Outcomes of Democracy
1. How does democracy produce an accountable, responsive and legitimate government?
Answer:
- In a democracy, people have the right to choose their rulers and control them.
- Decisions are taken through discussion, debate, and procedures which make the government accountable.
- Citizens can participate in decision-making, question the government, and access information (transparency).
- Though it may be slow, democracy is responsive to people’s needs and expectations.
- Democracy is considered legitimate because it is people’s own government, chosen by them.
2. What are the conditions under which democracies accommodate social diversities?
Answer:
- Democracy is not only rule by majority opinion but requires majority to work with the minority.
- Majority rule must not turn into rule of majority community based on religion, language or race.
- Every citizen should have a chance of being in majority at some point of time.
- Respecting differences and evolving mechanisms to negotiate differences helps democracy accommodate diversity.
3. Give arguments to support or oppose the following assertions:
1. Industrialised countries can afford democracy but the poor need dictatorship to become rich.
Answer: Oppose: Economic development depends on many factors, not just the form of government. Dictatorships may grow faster sometimes, but democracy too creates conditions for growth.
2. Democracy can’t reduce inequality of incomes between different citizens.
Answer: Support: Democracies have not been very successful in reducing economic inequality. A few rich enjoy a huge share of wealth, while many remain poor.
3. Government in poor countries should spend less on poverty reduction, health, education and spend more on industries and infrastructure.
Answer: Oppose: In democracies, the government is expected to work for the welfare of all, especially the poor. Health, education, and poverty reduction are essential responsibilities.
4. In democracy all citizens have one vote, which means that there is absence of any domination and conflict.
Answer: Oppose: Democracy gives political equality but social and economic inequalities still exist. Domination and conflicts have not been completely removed.
4. Identify the challenges to democracy in the following descriptions.
Also suggest policy/institutional mechanism to deepen democracy in the given situations:
1. 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.
Answer: Temple in Orissa allowing Dalits and non-Dalits to enter from the same door:
- Challenge: Caste-based discrimination.
- Mechanism: Enforce equality before law, awareness, and strict action against untouchability.
2. A large number of farmers are committing suicide in different states of India.
Answer: Farmers committing suicide in different states:
- Challenge: Poverty and agrarian crisis.
- Mechanism: Government support through loan waivers, fair prices, better policies, and rural welfare schemes.
3. Following an allegation of killing of three civilians in Gandwara in a fake encounter by Jammu and Kashmir police, an enquiry has been ordered.
Answer: Fake encounter in Jammu and Kashmir:
- Challenge: Misuse of power by police and human rights violation.
- Mechanism: Independent enquiry, stronger laws, and accountability of security forces.
5. 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 marginalised sections are to be treated
D. the idea of political inequality
Answer: D. the idea of political inequality
6. In the context of assessing democracy, which among the following is the odd one out. Democracies need to ensure:
A. free and fair elections
B. dignity of the individual
C. majority rule
D. equal treatment before law
Answer: C. majority rule
7. 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.
8. Read the passage below:
Nannu is a daily wage earner. He lives in Welcome Mazdoor nColony, a slum habitation in East Delhi. He lost his ration card and applied for a duplicate one in January 2004. He made several rounds to the local Food and Civil Supplies office for the next three months. But the clerks and officials would not even look at him, leave alone do his job or bother to tell him the status of his application. Ultimately, he filed an application under the Right to Information Act asking for the daily progress made on his application, names of the officials, who were supposed to act on his application and what action would be taken against these officials for their inaction. Within a week of filing application under the Right to Information Act, he was visited by an inspector from the Food Department, who informed him that the card had been made and he could collect it from the office. When Nannu went to collect his card next day, he was given a very warm treatment by the Food and Supply Officer (FSO), who is the head of a Circle. The FSO offered him tea and requested him to withdraw his application under the Right to Information, since his work had already been done.
What does Nannu’s example show? What impact did Nannu’s action have on officials? Ask your parents their experiences when they approach government officials to attend to their problems.
Answer:
- Nannu’s example shows that democracy allows citizens to use laws like the Right to Information Act to hold officials accountable.
- His action made the officials act quickly, finish his pending work, and even treat him respectfully.
- It proves that transparency and people’s participation can make democracy more responsive.
Leave a Reply