Chapter-7

Outcomes of Democracy

Is democracy a better form of government when compared with dictatorship or any other alternative?

Ans. yes, Democracy is better form of government because

1.    it promotes equality among citizens.

2.    it enhances the dignity of the individual

3.    it improves the quality of decision making

4.    it provides a method to resolve conflicts

5.    it allows room to correct mistakes

We all know that democracy is a better form of government when compared with other form of government. But some time we fall in dilemma ,and start questioning the credibility of democracy when some of our need is not fulfilled ,after being in democracy. And that is why it becomes necessary to analyze and compare the outcome of democracy with other form of government.

Now before going on outcome ,it is necessary to understand that democracy is just a form of government. It can only create condition for achieving something. The citizen have to take advantage of those conditions and achieve their goal.

Now while analyzing outcome of democracy we can expect hundred of things but what should  be the minimum reasonable expectation that a democracy of any place must fulfill.

The minimum reasonable expectation  are

a)People should have the right to choose their rulers and have control over them.

b)Citizens should be able to participate in decision-making that affects them all.

c)The government should be termed accountable to the citizens and responsive to the needs and expectations of the citizens.

d) A democratic government should be legitimate government

If you wanted to measure the democracy on the basis of above expectations then you should  look for the following things ,whether these things are practiced in democracy or not.

A) Regular ,free and fair election

b)Open public debate on major policies and legislation

c)Citizen right to inform about the government and its function

Actual performance –

It has greater success in holding regular and free elections and setting up conditions for open public debate.  But does not provide fair chance to everyone and in subjecting every decision to public debate.

Democratic governments do not have a very good record when it comes to sharing information with citizens.  But still compared to non-democracies they are better in this respect.

Democracies often frustrate the needs of the people and often ignore the demands of a majority of its population. They ignore the needs and demands of a majority of its population. They are corrupted also but even non democracies are not less corrupt.

On the above criteria ,you may not be satisfy with the result of  democracy ,but it is sure that ,so far a democracy has gone to fulfill these criteria is way ahead from other form of government.

And in the criteria of legitimate government , democracy is certainly better than its alternative. Because a democratic  government is people own government. There is an overwhelming support for the idea of democracy all over the world. The accompanying evidence from South Asia shows, the support exists in countries with democratic regimes as well as countries without democratic regimes. People wish to be ruled by representatives elected by them. They also believe that democracy is suitable for their country. Democracy’s ability to generate its own support is itself an outcome that cannot be ignored

You may ask that ,Is the democratic government efficient? Is it effective? Because in a non democratic government decision taking is very fast.

         Yes, other form of government may take decisions very fast. But it may take decisions which 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.

Economic growth and development (Economic outcome)

Dictatorships have slightly higher rate of economic growth

Economic development depends upon several other factors – population, global situation, cooperation from other countries, economic policies.

Differences in the rates of economic development between less developed countries with dictatorships and democracies are negligible.

Conclusion - Democracy is not a guarantee of economic development. But we can expect democracy not to lag behind dictatorships in this respect. When we find such significant difference in the rates of economic growth between countries under dictatorship and democracy, it is better to prefer democracy as it has several other positive outcomes

Have democracies promoted economic growth and development?

If we consider all democracies and dictatorships in 50 years between 1950 and 2000,we find that dictatorships have a slightly higher rate of economic development. Moreover economic growth is dependent on several factors such as: -the country’s population size, global situation, co-operation from other countries, economic priorities adopted by the country etc. So we cannot say that democracy can guarantee economic development but democracy will not lag behind dictatorships in this respect.

Reduction of inequality and poverty (Economic outcome)

·         Democracy is based on political equality. But along with this we can see economic inequality growing.

·         A small number of ultra-rich enjoy a highly disproportionate share of wealth and incomes and their share in total income of the country is increasing..

·         On the other hand the income of poor is declining. Sometimes they find it difficult to meet their basic needs of life, such as food, clothing, house, education and health.

·         Though poor constitute a large proportion of voters, yet the democratic governments are not keen to take up the question of poverty  The situation is much worse in some other countries.

Accommodation of social diversity (Social outcome)

How democracy  accommodate diversities

# Democracies develop a procedure to conduct their competition which reduces tension among them

# The social differences are respected in democracies and some mechanism is evolved to negotiate the differences

Conditions to achieve the above outcome

# Democracy is not just rule by majority but also takes minority’s view. The majority always needs to work with the minority

# Rule by majority should not be rule by majority community in terms of religion or caste or linguistic group. Democracy allows every citizen to be in majority at some point of time

Dignity and freedom of the citizens

Democracy respects all the individuals equally. The passion for respect and freedom are the basis of democracy.

Instances

Dignity of women –

Long struggles against male dominated societies have created some sensitivity to respect and treat women equally.

It becomes easier for women now to wage a struggle against what is now unacceptable legally and morally.

In a non-democratic set up, this unacceptability would not have legal basis because the principle of individual freedom and dignity would not have the legal and moral force there.

Caste discrimination –

The claims of disadvantaged and discriminated castes for equal status and dignity have been strengthened.

Caste based inequalities are still practiced in our society but it lacks legal and moral foundations.

It is the recognition that makes ordinary citizens value their democratic right.

People’s demand for more benefits –

Most distinctive about democracy is that its examination never gets over. As democracy passes one test, it produces another test. As people get some benefits of democracy, they ask for more and want to make democracy even better

Fact that people are complaining is itself a testimony to the success of democracy. This shows people’s awareness and ability to expect and look at power holders and high and mighty.

It shows the transformation of people from the status of subject into that of citizen.

The citizens believe that their votes make a difference to the way the government is run and to their own self interest.

Outcomes of Democracy: NCERT Solution

How does democracy produce an accountable, responsive and legitimate government?

Answer: The democratically elected government is answerable to people. If a government does not function as per the wishes of the people, it would lose the next elections and would be thrown out of power. Hence, it needs to be accountable to people. Similarly, the government has to be responsive to the problems and aspirations of people; otherwise people would choose the next better alternative when the opportunity comes. The government is elected by the majority of the people and hence is a legitimate government.

What are the conditions under which democracies accommodate social diversities?

Asnwer: Conflicts arising out of social diversity is not possible to be completely eliminated. Yet such conflicts are kept at the minimum possible level in a democracy. Democracy builds on consensus in which interests of various sections of the society are respected and catered to. Thus, social diversities are accommodated in a democracy.

Give arguments to support or oppose the following assertions:

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

Asnwer: Although examples of many countries under dictatorship suggest that economic growth can be good in such countries, yet some democracies are also in sound economic health. Many poor countries of the past have progressed under democratic rule, although the growth may have been slow. Looking at the cost benefit analysis, it can be said the even for a poor country, democracy is always a better option rather than dictatorship to strive for becoming rich.

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

Asnwer: This is a true reality that inequality of incomes cannot be reduced between different citizens; no matter which type of government system is in place. Even the past experience of socialism in Russia and China suggest that it is almost impossible to create a society where everyone is equal in terms of economic power. The same holds true for democracy also.

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

Asnwer: While it is always prudent to spend on industries and infrastructure for better employment generation, the role of social security cannot be ignored. There are many people who are so poor and oppressed that they need some sort of help to improve their condition. Poverty eradication, health benefits and education schemes should always be in place for such people. A proper balance should be struck in spending on social security and on industries.

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

Asnwer: In theory, it is true that the formula of one person one vote negates the effect of domination and conflict. But in the real world, a society can be very complex. It is a basic instinct of people or a group of people to dominate others at the very first opportunity. Similarly, conflicts are bound to arise in the society. However, democracy minimizes the effect of such tendency to a certain extent.

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.

Asnwer: This example shows the challenge of ensuring dignity and freedom of its citizens. In this case, the judiciary interfered in the matter and the Right to Equality was enforced.

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

Asnwer: This is a challenge of economic inequality. The government can implement some bailout package so that farmers are not forced to commit suicide. This can be done through providing a minimum support price for the farm produce and some sort of loan waiver scheme for the farmers.

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

Asnwer: This is a challenge of dignity and freedom of citizens and the Right to Equality. The police department and the Judiciary can take corrective measures in this case.

1. 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

Asnwer: (d) The idea of political inequality

1. 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 the individual

c. Majority rule

d. Equal treatment before law

Asnwer: (c) Majority rule

1. 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.

Asnwer: (b) Inequalities exist in democracies