CBSE - Outcomes of Democracy

→ Democracy produces an accountable government: Democracy produces an accountable governments, as the people has the right in choose their representatives through the electoral process. These elected representatives form the government and participate in the decision-making process on behalf of the people. If these elected representatives not work properly, people have a chance to not elect them in next election.
→ Democracy Produces Responsive Government: Democratic governments are elected by the people and are responsible towards the people and Parliament. These governments promote the formation of public opinion and take care of the needs and expectations of the people.
→ Democracy Produces Legitimate Government: A democratic government is people’s own government. People wish to be ruled by representatives elected by them. They also believe that democracy is suitable for their country. Democracy’s ability to generate its own support is itself an outcome that cannot be ignored.

Democracies accommodate social diversities when it is well understood that democracy is not just the rule of the majority, and that the rule of the majority is not just the rule of a single religious or social community.

This statement is incorrect as can be seen from the examples of India and Zimbabwe. In 1947, India was included in the Third World nations, but now, it is one of the fast-growing economies in the world. On the other hand, Zimbabwe, which was a fairly prosperous nation, has run into huge international debt with the progression of Robert Mugabe's regime.

Democracy can't reduce inequality of incomes between different citizens. This statement is incorrect. The Minimum Wages Act enacted by the government and other policies which regulate the basic price at which agricultural producers and small industries sell their goods, have helped increase the per capita income of the country, thereby making its citizens more prosperous.

Government in poor countries should spend less on poverty reduction, health, education and spend more on industries and infrastructure. This is not a wise option as in poor countries, the people cannot afford health and education services.

In democracy all citizens have one vote, which means that there is absence of any domination and conflict. This is not true as conflict can be eliminated only in an ideal situation. In real democracies, though every person has one vote, there are divisions among the people. These divisions lead to conflict.

Identify the challenges to democracy in the following descriptions. Also suggest policy/institutional mechanism to deepen democracy in the given situations:
• Following a High Court directive a temple in Orissa that had separate entry doors for dalits and non-dalits allowed entry for all from the same door.
• A large number of farmers are committing suicide in different states of India.
• Following allegation of killing of three civilians in Gandwara in a fake encounter by Jammu and Kashmir police, an enquiry has been ordered.
Ans

• The challenge to democracy in the first statement is to provide equal status to all its citizens in spite of their caste.
• The challenge to democracy in the second instance is providing farmers with subsidies which will help them to earn profits and have a satisfactory level of livelihood.
• The challenge to democracy is to preserve the people's trust in government arms like the police.

In the context of democracies, which of the following ideas is correct - democracies have successfully eliminated:
A. conflicts among people
B. economic inequalities among people
C. differences of opinion about how marginalised sections are to be treated
D. the idea of political inequality

Ans

D. the idea of political inequality

In the context of assessing democracy which among the following is odd one out. Democracies need to ensure:
A. free and fair elections
B. dignity of the individual
C. majority rule
D. equal treatment before law

Ans

C. majority rule

Studies on political and social inequalities in democracy show that
A. democracy and development go together
B. inequalities exist in democracies
C. inequalities do not exist under dictatorship
D. dictatorship is better than democracy

Ans

B. inequalities exist in democracies

Q.1:- Which of the following forms of government has support in genial
 (a) Democracy (b) Monarchy rule
 (c) Military rule (d) Rule of religious leaders
 
Q.2:- The most important outcome of democracy is
 (a) Accountable government (b) Responsive government
 (b) Both of them (d) None of them
 
Q.3:- Democracy is based on the idea of
 (a) Majority (b) Minority `
 (c) Deliberation and negotiation (d) None of these
 
Q.4:- In a democratic government, a citizen has the right and the means to examine the
 decisions taken by the govt. It is known as-
 (a) Transparency (b) Legitimacy
 (c) Democracy (d) Monarchy
 
Q.5:- “Democracy is a government of the people, by the people and for the people.”
 is said by-
 (a) Abraham Lincoln (b) Gittel
 (c) Mahatma Gandhi (d) Jawahar Lal Nehru 

 Answer Key of Multiple Choice Questions

1. (A) 2. (C) 3. (C) 4. (A) 5. (A)

1. Democracy is a form of govt. in which people rule themselves through the representatives who are elected by them
 2. The elected members from the govt. and make policies and run the administration of the country.
 3. The govt. elected by the people is also accountable to them.

1. The rulers elected by the people must take all the major decisions
2. Elections must offer a choice and fair opportunity to the people to change the existing rulers.
3. Choice and opportunity should be available to all the people on an equal basis
4. Besides political rights, some social and economical rights are offered to the citizens by the democracy.
5. Power sharing is the spirit of democracy and is necessary between government and social groups in a democracy.

1. Democratic government is a legitimate government
2. It may be slow, less efficient, not always very responsive or clean. But it is the people’s own govt.
3. There is overwhelming support for the idea of democracy all over the world ; in countries with
 democratic regimes as well as countries without democratic regimes. 

1. 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.
2. It is also necessary that rule by majority does not become rule by majority community. In terms of religion, or race or linguistics groups. Rule by majority  means that in case of every decision or in case of every election, different persons
 or groups may and can form a majority.
3. Democracy remains a democracy only as long as every citizen has a choice of  living in majority, at some point of time. 

1. Elected representatives
2. Elections
3. Civil liberties
4. Rules of law
5. Independent judiciary
6. Organized opposition parties
7. Freedom of religion of culture

Following features can be explained-
1. Monopoly of powers.
2. One party
3. Faith in force
4. Emphasis on duty and discipline
5. Belief in racial superiority

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-
1. It safeguards the interest of the people
2. Based on the principle of equality
3. Possibility in administration
4. Political education to the people
5. Little chance of revolution
6. Based on public opinion
7. Helps people to become good citizens
8. Accommodate all diversities and differences.