Chapter-7

Outcomes of Democracy

1 marks Questions

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

Ans. (a) Democracy

2. The most important outcome of democracy is

(a) Accountable government

(b) Responsive government
(c) Both of them
(d) None of them

Ans. (c) Both of them

3. Democracy is based on the idea of

(a) Majority
(b) Minority
(c) Deliberation and negotiation
(d) None of these

Ans. (c) Deliberation and negotiation

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

Ans. (a) Transparency

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

Ans. (a) Abraham Lincoln

6. Name the law which empowers the people to find out what is happening in
government?

Ans. Right to information Act

7. Give one characteristics of democracy.

Ans. .Democracies have greater success in setting up regular and free elections

8. When was democracy introduced in India?

Ans. 1950

9. What is the basic element of democracy?

Ans. Universal adult franchise

10. Mention the terms in which democracies are different from one another.

Ans. .Democracies are different in terms of Culture, social situation and economic activities.

11. Mention the way in which the democratic government a transparent government.

Ans. It provides to its citizens a right and means to examine the process of decision-making.
Example: Right to information Act.

12. Who are the real rulers in democracy?

Ans. The Voters

13. In which area does the democracy fails to achieve in contrary to other forms of
government?

Ans. Democracy fails to achieve higher economic development.

14. What do you understand by outcomes of democracy?

Ans. It means results, consequences, and outputs of democracy are known as outcomes of
democracy.

15. Write any two basic element of democracy.

Ans. Liberty and Equality

16. Name the country which has most stable democracy?

Ans. USA.

17. In which field the achievement of dictatorship is better than democracy?

Ans. In the Economic field achievement of dictatorship is better than democracy due to
higher economic growth.
18. What is transparency?

Ans. . Under democracy, a citizen who wants to know if a decision was taken through the
correct procedures can find this out easily. He/she has the right and the means to examine
the process of democracy. This is known as transparency.

19. Mention any four factors on which the economic development of a country depends
upon.

Ans. . Population size, Economic resources, Global Situation and Cooperation from other
countries.

20. What was the economic growth rate of poor countries under dictatorship during
1950-2000?

Ans. 4.34

21. What was the economic growth rate of poor countries under democracy during
1950-2000?

Ans. 4.28

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

government?

Ans. 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.
 3 marks Questions

1. List the various aspects and qualifications which help in giving a clear definition of
democracy.

Ans. 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 ademocracy.

2. “Democratic governments are better than its alternatives”. Explain the statement?

Ans. 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
withdemocratic regimes as well as countries without democratic regimes.

3. How democracy accommodates social diversity?

Ans. 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.

4. How can we measure democracy on the basis of its expected outcome?

Ans. To measure a democracy on the basis of its expected outcomes we have to observe the
following practices and institutions like

1. In a democracy free and fair elections should be there.

2. Open criticism and debate on major policies and legislations.
3. Citizens right to information about the functioning of government.
4. Whether the democracies are providing a fair chance to everyone, to participate in
elections and decision making process.

5. What is meant by an accountable, responsive and legitimate government? Explain.

Ans. Accountable: A democratic government develops mechanism for citizens to take part
in decision-making process. For this free and fair elections, open debate on major policies,
legislation, Right to information- such rights are given to the citizens.

Responsive: Democracy is a responsive government. It is responsive towards the needs and

expectations of the citizens. It takes care and makes policies for the welfare of the citizens.

Legitimate: A democratic government is a legitimate government. It is elected by the people

and people wish to be ruled by the representatives elected by them.

6. “Any imperfection in the government functions is blamed on democracy”. Is it right?

Ans. Every individual expects a lot from democracy. Democracy is expected to solve all the
socio-economic, political and economic problems of the country. Democracy is expected to
give equality of status to every citizen. It is expected that there would not be any type of
discrimination on ground of gender, race, religion or region. The reality is that everything is
expected out of democracy. Any imperfection in any such area is termed as undemocratic. It
should be realized that democracy is a form of government that creates conditions which
will ensure quality of citizens before the law of the country. But the citizens have to know
their rights and freedom and they should try to enforce them. A democratic set up does not
ensure all the right policies. Individuals have to take advantage of the good conditions
created by democracy and make good policies. Thus it is not right that any information in
any area is thrown on democracy.

7. Why we felt that democracy is a better form of Government? Give reasons

Ans. 1. It promotes equality among citizens.

2. It enhances the dignity of the individuals.
3. It improves the quality of decision making
4. It provides a method to resolve conflict.
5. It allows room to correct mistake.

8. What outcomes can one reasonably expect of democracy?

Ans. 1. In the political sphere- Right to vote, Right to contest elections.

2. In the economic sphere-Minimized Economic inequalities.
3. In the Social sphere-Equal protection to women, SCs, STs, OBCs.

9. Are democracies based on political and economic equalities? Explain.

Ans. 1. All citizens have equal role in electing representatives.

2. Parallel to the process of bringing individuals into the political arena, we find growing
economic inequalities.
3. Democracy does not appear to be very successful in reducing economic inequalities.
4. The ultra-rich enjoy a highly disproportionate share of wealth and income.

10. How is democratic government known as responsive government? Explain.

Ans. 1. It produces a government that is accountable to the citizens, and responsive to the
needs of and expectations of the citizens.
2. Democracy is based on the idea of deliberations and negations.
3. Democratic government is attentive to the needs and demands of the people.
4. A government which is able to respond to grievance faster is able to avoid confrontation
and provide good governance.

11. Why is democratic government known as legitimate government?

Ans. 1. A democratic government is called legitimate government because it is people’s own

government.
2. There is an overwhelmingly support for the idea of democracy all over the world.
3. People wish to be ruled by representatives elected by them.
4. Democratic government is attentive to the needs and demands of the people.

12. How does democracy accommodate social diversities?

Ans. 1. It reduced the possibility of tension.

2. It evolves mechanism to negotiate the differences.
3. It expands democratic rights to minority and weaker section of society.
4. It ensures the dignity and equal rights to all its citizens.

13. How democracies are based on political and economic equalities?

Ans. 1. All citizens have equal role in electing representatives.

2. Parallel to the process of bringing individuals into political arena, we find growing
economic inequalities.
3. Democracy does not appear to be very successful in reducing economic inequalities.
4. The ultra rich enjoy a highly disproportionate share of wealth and income.
5. At the bottom of the society, the people have very little to depend on. It is very difficult to
meet their basic needs of life, such as food, clothing, house, education and health.

14. How far it is correct to say that democracies have not been able to reduce poverty?

Ans. 1. The ability of democracy to achieve higher developments worries us.

2. Democracies do not appear to be very successful in reducing economic inequalities.
Although majority of voters constitute the poverty ridden group, yet democratically elected
government do not appear to be as keen to address the question of poverty as we would
expect them to.
3. The situation is much worse in some other countries .People in several poor countries are
now dependent on rich countries even for food.

15. List any three reasons in support of the statement that democratic government is
better than its alternatives.

Ans. 1. A democratic government is people’s own government. That is why it receives

overwhelming support from all over the world.
2. People wish to be ruled by representatives elected by them.
3. Democratic government is legitimate government.
4. Democracy’s ability to generate its own support is itself an outcome that cannot ignored.

16. “Transparency is the most important feature of democracy.” Analyze.

Ans. 1. Democracy ensures that decision-making will be based on norms and procedures.
2. So, citizens who want to know if a decision was taken through correct procedures can find
this out.
3.The people have the right and the means to examine the process of decision-making. This is
all what transparency is meant for.

17. Why is it said that democracies are not free from evils? Explain.

Ans. 1. Most democracies fall short of elections that provide a fair chance to everyone and in
subjecting every decision to public debates.
2. Democratic governments do not have a very good record when it comes to sharing
information with citizens.
3. Democracies often frustrate the needs of the people and often ignore the demands of a
majority of it population.

18. ‘Democracies always respond to the needs of people’. Analyze the statement..

Ans. 1. In a democracy the government is known a responsive government as it responds to

the needs of the people.
2. A non democratic government may and can respond to the people’s needs, but it all
depends on the wishes of the people who rule.
3. A democracy requires that the rulers have to attend to the needs of people. A democratic
government is a better government because it is a more accountable form of government.
4. In a democracy there is always a space for public discussion and a room for correction.

19. Do you agree with the outcome of democracy that it proves to be a better
government regarding economic growth of a country? Explain.

Ans. 1. It is true that during last 50 years dictatorship have shown slightly higher rate of
economic growth in comparison to many democracies.
2. But we all know that there are many other factors that determine that economic growth of
a country like- population size, global situation, cooperation from other countries, economic
priorities adopted by the country etc.
3. So even when there is nominal difference in the rate of economic growth between
countries under dictatorship and democracy, it is better to prefer democracy as it has several
other positive outcomes like dignity and freedom of citizens.

20. Why is a democratic government considered less efficient? Give any three reasons.

Ans. 1. Deliberations and discussions in the legislature consume lot of time.

2. The fear of majority and public opinion is a big obstacle in the efficient working of the
government.
3. Deliberations and negations cause delay in taking decisions or getting the plans executed.
This also adversely affects efficiency.

21. Has democracy led to the development, security and dignity of the people?

Ans. Democracy stands much superior to any other form of government. Democracy
promotes dignity and freedom of the individuals. The passion for respect and freedom are
the basis of democracy. This has been achieved in various degrees in various democracies.
We can take the case of dignity of women. Most societies across the world were historically
male dominated societies. Long struggles by women have created some sensitivity today. On
the other hand, in non-democracies, individual freedom would not have legal and moral
support. Democracies in India have also strengthened the claims of the claims of the
disadvantaged and discriminated castes for equal status and equal opportunities. Perhaps it
is the recognition that makes ordinary citizens values their democratic rights.

22. ‘It is said that democracy is a rule of the majority. The poor are in majority. So
democracy must be a rule of the poor’. Justify the answer with suitable arguments.

Ans.No it is not justified, because the rule of majority does not mean the rule of people who
are in majority in number. If the number of poor people in India is more it does not mean
that the rule should be of poor. The majority means that the rule of majority government.
The political party who won maximum number of seats can form government if political
party is able to prove its majority in the house.

23. What do you mean by civil liberties?

Ans. 1. Freedom of speech and expression.

2. Freedom of religion and thought.
3. Freedom to form association and freedom to move.
4. Legal liberty or freedom to a fair trial.

24. Why do people prefer democracy? Explain with four reasons.

Ans. 1. Democracy promotes equality among citizens.

2. Democracy enhances dignity of individuals.
3. Quality involves in decision making.
4. Democracy provides acceptable method to resolve conflict.

25. How does democracy leads to peaceful and harmonious life among citizens in
political sphere?

Ans. 1. Democracy provides a conducive political environment to citizens for their popular
participation in politics
2. Every adult citizen has the right to vote and right to contest.
3. Every citizen can form political party.

26. How does democracy leads to peaceful and harmonious life among citizens in
economic sphere?

Ans. 1. Democracy stands for equal economic status to all citizens.

2. In democracy every citizen has right to do any profession.
3. In democracy government undertakes extensive social welfare schemes and achieve
universal economic growth rate.
4. Democracy government took so many welfare schemes to remove poverty.

27. How does democracy leads to peaceful and harmonious life among citizens in social
sphere?

Ans. 1. Democratic government tries to resolve differences, respect differences and try
mechanism which can negotiate differences.
2. It is also a form of society as well as a social order which promotes dignity and freedom of
the individual.

28. Explain the characteristics of Democracy?

Ans. 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

29. Describe the features of dictatorship?

Ans. 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

30. “Democracy is better than any other form of government.” Give arguments in favors
of this statement Or Explain the merits of democracy.

Ans. 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.
 5 marks Questions

1. Democracy means delay in the decision making. Which one is preferable-quick

decision making process of dictatorship or slow decision making process of democracy?

Ans. Democracy involves debates and deliberations in the parliament before making a law.
The views of all the members of parliament are taken into consideration before taking the
final decision. Dictatorship means decisions taken by one person or one party. Different
views of other members of the government or public are not considered. Democracy means
delay in the decision making process as the debates take a long time. It means that the
implementation will also take time. Dictatorship means quick decisions. But those decisions
are orders of the government and people are not allowed to disagree with them. Even
citizens are not supposed to criticize the decisions made by the government. Democracy is
better even if it takes more time in making the decisions. At least, the views of the citizens
are considered and they are not ordered to just follow them. Individuals can disagree with
the policies of the government and show their protest against the government.

2. How can democracy accommodate the dignity of women and caste discrimination in
one system?

Ans. In case of dignity of women, most societies across the world were historically male
dominated societies. Long struggles by women have created some sensitivity today that
respect to and equal treatment of women are necessary ingredients of a democratic society.
That does not mean that women are actually always treated with respect. But once the
democratic principle is recognized, it becomes easier for women to wage a struggle against
what is now unacceptable legally and morally.Democracy in India has strengthened the
claims of the disadvantaged and discriminated castes for equal status and equal opportunity.
There are instances still of caste-based inequalities and atrocities, but these lack the moral
and legal foundations. Perhaps it is the recognition that makes ordinary citizens values their
democratic right.

3. Democracies lead to peaceful and harmonious life among citizens.” Support this
statement with suitable arguments.

Ans. 1. Democracy develops a harmonious social life. Democracies accommodate various

social divisions.

2. Democracies usually develop a procedure to conduct their competition. This reduces the
possibility of these tensions becoming explosive or violent.

3. In democracies people learn to respect the differences and also evolve mechanism to
negotiate the differences.

4. The majority always needs to work with the minority so that government functions to
represent the general view.

5. Democracy has ability to handle social differences, divisions and conflict.

4. Do you believe that democracy can reduce economic disparities? Give reasons to
support your answer.

Ans. Yes, this is far of following reasons;

1. A democracy believes in equitable distribution and makes efforts to serve the poor at the
root level.

2. A democracy believes in providing equal opportunity to all. Democratic governments have

been supporting poor people through various schemes to uplift their economic level.

3. Poor people are being provided food and shelter at a subsidized rate and also free
medicines and treatment facilities.

4. They are being insured for any unhappenings so that their families do not get crushed.

5. They are being provided free education, reservation in educational institution and
government jobs, etc.
5. “Corruption is a serious problem faced the Indian Democratic System”. Explain.

Ans. 1. It has now become an accepted fact that leaders use money to win favour of the
votes. This reason lessens the very sprit of democratic values.

2. There is an ever increasing tendency among the political parties to give tickets to those
who are rich. The parties think that they could win not only their own seats but also help the
party monetarily.

3. Now scams by leaders and governments have become a routine tale in the Indian
democracy. Many of the popular leaders are facing trials for corruption charges against
them.

4. It has been seen that the wards of the prominent leaders of party easily get tickets for
election. The party workers keep serving for years but sometimes outsiders get tickets.

5. It has now become a traditional in many of the popular political parties that the chair is
inherited.

6. How do people take part in decision making in democracy? Explain.

Ans. 1. Decisions are made by the representatives elected by the people. These
representatives represent the ideas and opinions of those voters who have elected them to
take decisions on their behalf.

2. In a democracy, people want to know if a decision was taken through correct procedure,
can find this out. In this way, they have some degree of control over the whole process of
decision making.

3. In a democracy people have the right and mean to examine the process of decision
making.

4. Sometimes important issues are put forward by the government for public debate before a
decision is taken.

5. Demonstration, movement, pressure groups, etc. provide means in the hands of people to
influence decision making.
7. Which factors sustain democracy in India?

Ans. 1. Democracy is based on the principles of equality, liberty and brotherhood. To achieve
the prescribed goal the framers of our constitution adopted the aims like secularism,
socialism democratic republic.

2. The framers of our constitution provided for a representative democracy in a liberal

framework in order to sustain democracy.

3. In our country there are periodic elections for all levels of the government.

4. All elections are based on secret ballot and universal adult franchise.

5. Our Constitution has given complete liberty to pressure and other organized or
unorganized.

8. How do we assess democracy’s outcome?

Ans.

1. Comparative analysis between democracy and dictatorship.

2. It provides accountable, responsible, representative and legitimate government.
3. It develops mechanism for the people’s participation in the decision making process.
4. It promotes economic development. At the same time democracy has the characteristics
of economic inequality and disparities.
5. We can also assess its outcome on the basis of the way it accommodates the social
diversities.

It also promotes dignity and freedom of the citizens

 MCQ

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

Ans.(a) Democracy

Q.2:- The most important outcome of democracy is

(a) Accountable government

(b) Responsive government

(c) Both of them

(d) None of them

Ans.(c) Both of them

Q.3:- Democracy is based on the idea of

(a) Majority

(b) Minority `

(c) Deliberation and negotiation

(d) None of these

Ans.(c) Deliberation and negotiation

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

Ans.(a) Transparency

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

Ans.(a) Abraham Lincoln

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

government?

Ans.:- 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.

Q.2:- List the various aspects and qualifications which help in giving a clear definition
of democracy.
Ans.:- 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.

Q.3:- “Democratic governments are better than its alternatives”. Explain the statement?

Ans.:- 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.

Q.4:- How democracy accommodates social diversity?

Ans.:- 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 majority77

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.

Long Answers Type Questions

Q.1:- Explain the characteristics of Democracy?

Ans.:- 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

Q. 2:- Describe the features of dictatorship?

Ans.:- 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

Q.3:- “Democracy is better than any other form of government.” Give arguments in
favors of this statement

OR

Explain the merits of democracy.

Ans.:- 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.