26 Most Important Questions of Outcomes of Democracy

Notes on Outcomes of Democracy

Revise Your Chapter: Outcomes of Democracy

Outcomes of Democracy - Class 10 - Questions and Answers - NCERT

Q.1: Give reasons to explain that democracy is better than any other form of government.
Answer:
(a) It encourages equality among citizens;
(b) It enhances the dignity of the individual;
(c) It improves the quality of decision-making;
(d) It provides a method to resolve conflicts.

Q.2: When do we start cursing the idea of democracy?
Answer:
We start cursing the idea of democracy if some of our expectations are not fulfilled.

Q.3: Why should we accept that democracy is just a form of government?
Answer:
We should accept that democracy is just a form of government because it can only develop conditions to achieve something and the citizens have to take advantage of these conditions and achieve their goals.

Q.4: What things a democracy must provide to its people?
Answer:
A democracy must provide the following things to its people:
(a) People must have the right to choose their rulers and have control over their rulers.
(b) Whenever possible and necessary, citizens should be able to participate in decision making, which affects them all.

Q.5: What should be the most essential outcome of democracy?
Answer:
The most essential outcome of democracy should be that it produces a government that is accountable to the citizens and responsive to the needs and expectations of the citizens.

[For complete revision of the lesson don't forget to read: Outcomes of Democracy | MCQs & Q&A]

Q.6: How can you say that non-democratic governments can be very quick and efficient in decision making and implementation?
Answer:
Non-democratic rulers do not have to bother about deliberation in assemblies or worry about majorities and public opinion. So these non-democratic governments can be very quick and efficient in decision making.

Q.7: Why does the democratic government take time in decision making?
Answer:
Democracy is based on the idea of deliberation and negotiation. So some delay is bound to take place.

Q.8: How can a citizen find out if a decision was taken through the correct procedures?
Answer:
In a democratic system the democratic government ensures people that decision making will be based on some norms and procedures. So, a citizen who wants to know if a decision was taken through the correct procedures can find this out. He has the right and the means to examine the process of decision making. This is known as transparency.

Q.9: What practices and institutions would you look for, if you wanted to measure democracies?
Answer:
We would look for the following practices and institutions, if we wanted to measure democracies:
(a) Regular, free and fair elections;
(b) Open public debate on major policies and legislation;
(c) Citizens’ right to information about the government and its functioning.

Outcomes of Democracy Long and Short Answer Questions

Q.10: What is the real performance of democracies?
Answer:
The real performance of democracies shows a mixed record. Democracies have had greater success in setting up regular and free elections and in setting up conditions for open public debate. But most democracies fall short of elections that provide a chance to everyone and in subjecting every decision to public debate. When it comes to sharing information with citizens, they do not have a very good record. All one can say in favour of democratic regimes is that they are much better than any non-democratic regime in these respects.

Q.11: Why do people all over the world support the idea of democracy?
Answer:
Democratic government is a legitimate government. It may be slow, less efficient, not always very responsive or clean but a democratic government is people’s own government and in this respect it is certainly much better than its alternatives. That is why there is an overwhelming support for the idea of democracy all over the world.

Q. 12: How does democracy produce an accountable, responsive and legitimate government?
Answer:
Democracy produces an accountable, responsive and legitimate government in the following ways:

(a) Democratic government is responsible to the people. It cares about the opinions, needs and expectations of the people.

(b) In a democratic government, people have the right to choose their leaders and have control over their leaders.

(c) In a democratic government, citizens are able to participate in decision making. In this way the basic outcome of democracy is that it produces a government accountable to the citizens.

(d) Democracy produces legitimate government because after every four or five years, the representatives of the people are elected by secret ballet. The majority party forms government which works according to constitution.

Q.13: What are the conditions under which democracies accommodate social diversities?
Answer:
The following two conditions are necessary for a democracy to accommodate social diversities:

(a) It is essential to understand that democracy is simply not rule by majority opinion. The majority always requires working with the minority so that government function to show the general view.

(b) Majority means that in case of every decision or election, different persons and groups may and can form a majority on the basis of birth, then the democratic rule ceases to be accommodative for that person or group.

Q.14: Give arguments to support or oppose the following assertions:

• Industrialized countries can afford democracy but the poor need dictatorship to become rich.

• Democracy can’t reduce inequality of incomes between different citizens.

• Government in poor countries should spend less on poverty reduction, health, education and spend more on industries and infrastructure.

• In democracy all citizens have one vote, which means that there is absence of any domination and conflict.

Answer:

• It is not the proper idea that industrial country can afford democracy but poor need dictatorship. Today, every country can afford democracy but no country can afford dictatorship because it is not accountable, responsible and legitimate.

• Democracy can reduce economic inequality between different citizens by using progressive policies for the citizens.

• This argument is not acceptable for the reason that even if people could not meet their basic needs then what should they expect from democracy.

• This argument is also not acceptable because every citizen has one vote means political parties cannot avoid any social group. Their policies benefit all the groups so that they win their support in the elections.

Q.15: Identify the challenges to democracy in the following descriptions. Also suggest policy/institutional mechanism to deepen democracy in the given situations:

• 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.

• A large number of farmers are committing suicide in different states of India.

• Following allegation of killing of three civilians in Gandwara in a fake encounter by Jammu and Kashmir police, an inquiry has been ordered.

Answer:
• The High Court directive allowed entry for all from the same door.
Suggestion: - The government should assure the citizens that untouchability should not be allowed in any form in the state.

• This reflects the failure of government in terms of its policies and programmes.
Suggestion: - The government should provide the facilities of agricultural insurance and cheaper loans to farmers.

• This shows that democracy has failed to secure the dignity and freedom of the citizens.
Suggestion: - An inquiry should be conducted impartially.

Q.16: 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 marginalized sections are to be treated
D. the idea of political inequality
Answer:
D. Democracies have successfully eliminated the idea of political inequality.

Q.17: 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 individual
C. majority rule
D. equal treatment before law
Answer:
C. majority rule

Q.18: 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.

Q.19: Why is democracy considered better than dictatorship or any other form of government?
Answer:
Democracy is considered better than dictatorship or any other form of government because:
(a) It promotes equality among citizens;
(b) It enhances the dignity of the individual;
(c) It improves the quality of decision making;
(d) It provides a method to resolve conflicts;
(e) It allows a room to correct mistakes.





Q.20: What are the three merits of democracy?
Answer:
(a) Democracy assures quality.
(b) It upholds individuals’ liberties.
(c) Willing obedience of laws.

Q.21: What are prerequisites of democracy?
Answer: Certain conditions need to be implemented for the ideals, principles and norms of democracy such as equality, liberty, dignity of citizens, fraternity and justice. These conditions may be called as prerequisites of democracy.

Q.22: Name any four common elements of democratic politics all over the world.
Answer:
Common elements of democratic politics all over the world:
(a) They have formal constitutions.
(b) They hold elections.
(c) They have political parties.
(d) They guarantee rights of citizens.

Q23: Name any four distinguishing elements of democratic politics all over the world.
Answer:
Distinguishing elements of democratic politics all over the world:
(a) Democracies differ in social situations;
(b) They differ in economic achievements;
(c) They differ in their culture.

Q.24: Is having democracy enough? What are the conditions necessary for success of democracy?
Answer: Democracy means rule by the people. But only having a democratic government is not enough. There are certain conditions necessary for a democracy.

(a) Free and Fair Elections: Elections should be held regularly in the country. They should also be held in an impartial way. Role of money should not be there in the elections.

(b) Moral Soundness of the Citizens: The success of democracy depends on the moral soundness of the citizens. It means that individuals should have tolerance for different views, religions and languages. They should place national interests above the personal interests.

(c) Economic Equality: There should be sufficient economic security for the individual. There should not be large gap between the poor and the rich.

Q.25: What are the demerits of dictatorship?
Answer:
Dictatorship means “rule by few”. All the powers in the government are with a single person or with a single party. The demerits of dictatorship are given below:

(a) Suppression of Civil Liberties: In a dictatorship, people are not allowed to disagree with the policies and programs of the government. There is no liberty of thought, speech and writing.

(b) Decisions Taken by the Dictator: All the decisions are taken by the dictator himself. Generally, he does not consult anybody before taking decisions.

(c) Violence: Violence is very common in dictatorship.

Q.26: What are the merits of dictatorship?
Answer:
The merits of dictatorship are:

(a) In dictatorship, there are no competing political parties. This ensures stability in the government.

(b) The orders are carried out as soon as they are passed in dictatorship. This brings speed and efficiency in the system.

(c) The dictators take all the decisions themselves. This enables them to take quick and decisive decisions.