We have created “Short Notes Outcomes Of Democracy Class 10” from your NCERT book chapter 5 Outcomes of democracy.
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How Do We Assess Democracy’s Outcomes?
What People Expect
from Democracy
- Promotes equality
- Gives dignity to individuals
- Improves decision-making
- Resolves conflicts peacefully
- Allows correction of mistakes
| Keyword | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Equality | Same status for all citizens |
| Dignity | Respect for individuals |
| Outcome | What democracy produces |
| Conflict Resolution | Settling disputes peacefully |
| Decision-making | Process of choosing actions |
The Main Dilemma
- People support democracy in principle.
- But many are unhappy with how it works in real life.
- So we must examine its outcomes carefully
Important Point
- Democracy is a form of government,
not a guarantee of all solutions. - It only creates conditions for citizens to achieve goals.
Accountable, Responsive And Legitimate Government
Accountable Government
- Right to choose rulers.
- Control over rulers.
- People’s participation in decisions.
- Government accountable to citizens.
- Follows procedures before decisions.
- Transparency → citizens can check how decisions were made.
- Mechanisms for citizens to question and hold govt accountable.
A: To produce a government that is accountable to the citizens and responsive to their needs/expectations.
A: The right to choose their rulers and to have control over them.
A: A citizen has the right and the means to examine the process of decision making to ensure correct procedures were followed.
A: Because following procedures makes its decisions both more acceptable to the people and more effective.
| A: 1. Regular, free and fair elections. 2. Open public debate. 3. Citizens’ right to information. |
Responsive Government
- Responds to needs and expectations.
- Decisions take more time due to discussion.
- Slow process → more acceptable & effective decisions.
- Democracies often fail to meet needs and ignore majority demands.
- Corruption exists, but non-democracies are not less corrupt.
A: They do not have to bother about deliberation in assemblies or worry about majorities and public opinion.
A: The idea of deliberation and negotiation.
A: Being attentive to the needs and demands of the people and being largely free of corruption.
| A: There is nothing to show that non-democracies are less corrupt or more sensitive to the people. |
Efficiency Debate
- Non-democracies: quick decisions, no debate.
- Quick decisions may be unacceptable to people.
- Democracies: slow but better decisions due to procedure.
- Time cost is worth the effectiveness.
Democratic Practices
- Regular, free, fair elections.
- Open public debate on policies.
- Right to information about govt work.
- Democracies: good at free elections & debates.
- Weak in fair chances for all and sharing information.
Legitimate Government
- Democracy = people’s own government.
- May be slow, inefficient, not always clean, but legitimate.
- Strong public support for democracy everywhere.
- People want elected representatives.
- Democracy can generate its own support.
A: Democratic government is a legitimate government.
A: Because it is people’s own government.
A: Democracy’s ability to generate its own support.
| A: People wish to be ruled by representatives elected by them. |
| Keyword | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Right to choose rulers | Citizens elect their leaders. |
| Accountability | Govt answerable to people. |
| Transparency | People can check decision process. |
| Public debate | Open discussion on laws/policies. |
| Right to information | Access to govt functioning. |
| Responsive govt | Acts on people’s needs. |
| Legitimate govt | Accepted as people’s own govt. |
| Deliberation | Discussion before decisions. |
| Democratic regime | Rule by elected leaders. |
| Non-democratic regime | Rule without elections. |
Economic Growth And Development
Democracy and Development Expectation
- Democracies are expected to produce development.
- Many democracies did not meet this expectation.
Growth Comparison
(1950–2000)
- Dictatorships showed slightly higher economic growth.
- Democracy’s lower growth rate is a concern.
Why Growth Differs
- Economic development depends on many factors:
- Population size
- Global situation
- Cooperation from other countries
- Economic priorities
- Not only does the political system decides development.
Democracies vs Dictatorships
in Poor Countries
- In less developed countries, the growth difference is negligible.
- Democracy is not a guarantee of economic development.
- But democracies generally do not lag behind dictatorships.
Why Prefer Democracy
- Even with small growth differences, democracy is better.
- Democracy has other positive outcomes beyond growth.
| Keyword | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Economic development | Growth depending on factors like population, global situation, cooperation, priorities. |
| Economic growth rate | Speed of increase in a country’s production. |
| Dictatorship | Non-democratic rule; slightly higher growth (1950–2000). |
| Democracy | Elected govt; not always higher growth. |
| Less developed countries | Poor nations where growth difference is small. |
| Positive outcomes | Other benefits of democracy beyond economic growth. |
A: That democracies are expected to produce development (in addition to good governments).
A: Many democracies did not fulfill this expectation in practice.
A: Dictatorships had a slightly higher rate of economic growth.
A: No. Economic development depends on several factors (e.g., population size, global situation, cooperation, economic priorities).
A: The difference is negligible.
A: No, we cannot say that.
A: We can expect democracy not to lag behind dictatorships.
| A: It is better to prefer democracy because it has several other positive outcomes (beyond economic growth). |
Reduction Of Inequality And Poverty
Expectation from Democracies
- To reduce economic disparities.
- Growth should lead to better life for all.
Political vs Economic Equality
- Democracies ensure political equality → equal vote for all.
- But economic inequalities keep rising.
Rising Inequality
- Ultra-rich have a disproportionate share of wealth.
- Their share of total income is increasing.
- People at the bottom:
- Very little to depend on.
- Declining incomes.
- Struggle for basic needs → food, clothing, housing, education, health.
Democracies and Inequality
- Democracies are not very successful in reducing inequality.
- Poor people form a large voter group, yet poverty issues get less attention.
Poverty in Other Countries
- Bangladesh → more than half the population lives in poverty.
- Many poor countries are dependent on rich countries for food.
| Keyword | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Economic disparity | Unequal distribution of wealth. |
| Political equality | Equal voting rights for all citizens. |
| Economic inequality | Rising gap between rich and poor. |
| Ultra-rich | Small group holding huge share of national wealth. |
| Basic needs | Food, clothing, shelter, education, health. |
| Poverty | Lack of income and essential resources. |
| Dependence on rich countries | Needing other nations even for food supplies. |
A: That they will reduce economic disparities (inequality and poverty).
A: Democracy is based on political equality: all individuals have equal weight in electing representatives.
A: We find growing economic inequalities.
A: A small number of ultra-rich enjoy a highly disproportionate share of wealth and incomes, and their share is increasing.
A: They have very little to depend upon, their incomes have been declining, and they struggle to meet basic needs (food, clothing, house, education, health).
A: No, democracies do not appear to be very successful in reducing economic inequalities.
A: Because the poor constitute a large proportion of voters, and no party would want to lose their votes.
A: No, they do not appear to be as keen to address the question of poverty as one would expect.
Accommodation Of Social Diversity
Expectation from Democracy
- Democracy should produce a harmonious social life.
- Democracies accommodate social divisions.
- Example: Belgium successfully negotiated ethnic differences.
How Democracy Handles Diversity
- Democracies create procedures for competition among groups.
- These procedures reduce tensions and prevent violence.
- Conflicts cannot be permanently resolved, but differences can be respected.
- Democracy is best suited to negotiate differences.
Non-Democratic Regimes
- Often ignore or suppress social differences.
- Lack mechanisms to handle divisions and conflicts.
Conditions for Social Harmony in Democracy
Condition 1:
Majority must
work with minority
- Democracy is not just majority rule.
- Majority must work with minority to represent general interest.
- Majority and minority are not permanent.
Condition 2:
Majority rule ≠ Rule of majority community
- Majority should not be fixed by religion, race, or language.
- Majority should change from issue to issue or election to election.
- Every citizen must have a chance to be in majority.
- If people are barred from majority due to birth, democracy stops being accommodative.
| Keyword | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Social diversity | Differences among groups (ethnic, religious, linguistic). |
| Harmonious social life | Peace and respect among groups. |
| Procedures for competition | Democratic methods to manage group differences. |
| Majority rule | Decision based on the side with more support. |
| Minority | Group with fewer numbers or influence. |
| Accommodative democracy | Democracy that allows all groups fair participation. |
| Suppression of differences | Ignoring or forcefully controlling social divisions. |
A: Democracy should produce a harmonious social life.
A: They usually develop a procedure to conduct their competition, which reduces the possibility of tensions becoming explosive or violent.
A: Their ability to handle social differences, divisions, and conflicts.
A: They often turn a blind eye to or suppress them.
A: Learn to respect these differences and evolve mechanisms to negotiate them.
A: 1. Majority must work with the minority (majority/minority opinions are not permanent). 2. Rule by majority must not become rule by majority community (based on religion, race, etc.).
A: That in case of every decision or election, different persons and groups may and can form a majority.
A: If someone is barred from being in majority on the basis of birth.
Dignity And Freedom Of The Citizens
Democracy & Dignity
- Promotes dignity and freedom better than any other system.
- Conflicts arise when people don’t get respect.
- Respect + freedom = core of democracy.
Old Social Inequalities
- Long histories of domination make equality hard.
Dignity of Women
- Societies were male-dominated.
- Women’s long struggles → awareness of equal treatment.
- Recognition helps women fight injustice.
- Non-democracies lack legal basis for such rights.
Caste Equality
- Democracy strengthened equal status + opportunity for disadvantaged castes.
- Inequalities exist but lack moral/legal support.
People’s Expectations
- Expectations become tests for democracy.
- As demands get fulfilled, new demands arise.
Complaints = Success of Democracy
- Complaints show awareness and ability to question power.
- People feel their vote matters.
| Keyword | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Dignity | Respect for individuals. |
| Freedom | Ability to act freely. |
| Male-dominated | Society where men held power. |
| Caste inequality | Unequal caste-based treatment. |
| Equal opportunity | Fair chance for all groups. |
| Citizen | Person who can question power. |
A: Democracy stands much superior to any other form of government.
A: The passion for respect and freedom.
A: To recognize that all individuals are equal.
A: The principle that respect to and equal treatment of women are necessary ingredients of a democratic society.
A: The principle of individual freedom and dignity would not have the legal and moral force there.
A: It has strengthened the claims for equal status and equal opportunity.
A: That its examination never gets over; as it passes one test, it produces another.
A: The success of democracy itself, as it shows people have developed awareness and the ability to look critically at power holders.
A: It transforms people from the status of a subject into that of a citizen.
A: That their vote makes a difference to the way the government is run and to their own self-interest.
Conclusion : Short Notes Outcomes Of Democracy Class 10
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