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CHAPTER 7, OUTCOMES OF DEMOCRACY, DEMOCRACY. –Ruled by elected representatives of the people, 1. FEATURES OF DEMOCRACY, have formal constitution, hold elections, have parties and they guarantee right to citizens, promotes equality among citizens., enhances the dignity of individual., Improves the quality of decision making, Provides a method to resolve conflict, Allows room to correct mistakes., , 2), , Reason for democratic government certainly better than its alternatives., Democratic, , Non democratic, , a) Right to choose their leaders and people, have control of the rulers, b) Accountable and responsible to the, doneeds and expectations of the citizens, , a)Less effective, non-democratic rulers, not have to bother about public opinion, and worry about majorities., b)Quick and efficient in decision making, but decision taken may not be accepted, by people to face problem., , c) Based on the idea of negotiations, (take more time in decision making, as the decision taken must be more, effective and acceptable to follow, procedures) and norms., d) Transparency in decision making, c)No transparency, (citizens can know about it), e) Free and fair elections, open public, debate on major policies right to, information, f) Peoples own government, Demerits - often ignore the demands of Majority, corruption, 3), Contribution to economic growth and development Factors of economic development Country’s population size,, Global situation,, Cooperation from other countries, Economic priorities adopted by the country etc., The role of democracy in the reduction of inequality and poverty is not very successful., Though based on political equality (one vote one value) – the growing economic inequality still, exists between rich and poor –, Some unable to meet the basic needs in life., 4), Steps taken to reduce inequality and poverty –, Minimum needs program for the poor, Distribution of surplus land, 116
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, , 5), , Reservation of jobs for backward classes, Social security – old age pension, free medical aid, subsidized housing, more employment, opportunities., Accommodation of social diversity –, Two conditions to achieve, it, , Majority always need to work, Majority formed by different, with minority so that, persons and groups not in terms of, government represent a general, religion, race or language, view., (Democracy remains as long as every citizen has a chance of being in majority), 6), Dignity and freedom of citizens Every individual wants to receive respect from fellow beings – (all individuals are equal), Freedom of expression to the people –their expectations and complaints are itself a testimony to, the success of democracy., Eg. Struggle for dignity by women, if recognized, they can always easily project (moral courage), of their problems., SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS [3MARKS], 1. List the factors on which the Economic development of a country depends on ?, Country’s population size, Global situation, Cooperation from other countries, Economic priorities adopted by the country, 2. How does democracy produce an accountable, responsive and legitimate government?, Democracy is a form of government in which people rule themselves through the, representatives who are elected by them., The elected members from the government and make policies to run the administration of the, country., The government elected by the people is also accountable to them., 3. How does democracies accommodate social diversity?, It is necessary to understand that democracy is not simply ruled by majority opinion. The, majority always needs to work with the minority, It is also necessary that rule by majority does not become rule by majority community, Democracy remains a democracy as long as every citizen has a choice of living in majority, at, same point of time, LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS [5MARKS], 1. What is democracy? What are its various characteristics?, Democracy is a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and the, representatives of the people , elected by the voters on the basis of universal adult franchise, o It promotes equality among citizens., o It looks after the interest of the people, o It allows rooms to correct mistakes., o Accommodation of social diversity, , 117
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2., , Explain the expected outcome from democracy?, Economic equality: It is expected from the democracy that economic inequality should be, removed from our country, Decentralization of power: Power should be decentralized and divided from higher level to lower, levels, Accommodation of social diversity ., Principles of equality -: All citizens of India should be given social justice, there should be no, discrimination with any one of them basis of caste, color, creed, religion etc., 3.“ Democracy is better than any other form of government” Give arguments in favor of these, statement?, 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, It is based on public opinion: Democracy is that system of rule which is based on public, opinion and the rule is being run according to the wish of the people, It is based on principles of equality: All humans in democracy are considered as equal. No, one gets special privileges, Responsible government: Government in monarchy and dictatorship are not responsive to, anyone. But government in democracy is responsible to the people and parliament, Strong and efficient government: Administration is being run by the representatives of the, people who have the support of public. Rulers are controlled by public opinion and they are, responsive to the people for their decisions, Accommodate all diversities and differences., QUESTION BANK –, 1. Why do some people think that democracy produces less effective government ?, 2. What is known as transparency in a democracy?, 3.’Democracies are based on Political Equality’ what does it mean?, 4. Democracy is based on dignity and freedom-Explain, 5. How can democracy be successful in bringing social harmony?, , ***********************, , 118