Summary of the Chapter

The chapter "Outcomes of Democracy" examines how we can assess democracy's outcomes and whether democracy has been successful in producing the expected results. It begins by discussing how to evaluate democracies through different perspectives and criteria. The chapter compares democratic governments with non-democratic regimes on various parameters like economic growth, economic inequalities, and social diversity.

The chapter emphasizes that democracy's real success lies not just in economic development but in the quality of government, decision-making processes, and its ability to handle social differences and conflicts. It highlights how democracy ensures dignity and freedom of citizens, promotes equality, and enhances the dignity of women. The chapter concludes that democracy is a better form of government because it is accountable, responsive, and legitimate, and it allows for correction of mistakes.

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NCERT Textbook Questions and Answers

Exercises (Page 99)

Question 1: How does democracy produce an accountable, responsive and legitimate government?

Answer-
Democracy produces an accountable, responsive and legitimate government through:

Accountable Government:
1.Regular elections: People can choose their representatives and change them in next elections.
2.Answerability: Government is answerable to people and parliament for its actions.
3.Transparency: Citizens have the right to examine the decision-making process.

Responsive Government:
1.Public pressure: Democracy ensures that government responds to people's needs and demands.
2.Media and opposition: Free media and active opposition keep government responsive.
3.Civil society: Various organizations and movements make government more responsive.

Legitimate Government:
1.People's choice: Democratic government is people's own government.
2.Moral authority: It has moral and legal sanction from the people.
3.Acceptance: Even when people criticize it, they consider it legitimate.

Question 2: What are the conditions under which democracies accommodate social diversities?

Answer-
Democracies accommodate social diversities under these conditions:

1.Majority and minority cooperation: Majority always needs to work with minority to form government.

2.No permanent majority: Democracy is not just rule by majority opinion, but majority needs to work with minority.

3.Equal treatment: All citizens should be treated equally regardless of their background.

4.Protection of minority rights: Democracy ensures that minority views are respected.

5.Consensus building: Democracy develops a procedure to conduct competition which reduces social conflicts.

6.Rule of law: Everyone has to follow the same rules and laws.

Question 3: Give arguments to support or oppose the following assertions:

1. Industrialised countries can afford democracy but the poor need dictatorship to become rich.
2. Democracy can't reduce inequality of incomes between different citizens.
3. Government in poor countries should spend less on poverty reduction, health, education and spend more on industries and infrastructure.
4. In democracy, all citizens have one vote, which means that there is absence of any domination and conflict.

Answer-
1. Against the assertion:

• Economic development depends on country's population size, global situation, cooperation from other countries, economic priorities, etc.
• Many democratic countries like India have achieved significant economic growth.
• Dictatorships don't guarantee economic development - many poor countries are under dictatorship.

2. Partly agree:

• Democracy does not automatically reduce economic inequality.
• However, democracy provides opportunities to raise voice against inequality.
• Democratic governments can take measures to reduce inequality through progressive taxation and welfare schemes.

3. Against the assertion:

• Investment in health and education increases human capital which is essential for long-term development.
• Healthy and educated population contributes more to economic growth.
• Poverty reduction creates larger markets for industries.

4. Against the assertion:

• While one vote per person ensures political equality, it doesn't automatically eliminate social and economic domination.
• Conflicts can still exist due to social and economic inequalities.
• Domination can continue in various forms despite political equality.

Question 4: Identify the challenges to democracy in the following descriptions. Also suggest policy/institution to deal with the challenge.
(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.
(b) A large number of farmers are committing suicide in different states of India.
(c) Following allegation of killing of three civilians in Gandwara in a fake encounter by Jammu and Kashmir police, an enquiry has been ordered.

Answer-
(a) Challenge: Social inequality and discrimination based on caste.
Solution: Strict implementation of laws against untouchability, awareness campaigns, and education about equality.

(b) Challenge: Economic inequality and agricultural distress.
Solution: Better agricultural policies, fair prices for crops, crop insurance, debt relief, and rural development programs.

(c) Challenge: Abuse of power by security forces and violation of human rights.
Solution: Independent investigation, accountability mechanisms, human rights education for police, and judicial oversight.

Question 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

Question 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. dignity of the individual
C. majority rule
D. equal treatment before law

Answer-
C. majority rule
(While majority rule is part of democracy, it should not override minority rights and individual dignity)

Question 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 dictatorship
D. dictatorship is better than democracy

Answer-
B. inequalities exist in democracies

Question 8: Read the passage below:
"Nannu is a daily wage earner. He lives in Welcome Mazdoor Colony, a slum habitation in East Delhi. He lost his ration card and applied for a duplicate one in January 2004. He made several rounds to the local Food & Civil Supplies office for the next three months. But the clerks and officials would not even look at him, leave alone do his job or bother to tell him the status of his application. Ultimately, he filed an application under the Right to Information Act asking for the daily progress made on his application, names of the officials, who were supposed to act on his application and what action would be taken against these officials for their inaction. Within a week of filing application under RTI, he was visited by an inspector from the Food Department, who informed him that the card had been made and he could collect it from the office. When Nannu went to collect his card next day, he was given a very warm treatment by the Food & Supply Officer (FSO), who is the head of a circle. The FSO offered him tea and requested him to withdraw his application under RTI, since his work had already been done."
What does Nannu's example show? What impact did Nannu's action have on officials? Ask your parents their experiences when they approach government officials to attend to their problems.

Answer-
What Nannu's example shows:

• Democracy provides legal instruments like RTI to hold government accountable
• Ordinary citizens can use these instruments to get their work done
• Government officials become responsive when they know they are being watched
• Transparency laws empower common people

Impact on officials:

• Officials became immediately responsive and efficient
• They started treating Nannu with respect
• They tried to persuade him to withdraw the RTI application
• They completed the pending work quickly

[Students should ask their parents about their experiences with government officials and note down the responses]

Question 9: Which of these is not a good argument in favour of democracy? Why?
(a) People feel free and equal in a democracy
(b) Democracies resolve conflict in a better way than non-democracies
(c) Democratic government is more accountable to the people
(d) Democracies are more prosperous than others

Answer-
(d) Democracies are more prosperous than others
This is not a good argument because:

• There is no clear evidence that democracies are always more prosperous
• Many non-democratic countries have achieved high economic growth
• Economic development depends on various factors, not just the form of government
• Some democracies have poor economic performance while some dictatorships have good economic growth

Question 10: Each of these statements contains a democratic and an undemocratic element. Write out the two separately for each statement.
(a) A minister said that some laws have to be passed by the parliament in order to conform to the regulations decided by the World Trade Organisation (WTO)
(b) The Election Commission ordered re-polling in a constituency where large-scale rigging was reported
(c) Women's representation in the parliament has never reached 10 per cent. This led women's organisations to demand one-third seats for women.

Answer-
(a) Democratic element: Laws are passed by parliament
Undemocratic element: Conforming to regulations decided by external organization (WTO)

(b) Democratic element: Election Commission ordering re-polling
Undemocratic element: Large-scale rigging in elections

(c) Democratic element: Women's organizations demanding reservation
Undemocratic element: Very low representation of women in parliament

Additional Questions

Question 11: Compare the economic outcomes of democracy and dictatorship.

Answer-

Question 12: How does democracy enhance the dignity of citizens?

Answer-
Democracy enhances the dignity of citizens through:

1.Political equality: Every citizen has equal rights and one vote.

2.Freedom of expression: Citizens can express their opinions freely.

3.Right to choose: People can choose their own representatives.

4.Equal treatment: All citizens are equal before law regardless of their background.

5.Protection of rights: Fundamental rights are protected by constitution.

6.Participation: Citizens can participate in decision-making processes.

7.Accountability: Government is accountable to people.

8.Dignity of marginalized: Special provisions for marginalized groups enhance their dignity.

Question 13: "Democracy is better than any other form of government." Give arguments in favor of this statement.

Answer-
Arguments in favor of democracy:

1.Accountable government: Democratic government is accountable to the people.

2.Responsive government: It responds to people's needs and aspirations.

3.Legitimate government: It is people's own government.

4.Improves decision-making: Decisions are taken after proper discussion and consultation.

5.Provides method to resolve conflicts: It provides peaceful means to resolve conflicts.

6.Allows correction of mistakes: Mistakes can be corrected through elections and other means.

7.Enhances dignity of citizens: It promotes equality and freedom.

8.Promotes equality: It ensures equal rights and opportunities for all.

Question 14: What are the expected and actual outcomes of democracy?

Answer-

Question 15: How does democracy produce better citizens?

Answer-
Democracy produces better citizens by:

1.Promoting political awareness: Citizens become more aware of their rights and duties.

2.Developing democratic values: Values like tolerance, cooperation, and respect for others are nurtured.

3.Encouraging participation: Citizens learn to participate in public affairs.

4.Developing critical thinking: People learn to question and evaluate government actions.

5.Promoting responsibility: Citizens learn to take responsibility for their choices.

6.Developing negotiation skills: People learn to negotiate and compromise.

7.Enhancing self-confidence: Participation in democratic processes builds confidence.

8.Promoting national integration: Working together for common goals promotes unity.

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Important Keywords from the Chapter

• Accountable Government: A government that is answerable to the people for its actions
• Responsive Government: A government that responds to people's needs and demands
• Legitimate Government: A government that is legally and morally sanctioned by the people
• Economic Development: Process of improving economic well-being and quality of life
• Economic Inequality: Unequal distribution of income and opportunity between different groups
• Social Diversity: Existence of diverse social groups with different cultures, languages, religions
• Dignity: The state or quality of being worthy of honor or respect
• Transparency: The quality of being open and honest about actions and decisions
• Conflict Resolution: Process of resolving disputes or conflicts peacefully
• Political Equality: Equal political rights and opportunities for all citizens
• Majority Rule: The principle that the greater number should exercise greater power
• Minority Rights: Normal individual rights as applied to members of racial, ethnic, class, religious, linguistic or sexual minorities
• Quality of Government: The effectiveness and efficiency of government functioning
• Decision-making Process: The process through which decisions are made in a democracy
• Civil Liberties: Personal freedoms protected from government interference