Outcomes of Democracy

Outcome of Democracy
1. How does democracy produce an accountable, responsive and legitimate

government?
The Democracy produces an accountable government because it provides regular,
free and fair elections regularly. Open discussions are held on all major issues and
legislations. Democracy gives its citizens the right to information about the
government and its functioning.
Democracy provides a responsive government as it is formed by elected
representatives of the people. These representatives discuss the problems of the
society and make policies and programmes accordingly. The representatives also
ensure that the programmes are implemented.
Democracies follow a constitution, so they are legitimate. The laws of the country
are applicable to everyone. Free and fair elections are held in democracies and the
people have the power to eliminate parties they are not happy with, in the next
election. A democratic government is a legitimate government, as it is elected by
citizens and enjoys the confidence and trust of the citizens.
2. What are the conditions under which democracies accommodate social
diversities?
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.
3. Give arguments to support or oppose the following assertions:
a. Industrialised countries can afford democracy but the poor need dictatorship
to become rich.
There is no relationship between democracy and the wealth of the nation. The
economic development of the nation is dependent upon the resources, the
policies and the openness of the government to attract investment. If the
dictatorship could have brought wealth in the nation, countries like Nigeria
would be having all rich people, which is not the case in reality.
b. Democracy can’t reduce inequality of incomes between different citizens.
Yes, democracy cannot reduce income inequality as there are sectional

communities which have different professions. Income equality is not a value
of democracy as democracy brings social and political equality. People have
the right to vote and can access fundamental rights, but income is self-
generated, and that depends on their ability to work.
c. The government in poor countries should spend less on poverty reduction,

health, education and spend more on industries and infrastructure.
The statement is untrue. For any country to be developed, the focus should be
on human resources. The country is made up of its people, and if the citizens
are uneducated, ill and under-sufficient, the country cannot grow. The human
development report in itself judges the development of the country by the
education and health of the citizen along with the income. Hence, it is
important for a country to invest in health and education infrastructure.
d. In a democracy, all citizens have one vote, which means that there is an
absence of any domination and conflict.
The statement is partly true. Yes, democracy offers one vote to each of its
citizens. However, it is not a fool-proof system that does not invite any
conflicts. Take the example of India, which has a diverse diaspora. The social
divisions in the society are reflected in the form of riots, protests and strikes.
Hence, no democracy can eliminate social divisions.
4. Identify the challenges to democracy in the following descriptions. Also,
suggest policy/institutional mechanism to deepen democracy in the given
situations:
a) 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.
The biggest challenge to democracy, in this case, is if such practices continue in the
country, there is a threat that discrimination based on caste, colour and creed cannot
be eliminated. If people indulge in such practices, legal action can be taken against
them. The Constitution clearly states that discrimination of any kind will be
considered a crime and a big threat to the peace of the country. In such cases,
serious actions must be taken against the people so that the communal harmony of
the country does not gets disturbed.
b) A large number of farmers are committing suicide in different states of
India.
A large number of farmers are committing suicides in different states of India
because of the economic inequality in the country. Farmers in villages grow crops
on a small piece of land, and if the weather conditions do not stay stable, the farmer
has to suffer serious loss. He is further unable to repay the loan taken from the
moneylender or the bank and gets overburdened by the loan. These cases have
increased in the country over the past few years, and the poor farmers take such
severe steps like committing suicide. The government should provide these farmers
with cheap fertilizers and seeds and provide them with better irrigation methods.
c) Following allegation of killing of three civilians in Gandwara in a fake
encounter by Jammu and Kashmir police, an enquiry has been ordered.
Allegations of killing three civilians in Gandwara by the Jammu and Kashmir
police in a fake encounter raises questions on the police force of the state. The
challenge here is to control the power of the police and other authoritative officials.
5. 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
Answer.
D. the idea of political inequality
6. In the context of assessing democracy which among the following is odd one
out? Democracies need to ensure:
A. free and fair elections

B. the dignity of the individual
C. majority rule
D. equal treatment before the law
Answer.
C. Majority rule
7. 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 a dictatorship.
D. dictatorship is better than democracy.
Answer.
B. inequalities exist in democracies.

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Outcome of Democracy

1. How does democracy produce an accountable, responsive and legitimate

b. Democracy can’t reduce inequality of incomes between different citizens.

Yes, democracy cannot reduce income inequality as there are sectional

c. The government in poor countries should spend less on poverty reduction,

A. free and fair elections

A. democracy and development go together.

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