
good governments, then is it not fair to economic priorities adopted by the ovt
expect that they would also produce country, et However|the difference in
development? Evidence shows that in the rates of economicdevelopment
practice many democracies did not fulfil between less developed countries with
this expectation. dictatorships and democracies is
If you considenalldemocracies and [Link], we cannot say that
all dictatorships for the fifty years betweendemoçracy is a guarantee of
economic

development. But we can expect

1950 and 2000, dictatorships have slightly
democracy not. to lag behind
higher rate of economic growth. The
inability of democracy to achieve higher dictatorships in this respect.
Cartoon on this page
economic development worries us) But When w e find such significant and next three pages tell
this alone cannot be reason to'reject difference in the rates of economic us about the disparities
between countries under between the rich and
democracy. As you have already studied growth Should the gains
Should gains
democracyit is better poor.
poor.
in economics,economic development dictatorship and economic growth be
of economic growin
or
prefer democracy as it has
several evenly distributed? How
to
depends on several factors: country's
the poor get a voice
population size, global
situation, otherpositive
outcomes.
A.6 Ovean
for a better share in a
nation? What carthe
poor countries do
to
receive a greater share
Tha Rich Get Buff in the werdd's wealth?
 Ase democoacies Suct essful in edu eing
economic inequali ies? Justify touw ans
Reduction of inequality and poverty
Reduct

Perhaps more
than development, it is Aps:
Democracies are based on political
asonable to expect democracies to
r e a s
equality.l individuals have cqual weight
educe economic disparities. Even when in electing epresentativczParallel to the
acOuntry achieves economic growth, will1 process of bringing individuals into the
realth be distributed in such a way that political arena on an cqual footing.
ll citizens of the country will have a find growing economicinequalitiesA
share and lead a better life? Is economic small number of ultra-rich. enjoy a highly
Democracy is a
growth in democracies accompanied by disproportionate share of wealth and rule of the
increased inequalities among the people? incomes. Not only that their share in the
majority. The
Or do democracies lead to a just total income of the country has been
poor are in
distribution of goods and opportunities? increasing. Those at the bottom ofthe majority. So
society have very little to depend upon. democracy must
Voice ofthe Poor Their incomes have been declining be a rule of the
Sometimes they find it difficult to meet poor. How can
their basic needs of life, such as food, this not be the
clothing, house, education and health case?
not
In actual lite,democracies do
appear to be very successful in
reducing
Class IX
economic inequalities.n
Economics textbook, you have already
studied about poverty in India. The
proportion
poor constitute large
a

will
of o u r voters and no party
like to lose their votes. Yet
democratically elected

govern ments do
not

as keen to
appear to be
address the question of
poverty as you would
cxpect them t o h e
situation is muchwórse in
some other countries. In
Bangladesh, more than
halfofit_ population lives
in povertyPeople in
several poor cõuntries are

hoodependent on the rich

countries even for food
supplies. A+ ove
 .9To accomodatc Social divesities, olen.
mst tuAI Some basic Condilions. Explaunthe
World's Wealtb Ownedby aFerw 1S|C Corml1t tens,
coyahoy m

50%

WORLD'S
WEALTH

Accommodation of social diversity

T e x t : 2

D o [Link] and social differencesbility to handle social

harmonious life among citizens?|It will differences, divisions and conflicts is thus
b e a fair expectation that
democracy
should produce a harmonious social lif
a
definite plus point of democratic
regimes But the example of Sri Lanka
All you are saying
We have seen in the earlier
is that chapters how remine[ us that a democracy must fulfil
democracY democracies accommodatevarious social two
conditions in order to achieve this
ensures that elivisions Wesaw in the first chapter how Outcomhe:
people do not Belgium has successfully negotiated It is
A9
differences among ethnic populations. democracyrteeessary ùnderstand that
to
break each
is not simply rule
other's head. Democracies usuallydevelopaprocelure opinion. The by majority
This is not to conduct their
competition. This recluces majority always needs to
work with the
harmony. Should the possibility of
these tensions becoming minority so
that
we be happy explosive or violent governments function to represent the
about it? general view. Majority and minority
No society can fully and permanently opinions are not permanent.
Tesolve conflicts among different group
(But we can certainly learn to respect these
t
is also necessary that rule by
differences and majority does not become rule by
we can also evolve
mechanisms to negotiate the differences majority community in terms of religion
or
race or
linguistic group, etc. Rule by
Democracy is best suited to produce this majority means
Outcome. Non-democratic that in case of every
turn blind
a
regimes often decision or in case of every election,
eye to or
suppress intcfnal different persons and
groups may and
 rmanmajority. Democracy remains from
etnocracy only as long as every citizen being in majority on the basis of
has a chanceof being in majority at some birth, then the democratic rule
to be ceases
aint of time. It someone is
barred accommodative person for that
or groupA oven

s
Enemies

Greeting

The two images depict two ditferent kinds of

effects democratic politics can have on social
divisions. Take one example for each image
and write a paragraph each on the outcome
of democratic politics in both situations.

u [Link] maintaln dianity a freeolomoi

cidual
i etp|cn u'it e
Dignity and freedom of the citizens
Democracy stands much superior to any principl This has bcen achieved in
variousdégrees in various democracies.
other form of government in
For societies which have been built for
promoting dignity and freedom of the
individualEvery individual wants to long on the basis of subordination and
domination, it is not a simple matter to
receive respect from fellow beings.
Often conflicts arise among individuals recognize that all individuals are equal.

Decause some feel that they are not [Take the case of dignity of women.
treated with due respect. The passion for Most societies across the world were
respect and freedom are the basis of historically male dominated societies.

[Link] throughout the Long struggles by women have created

World haveTecognised this, at least in some sensitivity today that respect to and
 The tect d1Javo o('nany neve
ets oVe, Juot
alneatment ol Wonmen are ecesyiuy distinnctive about democracy is that is
am anxioUs ingrdienmsoladenoenaiesewietyhat 1 Sexamination never gets over. (As
out my board does not mean thaykomen are actually democracy passes one test, it produces
ams. But Another test. Aspeopleget some benefits
always treted with respec, But once the
mocracy has ofdemocracy, they ask lor more and
pruiple is wognised, it becomescasier
many exams.
tor women to wage a struggle against want to make democracy even better. \
d millions of
what is now unacceptable legally and That is why, when we ask people about
aminerst
morallyhnanon-deniocntic setup, this the way democracy functions, they will
marpalbility woudnot have legal basis alwayscome up withmore expectations,
N PPRC because the principle of individual and many complaints. The fact that
[Link] woulkd not havetlhe people are complaining is itself a
legal and monl force thete. The same is testimony to the sucess of democracy:
true of caste [Link] in it shows that people have developed
India has strengtlhenedthie claims of the
awareness and the ability to cxpect and
disadvantaged and discriminated castes to look critically at power holders and
tor equal status and
equal opportunity. thehigh and the mightyA public
There are instances stillof caste-based
expression of dissatisfaction with
inequalities and atrocities, but these lack democracy shows the success of the
the moral and legal
[Link]
it is the recognition that democraticproject: it transtorms people
makesordinary,
citizens value their democratic rights,
from the status ofa subject into that of
acitizer. Most individuals today believe
Expectations from democracy also that their vote makes a difference to the
function as the eriteria lor
judging any way the government is run andto their
democratic country, What is most
ownselfinterest. A |1 OVe

Rosa Parks Still Inspires

Bellef In the efficacy of vote ls

calculus of utlity placed above the
HEY,LAPY Thoso who say that thoir volo
THATS makes a diference..
MY South Asla
SEAT

an Bangladesh
Indla
66
67
Nepal 5
Paklatan
50
Srl Lanka
LEADERS TOD 65
0
Source: SDSA Team, Stato of
bove cartoon and graph lustrare a point made in this section Asla, Delhl: Oxlord Democracy in South
ty and freedom of the citizens). Underline the sentences Universlty Press, 2007.
from
ction which connect to the cartoon or graph.
 any four issues S(4/5 Marks each)
Expaocracy has failed.
Explain
on
[CBSE Marchwhich
2011 inequalities."
Or Support this statement
giving three arguments. by
nomocracy is seen fo be Ans. ()
t felt to be not so
good in principle Corruption : The
show us that mostrecord of democracies
good in practice. of the democratic
Justify the statement. [CBSE 2013 countries have failed to
remove or reduee
Or
(D)] corruption. India which is one of the
Democracies do not
democratic country of the world haslargest
also
appear to be very failed in this issue.
successful in reducing
economic (i) People's needs and
inequalities." Support this statement. demands:
democratic govemment should A
be attentive
Or to the needs and demands of the
Do democracies lead to but unfortunately, the record of
people,
of goods
a just distribution is not impressive on this democracy
and opportunities"? Justify your issue. Democracies
often frustrate the needs of the
answer by three suitable arguments. often ignore the demand of a peopleof its
and
Or majority
population.
In actual life, democracies do not (t#) Economic growth
to be very
0be appear
very uccessful in reducing economic
and development
Democracy is considered a better

EN
Self-Study tn Soclal Science-10. ob 85-P
 Overnmment than other forms
Overnmment. io one can expect better o
econonnie grovth and
development
untortunately democracy has even lailed o
t

this issUe, Iff o e conslders all democracies

and all dictatorship lor the lasl 50 yenrs,
dictatorship has slightly higher rnte of
economic growtlh.
( ) Reduction of lnequallty : As democracy is
the govermment of the people, one expects
democracies to reduce economicworld
disprilies.
Most of the denocracies of the have
failed on this issue.
(w) Reduction of poverty The record of
:
democracies on the reduction of poverty is
also not good. In most of the democracies,
a highly
a small number of ultra rich enjoy
income. Their
disproportionate wealth and
has
share in the total income of the country
have
been increasing. Those at the bottom
little to depend upon.
omic ineaualitu