5: OUTCOMES OF DEMOCRACY
Introduction
Democracy is considered the
best form of government because it:
- Promotes equality among citizens
- Enhances dignity of individuals
- Improves quality of decision-making
- Provides methods to resolve conflicts
- Allows correction of mistakes
However, people often support
democracy in principle but are dissatisfied with its practice. Therefore, we
need to study the outcomes of democracy.
1. How Do We Assess Democracy’s Outcomes?
Meaning
Democracy is only a form of
government. It cannot solve every problem directly.
It only creates conditions
for achieving goals, while citizens must actively use these opportunities.
Expected Outcomes of Democracy:
- Accountable government
- Responsive government
- Legitimate government
- Economic growth and development
- Reduction of inequality and poverty
- Accommodation of social diversity
- Dignity and freedom of citizens
2. Accountable, Responsive and Legitimate
Government
(A) Accountable Government
Meaning:
A government that is
answerable to the people for its actions.
Features:
- Citizens choose rulers through elections.
- Citizens can question government decisions.
- Government follows rules and procedures.
- Transparency in functioning.
Mechanisms of Accountability:
- Regular elections
- Right to Information (RTI)
- Public debates
- Media scrutiny
- Judicial review
(B) Responsive Government
Meaning:
A government that responds to
the needs and expectations of citizens.
Examples:
- Welfare schemes
- Poverty alleviation programmes
- Educational policies
- Healthcare initiatives
Reality:
Democracies often fail to
fully satisfy citizens' demands due to:
- Corruption
- Delays
- Bureaucratic hurdles
(C) Legitimate Government
Meaning:
A government accepted by the
people as lawful and rightful.
Why is democratic government legitimate?
- Leaders are elected by people.
- Citizens participate in governance.
- People believe democracy suits their country.
Important Point:
Even if democracy is slow or
imperfect, people support it because it is their own government.
Why Democracy Appears Slow?
Democracy is based on:
- Deliberation
- Discussion
- Negotiation
- Consultation
Thus decision-making takes
time.
But this delay is beneficial because:
- Decisions become more acceptable.
- Policies become effective.
- Citizens participate in governance.
Conclusion:
The cost of time in democracy
is worth paying.
Transparency in Democracy
Meaning:
Citizens have the right to
know:
- How decisions are made
- Who made them
- Whether procedures were
followed
Importance:
Transparency prevents
corruption and misuse of power.
Example:
Right to Information (RTI)
Act.
Measures to Judge Democratic Government
A democracy should have:
- Regular elections
- Free and fair elections
- Open public debate
- Right to information
- Citizen participation
- Accountability mechanisms
Limitations of Democracy
Democracies often:
- Ignore demands of people
- Face corruption
- Delay decisions
- Fail to provide equal
opportunities
However, there is no evidence
that dictatorships perform better in these areas.
3. Economic Growth and Development
Does Democracy Ensure Economic Development?
Not necessarily.
Findings:
Between 1950–2000,
dictatorships had slightly higher growth rates.
|
Type of Regime |
Growth Rate |
|
Democracies |
3.95% |
|
Dictatorships |
4.42% |
|
Poor Democracies |
4.28% |
|
Poor Dictatorships |
4.34% |
Conclusion:
Difference is very small.
Economic Development Depends on:
- Population size
- Global situation
- Foreign cooperation
- Economic policies
- Natural resources
- Technology
Thus, democracy alone cannot
guarantee development.
Key Conclusion:
Democracy may not always
produce higher growth, but it has many other advantages:
- Freedom
- Equality
- Accountability
- Dignity
Therefore, democracy is
preferred.
4. Reduction of Inequality and Poverty
Expectation from Democracy
Since all citizens have equal
political rights, democracy should reduce:
- Poverty
- Economic inequality
- Social disparities
Reality
Democracies have not been
very successful in reducing inequalities.
Situation:
- Rich become richer.
- Poor remain poor.
- Wealth is concentrated
among a few people.
Economic Inequality
Features:
- A small group controls
most wealth.
- Poor struggle for basic
needs:
- Food
- Clothing
- Shelter
- Education
- Healthcare
Why Does Poverty Continue?
Though poor people form a
majority of voters:
- Governments often ignore
poverty.
- Policies favour powerful
groups.
- Economic growth benefits
only a few.
Important Statement:
Democracy gives political
equality but not always economic equality.
5. Accommodation of Social Diversity
Meaning
Democracy respects and
accommodates differences based on:
- Religion
- Language
- Caste
- Ethnicity
- Culture
Why is Democracy Suitable?
Democracy provides:
- Dialogue
- Negotiation
- Compromise
- Peaceful conflict resolution
Thus conflicts are less likely
to become violent.
Two Conditions for Successful Accommodation
Condition 1:
Majority must work with
minorities.
- Majority opinions change over time.
- Governments should represent all.
Condition 2:
Majority rule should not
become rule of majority community.
Example:
Religion or language should not determine power permanently.
Important Point
Democracy survives only when
every citizen has a chance to become part of the majority.
If someone is permanently
excluded due to birth, democracy fails.
6. Dignity and Freedom of Citizens
Democracy is superior because
it promotes:
- Respect
- Equality
- Freedom
- Human dignity
Dignity of Women
Historically societies were
male-dominated.
Democracy has helped by:
- Recognising equal rights
- Providing legal
protection
- Encouraging women's
participation
However, discrimination still
exists.
Dignity of Marginalised Castes
In India, democracy has:
- Strengthened rights of weaker sections
- Increased awareness
- Provided equal opportunities
Although caste discrimination
exists, it no longer has legal support.
Importance of Democratic Rights
People value democracy because
it:
- Protects rights
- Ensures equal status
- Allows participation
Democracy and Public Criticism
One unique feature of
democracy is that people can:
- Criticise government
- Demand reforms
- Raise complaints
Significance:
Complaints show democracy's
success because citizens are aware and active.
Importance of Voting
People believe that:
"Their vote makes a
difference."
Voting:
- Influences government
policies
- Protects self-interest
- Strengthens democracy
Overall Outcomes of Democracy
|
Positive Outcomes |
Weaknesses |
|
Accountability |
Corruption |
|
Legitimacy |
Delays |
|
Transparency |
Inequality |
|
Freedom |
Poverty persists |
|
Dignity |
Unequal development |
|
Conflict resolution |
Slow decisions |
Conclusion
Democracy may not always be
the most efficient or economically successful system, but it remains the best
form of government because it ensures:
- Accountability
- Legitimacy
- Freedom
- Equality
- Dignity
- Participation
- Peaceful conflict
resolution
Therefore, despite its
shortcomings, democracy is preferred over all other forms of government.
************
Exercise
Answers
Q1. How does democracy produce an accountable, responsive and legitimate
government?
Answer:
Democracy produces an
accountable, responsive and legitimate government in the following ways:
- Accountability: In a democracy, rulers
are elected by the people and are answerable to them. Citizens can
question the government and replace it through elections.
- Responsiveness: Democratic governments
work according to the needs and demands of the people because they depend
on public support.
- Transparency: Citizens have the right
to know how decisions are made through laws such as the Right to
Information (RTI).
- Legitimacy: Since the government is
elected by the people through free and fair elections, it enjoys the
support and acceptance of citizens.
Thus, democracy creates a
government that is accountable, responsive and legitimate.
Q2. What are the conditions under which democracies accommodate social diversities?
Answer:
Democracies accommodate social
diversities under the following conditions:
- Majority and minority
should work together: The majority must respect minority opinions and
represent the interests of all citizens.
- Majority rule should not
become majority community rule: Rule by majority should not be based on
religion, race, language or caste.
- Equal opportunity for
all: Every citizen should have a chance to become part
of the majority at some point of time.
These conditions help
democracy maintain peace and harmony in society.
Q3. Give arguments to support or oppose the following assertions.
(a) Industrialised countries can afford democracy but the poor need
dictatorship to become rich.
Answer:
Oppose
- There is no clear
evidence that dictatorship ensures economic development.
- Many poor democratic
countries have achieved progress.
- Democracy provides
freedom, equality and dignity which dictatorship lacks.
- Economic development
depends on many factors such as resources, policies and international
cooperation.
Therefore, poor countries also
need democracy.
(b) Democracy can’t reduce inequality of incomes between different
citizens.
Answer:
Partly Support
- Democracies have not been
very successful in reducing economic inequalities.
- Wealth is often
concentrated in the hands of a few rich people.
- However, democratic
governments implement welfare schemes and poverty alleviation programmes.
Hence, democracy has
limitations in reducing income inequalities but still provides opportunities
for improvement.
(c) Government in poor countries should spend less on poverty reduction,
health, education and spend more on industries and infrastructure.
Answer:
Oppose
- Health and education are
essential for human development.
- Poverty reduction
improves the standard of living of citizens.
- Development should
benefit all sections of society.
- Industries and
infrastructure alone cannot ensure overall development.
Therefore, governments should
balance spending on both social welfare and economic growth.
(d) In democracy all citizens have one vote, which means that there is
absence of any domination and conflict.
Answer:
Oppose
- Democracy ensures
political equality through one person, one vote.
- However, social and
economic inequalities still exist.
- Conflicts based on caste,
religion and language may continue.
- Democracy provides
peaceful methods to resolve these conflicts.
Hence, one vote does not
eliminate domination and conflict completely.
Q4. Identify the challenges to democracy and suggest policy/institutional
mechanisms.
(a) Temple in Orissa allowed entry to all from the same door.
Challenge:
Social inequality and caste
discrimination.
Mechanism:
- Strict enforcement of
equality laws.
- Awareness programmes
against discrimination.
- Protection of fundamental
rights.
(b) Large number of farmers are committing suicide.
Challenge:
Economic inequality and rural
distress.
Mechanism:
- Loan waivers and crop insurance.
- Better irrigation facilities.
- Minimum Support Price (MSP).
- Employment opportunities in rural areas.
(c) Enquiry ordered into fake encounter by Jammu and Kashmir police.
Challenge:
Misuse of power and violation
of human rights.
Mechanism:
- Independent judicial enquiry.
- Strengthening human rights institutions.
- Ensuring police accountability.
Q5. In the context of democracies, which of the following ideas is correct?
Answer:
✅ D. The idea of political
inequality has been eliminated.
Explanation: Democracy is based on
political equality where every citizen has one vote and equal political rights.
Q6. In the context of assessing democracy, which among the following is the
odd one out?
A. Free and fair elections
B. Dignity of the individual
C. Majority rule
D. Equal treatment before law
Answer:
✅ C. Majority rule
Explanation: Democracy is not simply
majority rule; it also protects minority rights.
Q7. 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.
Answer:
✅ B. Inequalities exist in
democracies.
Q8. Read the passage and answer the questions.
(a) What does Nannu’s example show?
Answer:
Nannu’s example shows that the
Right to Information (RTI) Act makes government officials accountable
and transparent in their work.
(b) What impact did Nannu’s action have on officials?
Answer:
- Officials processed his
application quickly.
- The Food Supply Officer
treated him respectfully.
- The officials became accountable
due to fear of public scrutiny.
This demonstrates the power of
citizens in a democracy.
************