Important Questions for Chapter 7 Outcomes of Democracy Class 10 Political Science
Important Questions1
What is meant by transparency?
Answer
Any citizen can examine the process of decision-making in a democracy.
VSAQ
2
How does democracy produce an accountable government?
Answer
People have the right to elect the leaders to form government and if possible they participated in decision making process.
VSAQ
3
How can you say that democracies are based on political equality?
Answer
All individuals have equal weight in electing representatives.
VSAQ
4
Which form of government is better-democratic or non-democratic?
Answer
Democratic government is better.
VSAQ
5
What is meant by economic inequality?
Answer
It refers to disparities in the distribution of economic assets and income.
VSAQ
6
Which system can reduce the possibility of tension and conflict among different groups of society?
Answer
Democratic system.
VSAQ
7
In which area does democracy fail to achieve the same results as in dictatorship?
Answer
Economic development.
VSAQ
8
When do we start cursing the idea of democracy?
Answer
If some of our expectations are not fulfilled.
VSAQ
9
What is the most basic outcome of democracy?
Answer
The most basic outcome of democracy is that it produces a government that is accountable to citizens and responsive to the needs and expectations of the citizens.
VSAQ
10
What is the basis of democracy?
Answer
Democracy is based on the idea of deliberation and negotiation.
VSAQ
11
Which features of democracy are common in most countries of the world?
Answer
Most of the democratic countries of the world today have formal constitutions, they hold elections, they have parties and they guarantee rights of citizens.
VSAQ
12
When do we start cursing the idea of democracy?
Answer
If some of our expectations are not fulfilled.
VSAQ
13
What is the most basic outcome of democracy?
Answer
The most basic outcome of democracy is that it produces a government that is accountable to citizens and responsive to the needs and expectations of the citizens.
VSAQ
14
How does democracy remove the gap between majority and minority in country?
Answer
Rule by majority means that in case of every decision or in case of every election, different persons and groups may and can form a majority Democracy remains democracy only as long as every citizen has a chance of being in majority at some points of time.
VSAQ
15
What does a legitimate government mean?
Answer
A legitimate government means a legally chosen government.
VSAQ
16
Which regimes often turn a blind eye to or suppress internal social differences?
Answer
Non-democratic regimes.
VSAQ
17
In promoting what democracy stands much superior to any other form of government?
Answer
Dignity and freedom of the individual.
VSAQ
18
Why is the cost of time that democracy pays for arriving at a decision worthwhile?
Answer
Decisions are more likely to be acceptable to the people and more effective.
VSAQ
19
Which system has a higher rate of economic growth and development?
Answer
Dictatorships.
VSAQ
1
“There is overwhelming support for the idea of democracy all over the world.” Support the statement.
Answer
There is an overwhelming support for the idea of democracy all over the world because:
• A democratic government is people’s own government.
• The evidence from South Asia shows that the support exists in countries with democratic regimes.
• People wished to be ruled by representatives elected by them.
SAQ
2
State any three merits of democracy.
Answer
Merits of Democracy are:
• Democracy assures equality in every spheres of life like political, social and economic.
• It upholds basic individual liberties like freedom of speech, etc.
• Due obedience to laws.
SAQ
3
When is democracy considered successful? Explain.
Answer
Democracy is considered to be successful because:
• The rulers elected by the people must take all major decision and not the rich and powerful.
• The election must offer a free choice and opportunity to the people.
• The choice should be available to all the people based on political equality.
SAQ
4
What outcomes can one reasonably expect of democracies?
Answer
The outcomes one can reasonably expect of the democracy are:
• In the political sphere we can expect accountable and legitimate government.
• In the economic sphere we can expect minimised economic inequalities.
• In the social sphere we can expect equal protection to oppressed classes and women.
SAQ
5
Establish the relationship between democracy and development.
Answer
Relationship between democracy and development are:
• Democracy lags behind the dictatorships in terms of development. However, the difference in the rates of economic development between less developed countries with dictatorships and democracies is negligible.
• Development depends upon many factors, i.e., size of population, global situation, cooperation from other countries, economic priorities adopted by the country, etc.
• Thus, democracy cannot guarantee of economic development but it has several other positive outcomes.
SAQ
6
Discuss any three factors that describe the successful working of democracy in India.
Answer
Factors for the success of democracy:
• Transparency of democracy.
• It is accountable and responsible of ruling.
• It provides legitimacy.
SAQ
7
“Democratic governments in practice are known as accountable.” Support the statement with arguments.
Answer
• It is right to expect democracy to form a government that follows procedures and is accountable to the people.
• It is also expected that the democratic government develops mechanisms for citizens to take part in decision making whenever they think it as fit.
• The democratic government is accountable to the people. If it ignores the will of the people they will not elect their ruler in the next general election.
SAQ
8
How does a democracy produce an accountable, responsive and legitimate government?
Answer
• People have a right to choose their rulers and have control over the rulers.
• Whenever possible and necessary, they should participate in decision-making on issues that affect them all.
• Democracy produces a government which is accountable to the citizens.
• Democracy is based on the idea of liberation and negotiation.
SAQ
9
How is democratic government known as responsive government? Explain with an example.
Answer
• A democratic government has to be responsive to the needs of its citizens.
• Through pressure groups, and public protests, the democratic government can check the popularity of its decisions and mechanism of administering justice.
• A government which is able to respond to grievances faster is able to avoid confrontation and provide good governance.
SAQ
10
‘It may be reasonable to expect from a democracy a government that is attentive to the needs and demands of the people and is largely free of corruption.’ Explain this statement in three points.
Answer
Corruption of government:
• Democracies often frustrate the needs of people and often ignore the demands of the majority.
• The routine tales of corruption are enough to convince us that democracy is not free from this evil.
• But a democratic government is people’s own government and pays heed to their demands.
• People have believed that democracy will be attentive and make policies that will free the country from corruption.
SAQ
11
Are democracies based on political and economic equalities? Explain.
Answer
Democracy are based on political equality:
• All citizens have equal role in electing representatives.
• Parallel to the process of bringing individuals into the political arena, we find growing economic inequalities.
• Democracy does not appear to be very successful in reducing economic inequalities.
• The ultra-rich enjoy a highly disproportionate share of wealth and income.
SAQ
12
How democracies have been able to reduce poverty? Elaborate.
Answer
• 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 you would expect them to.
• Situation is much worse in some of the countries where people depend upon rich countries for food supplies.
• But even then democracy is favoured because it provides the opportunity to change the rulers.
SAQ
13
What are the two conditions to accommodate social diversities in a democracy? Mention any one exception to this.
Answer
• It is necessary to understand that democracy is not simply rule by majority. The majority always needs to work with minority so that governments function to represent the general view.
• It is also necessary that rule by majority does not become rule by majority community in terms of religion or race or linguistic group.
The exception is Sri Lanka where majoritarianism is followed.
SAQ
14
“Democracy accommodates social diversities”. Support the statement with examples.
Answer
(i) Democracies develop a procedure to conduct their competition. This reduces the possibility of these tensions becoming explosive or violent.
(ii) No society can fully and permanently resolve conflicts among different groups. But we can certainly learn to respect these differences and can evolve a mechanism to negotiate these differences.
(iii) Ability to handle social differences, divisions and conflicts is thus a definite plus point of democratic regimes
(iv) We can see this from the example of Belgium which has successfully negotiated differences among its ethnic population.
SAQ
15
Explain the condition under which dignity and freedom of the citizens can be promoted.
Answer
The conditions are as follows:
• To promote the dignity and freedom of the citizens, all individuals should be treated as equal.
• Once this principle is recognised, it becomes easier for individuals to wage a struggle against what is not acceptable legally and morally.
• Claims of the disadvantaged and discriminated for equal status and equal opportunity should be strengthened.
SAQ
16
Describe the favourable conditions generally provided to people under a democratic rule.
Answer
Favourable conditions generally provided to people under a democratic rule are:
• It promotes dignity to everyone irrespective of caste, creed and religion.
• It ensures freedom of the individual.
• It provides equal status and opportunity.
• It provides positive reservation for women and other advantages for discriminated groups.
SAQ
17
Explain the ways in which democracy can be redefined to make democracy more effective.
Answer
Ways in which democracy can be redefined to make democracy more effective:
• Ensures that views of minority are respected.
• Eliminates caste, religion and gender based discrimination.
• People enjoy extensive rights from right to vote to participate in elections.
• People enjoy social and economic rights.
SAQ
1
How are complaints treated as testimony to the success of democracy? Explain.
Answer
To some extent complaints are treated as testimony to the success of democracy. We can prove the statement by analysing certain facts like:
• Some people complain that democracy is a less effective governments and it is slow in functioning. There is no doubt that non-democratic government can be more effective because they are fast in their decision making. But it is not certain that decisions are right or wrong.
• There is no denying the fact that democracies do not appear to have been successful in reducing economic inequality.
• But, it is only possible in a democracy that people can raise their voice against not only economic inequalities, but also against all types of inequalities. All these facts show that complaints are treated as testimony to the success of democracy.
LAQ
2
Explain with examples, how the dignity and freedom of citizens are best guaranteed in a democracy.
Answer
• Democracies throughout the world have recognized the fact that people should be treated with due respect. The passion for respect and freedom is the basis of democracy.
• Democracies recognize all individuals as equal. This equality is a big thing for the societies which have been built for long on the basis of subordination and domination.
• Most societies across the world are male-dominated but democracies have created sensitivity that equal treatment of women are necessary ingredients of a democratic society.
• Caste-based inequalities and atrocities are also not acceptable to democracies. All these combined together enhance the dignity and freedom of the individual.
LAQ
3
Democracy has failed to reduce economic inequality and poverty.’’ Do you agree? Give arguments in support of your answer.
Answer
In actual life, democracies do not appear to be reducing inequalities.
• The poor constitute a large proportion of our voters and no party likes to lose their votes, yet democratically elected governments have not addressed the question of poverty as one would have expected them to.
• The people in several poor countries are now dependent on the rich countries even for food supplies.
Argument in support:
• It enhances the dignity of the individuals.
• It improves the quality of decision-making.
• It provides a method to resolve conflicts.
LAQ
4
“A public expression of dissatisfaction with democracy shows the success of democratic project.” Justify the statement.
Answer
“A public expression of dissatisfaction with democracy shows the success of democratic project” as:
• It shows that people have developed awareness and the ability to expect.
• People look critically at power holders. They want to make democracy better.
• They come up with expressions and complaints.
• They value their democratic rights.
LAQ
5
“Democracy is seen to be good in principle but felt to be not so good in practice.” Justify the statement.
Answer
Democracy is seen to be good in principles but not in practice because of the following reasons:
• The decision making process in democracy is time consuming.
• The tyranny of the majority overrides the will of the minority.
• Corruption and red-tapism dominates the functioning of democracies.
• An illiterate and uninformed electorate fails to give itself a legitimate and accountable government.
• The role of charismatic leaders and dynastic politics dominates political cultures.
LAQ
6
“Democracy stands much superior in promoting dignity and freedom of the citizens”. Justify the statement.
Answer
• Every individual wants to receive respect from fellow beings.
• The passion for respect and freedom is the basis of any democracy.
• Democracies throughout the world have recognized this. It has been achieved in various degrees in various democracies.
• Long struggles by women have got them respect and equal treatment.
• Democracy has strengthened the claims of the disadvantaged and discriminated castes for equal status and equal opportunity.
LAQ
1
How is democracy accountable and responsible to the needs and expectations of the citizens? Analyse.
Answer
Democracy is accountable and responsive to the needs and expectations of the citizens because:
• In a democracy, people have the right to choose their representatives and the people will have control over them.
• Citizens have the right to participate in decisionmaking that affects them all. This ensures that the working of the government is transparent.
• Everybody expects the government to be attentive to the needs and expectations of the people.
• It is expected that the democratic government develops mechanisms for citizens to hold the government accountable.
• The opposition parties can also question and criticize the government policies. They keep a check on the ruling party and make sure that it does not misuse the power.
HOTS
2
‘‘A democratic government is efficient and effective.’’ Analyse the statement.
Answer
• Imagine a government that may take decisions very fast. But it may take decisions that are not accepted by the people and may, therefore, face problems.
• In contrast, the democratic government will take more time to follow procedure before arriving at a decision.
• However, because it has followed procedure, its decisions may be more acceptable to the people and more effective. So, the cost of time that democracy pays is perhaps worth it.
HOTS
3
‘‘Transparency is the most important feature of democracy.’’ Analyse.
Answer
Transparency is the most important feature of democracy:
• Democracy ensures that decision-making will be based on certain norms and procedures.
• So, a citizen who wants to know if a decision was taken through correct procedures can find this out.
• The citizen has the right and the means to examine the process of decision-making. This is known as transparency.
HOTS
4
‘‘A democratic government is efficient and effective.’’ Analyse the statement.
Answer
• Imagine a government that may take decisions very fast. But it may take decisions that are not accepted by the people and may, therefore, face problems.
• In contrast, the democratic government will take more time to follow procedure before arriving at a decision.
• However, because it has followed procedure, its decisions may be more acceptable to the people and more effective. So, the cost of time that democracy pays is perhaps worth it.
HOTS
1
"Democracy is more effective than its other alternatives.” Justify the statement.
Answer
Democracy is more effective than its other alternatives:
• Democracy promotes equality among citizens.
• It enhances the dignity of the individual.
• It also improves the quality of decision-making.
• It provides a method to resolve conflicts.
• It gives room to correct mistakes.
• Democratic government is a legitimate government.
• Democracy’s ability to generate its own support is itself an outcome that cannot be ignored.
VBQ