1 Is Democracy a better form of government when compared with dictatorship or any
other
alternative?
Democracy is better because:
It promotes equality among citizens.
It enhances the dignity of the individual.
It improves the quality of decision-making.
It provides a method to resolve conflicts.
It allows room to correct mistakes.
2 ‘Democracy is seen to be good in principle, but felt, to be not so good in pratice’. Justify
the statement with suitable arguments.
We face a dilemma: democracy is seen to be good in principle, but felt to be not so good
in its pratice.
In prrinciple-
Democracy equality among people.
Citizens have the right and the means to examine the process of decision making.
Improves the quality of decision making.
People can elect their rulers and have control over them. Allows room to correct
istakes.
Democracy produces a resposnive government.
In Practice-
Democracy sometimes fails to regard the wishes of minorities. Example- srilanka
followed majortiatrianism.
Democracy fails in subjecting every decision to public debate.
The decision making procrss in democracy is delayed.
Democracises fall short of elections that provide a fair chance to everyone.
Democracies often frustrate the needs of the people and often ignore the demands
of a majority of population.
3 What are the common features of democracy in most of the countries of the world?
All democracies have few things common among them:
They have formal consitutions.
They guarantee democratic rights of citizens.
They hold elections.
They have political parties.
4 What is the basic outcome of demcoracy?
People have the right to choose their rulers,
Citizens should be able to parti
The most basic outcome of demcracy should be that it produces a government that
is accountable to the citizens and responsive to the needs and expectations of the
citizens.
5 Is the Democratic government efficient? Is it effective?
Imagine that other forms of government may take decisions very fast. But it may
take decisions that are not accepted by the people and may, therefore, face
problems.
Democracy is based on the idea of deliberation and negotiation. So, some delay is
bound to take place.
In contrast, the democratic government will take more time to follow procedures
before arriving at a decision.
But because it has followed procedures, its decisions may be both more
acceptable to the people and more effective.
So, the cost of time that democracy pays is perhaps worth it
6 "Transparency is the most important feature of Democracy." Analyse.
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
7 Ín comparison to non-democratic government, decision of government takes times.’
Does democracy pay its price? Explain.
The democratic government will take more time to follow procedures before
arriving at a decision.
But because it has followed procedures, its decisions may be both more
acceptable to the people and more effective.
So, the cost of time that democracy pays is perhaps worth it.
8 What are some basic practices and institutions expected from democracy?
Some of the basic practices and institutions expected form democracy are:
regular, free and fair elections
open public debate on major policies and legislations
Citizens right to information about the government and its functioning.
9 “Democratic governments in practice are known as accountable.” Support the statement
with arguments.
Democratic governments in practice are accountable because:
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 is 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.
The procedures and Decision-making process should be transparent for a
democratic government to be accountable to the people.
10 Why is Democratic government known as Legitimate government?
A Democratic government is called a Legitimate government because it is the
people’s government.
It may be slow, less efficient and not very responsive and clean, but it is people’s
government.
There is overwhelming support for the idea of democracy all over the world.
People of South Asia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan and Nepal do not
doubt the suitability of democracy for their own country.
People wish to be ruled by representatives elected by them. Democracy’s ability
to generate its support makes it more legitimate
11 How is Democratic government known as Responsive government? Explain with an
example.
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 that can respond to grievances faster can avoid confrontation and
provide good governance.
12 "Democracy is based on the idea of deliberation and negotiation". Examine the
statement. Democracy is based on the idea of deliberation and negotiation:
Democracy gives importance to deliberation and public opinion.
The Democratic government will take more time to follow procedures before
arriving at a decision.
Its decisions may be both more acceptable to the people and more effective.
Democracy ensures that decision making will be based on norms and procedures.
Transparency as persons have the right and the means to examine the process of
decision making.
It follows procedures and is accountable to the people. (vii) The democratic
government develops mechanisms for citizens to hold the government
accountable.
Democratic government follows mechanisms for citizens to take part in decision
making whenever they think fit.
13 “Democracies are not appearing to be very successful in reducing economic
inequalities.” Analyse the statement.
Success of Democracies in reducing economic inequalities:
We find growing economic inequalities in democratic countries.
A small number of ultra-rich enjoys a highly disproportionate share of wealth and
incomes.
Their share in the total income of the country has been increasing.
The Income of the poor has been decline sometimes they find it difficult to meet
their basic needs of life.
Though Democracies gradually reducing the number of poor from poverty and
hunger
14 "Democracy has failed to reduce Economic Inequality and Poverty." Do you agree?
Give arguments in support of your 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 rich countries even
for food supplies.
Arguments in support:
It enhances the dignity of the individuals.
It improves the quality of decision-making.
It provides a method to resolve conflicts
15 “Democracy plays an important role to accommodate Social diversity.” Support the
statement with examples.
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. Majority and minority
opinions are not permanent.
It is also necessary that rule by majority does not become rule by majority
community in terms of religion or race or linguistic group, etc.
Democracy remains democracy only as long as every citizen has a chance of
being in majority at some point of time. If someone is barred from being in
majority on the basis of birth, then the democratic rule ceases to be
accommodative for that person or group.
16 Democracy stands much superior in promoting dignity and freedom of the citizens”.
Justify the statement.
Democracy promotes dignity and freedom of individuals.
People want respect and dignity from fellow beings. The promotion of dignity
and freedom of individual is foundation store of Democracy.
It has moral and legal force in Constitution. However, no such provision in other
forms of government.
There is no discrimination based on race, religion, caste, sex and creed.
Women have agitated for equal rights and opportunities as men. Democracy has
helped in voicing their views and proper support.
Once, something has a legal force. It becomes easier to raise demands and hold
respect. This has improved the situation of Women.
This has also helped in empowerment and respect for untouchables by promoting
their interests. It is a legitimate government.
17 "Complaints are treated as testimony to the success of Democracy." Justify this
statement.
Complaints are treated as testimony:
It shows that people have developed awareness and the ability to expect and to
look critically at power holders and the high and the mighty.
A public expression of dissatisfaction with democracy shows the success of the
democratic project.
It transforms people from the status of a subject into that of a citizen.
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INDIAN SCHOOL, ALAIN
OUTCOMES OF DEMOCRACY
GRADE: 10
