CBSE Class 10 Social Science Outcomes Of Democracy Notes

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.

Democracy is better than others

We felt that democracy is better because it :
- Promotes equality among citizens.
- Enhance the dignity of the individual
- Improves the quality of decision making.
- Provides a method to resolve conflicts.
- Allows room to correct mistakes.
- The countries which have formal constitutions, they hold elections and form govts.
- They guarantee rights of citizens.
- Democracy solves the social and political and economic problems of the country.

Topic - 2 : Accountable responsive and Legitimate Govt.

Accountable Govt. : Democracy is a accountable govt because it is the govt. of the people and made by people and for the people. The representatives elected by the people are responsible to them. If the people are not happy with the govt they can change the leaders in coming elections.

Responsive Govt. : A citizen who wants to know if a decision was taken through the correct procedures can find this out. She has the right and the means to examine the process of decision making. This type of transparency is not available in non democratic govts.

Legitimate Govt. : Democratic govt is legitimate govt. It may be slow, less efficient, not always very responsive or clean. But a democratic govt is people’s own govt’s can not ignore the needs of people. So people wish to be ruled by representatives elected by them.

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
• Reservation of jobs for backward classes
•  Social security – old age pension, free medical aid, subsidized housing, more employment opportunities.

5) Accommodation of social diversity –

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.

Facts that Matter

1. Democracy is formed by two Greek words ‘‘demos’’ and “kratia”. “Demos” means people and “kratia” means the government. Democracy, thus, means “rule by the people”. In a democratic set-up, every citizen has the right to take part in the decision making process. It is a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system.

2. Democracy is a better form of government when compared with dictatorship or any other alternatives because it promotes equality among citizens, enhances the dignity of the individuals, improves the quality of decision-making, etc.

3. Democracy is just a form of government. It can only create conditions for achieving something. The citizens have to take advantage of those conditions and achieve those goals.

4. The most basic 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.

5. Some people think that democracy produces less effective government. It is true that non-democratic rulers are very quick and efficient in decision-making and implementation. It is because they do not bother about deliberation in assemblies or worry about majorities.

6. Democracy is based on the idea of deliberation and negotiation. So, some delay is bound to take place. But because it has followed procedures, its decisions may be both more acceptable to the people and more effective.

7. Democracy ensures that decision-making will be based on norms and procedures. A citizen who wants to know if a decision was taken through the correct procedures can find this out. This is not seen in a non-democratic government.

8. There are some shortcomings in a democratic form of government. For example, most democracies fall short of elections that provide a fair chance to everyone and in subjecting every decision to public debate. But it is much better than any non-democratic regime.

9. A democratic government is attentive to the needs and demands of the people and is largely free of corruption. It is a legitimate government. It is people’s own government.

10. These are the reasons why people wish to be ruled by representatives elected by them. They believe that democracy is suitable for their country.

11. But in matters of economic development, not all the democracies get developed because of various factors like population, lack of basic infrastructure etc. If you consider all democracies and all dictatorships for the fifty years between 1950 and 2000, dictatorships have slightly higher rate of economic growth. The inability of democracy to achieve higher economic development worries us. But this is not a sole reason to reject democracy. The difference in the rates of economic development between less developed countries with dictatorships and democracies is negligible. Overall, we cannot say that democracy is a guarantee of economic development. Yes, we can expect democracy not to lag behind dictatorship in this respect.

12. Democracy does not appear to be successful in reducing economic inequalities. A small number of ultra rich enjoy a highly disproportionate share of wealth and income. Their share in total income is increasing. People at the bottom of society have to lead a very tough life.

13. But we find accommodation of social diversity in a democracy. No society can fully and permanently resolve conflicts among different groups. But we can certainly learn to respect these differences and we can also evolve mechanisms to negotiate the differences. Democracy is best suited to produce this outcome. Non-democratic regimes often turn a blind eye to or suppress internal social differences. Ability to handle social differences, divisions and conflicts is thus a definite plus point of democratic regimes.

14. Democracy supports dignity and freedom of the citizens. Every man wants to get respect from fellow persons in the society. A lot of conflicts take place among human beings because some feel they are not treated with due respect. The passion for respect and freedom are the basis of democracy. Democracy in India has strengthened the claims of the disadvantaged and discriminated castes for equal status and equal opportunity. 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. That is why when we ask people about the way democracy functions, they will always come up with more expectations, and many complaints. The fact that people are complaining is itself a testimony to the success of democracy. Overall, we can say that democracy is better than dictatorship or monarchy or military rule.

Words that Matter

1. Democracy is formed by two Greek words ‘‘demos’’ and “kratia”. “Demos” means people and “kratia” means the government. Democracy, thus, means “rule by the people”.
2. Legitimate government: Legally chosen government is legitimate government.
3. Dictatorship: Under dictatorship all the powers are vested in a single person or in group of people.
4. Transparency: People have the right and the means to examine the process of decision making. This is known as transparency through which everything can be clearly seen.
5. Accountable government: The government elected by the people and therefore responsible to them.
6. Responsive government: The government in which people have the right to know the decisions and have the right and the means to examine the process of decision-making.

Important cocepts

1. Democracy : Democracy is a form of government in which people elect their representatives. In this way 'It is the government, of the people, for the people and by the people'.
2. Dictatorship : Dictatorship refers to a form of government in which the ruler enjoys absolute power without any constitutional limitations.
3. Majority : Majority refers to greater part or larger in number; i.e., more than half.
4. Minority : Minority refers to smaller part or less in number, i.e., less than half.
5. Legitimate government : A legitimate government is one under which law and action of the government are revealed to the people and there is transparency in the working of the government.
6. Negotiation: Negotiation refers to a discussion with an objective to reach a state of agreement.
7.Accountability: Accountability refers to the state of being responsible or liable for the actions taken. A democratic government is accountable to the public for its actions.
8. Disparity : Disparity refers to inequality or social difference.
9. Social diversity : Social diversity refers to existence of different groups based on caste, religion, race, opinions, etc.
10. Dignity : Dignity refers to the state of being worthy of honour or respect.
11. Atrocities : Atrocities refer to extreme heinous cruelty, which includes physical violence.

ONE MARK QUESTIONS

Question. What is a homogeneous society?
Answer : A society that has similar kinds of people, especially where there are no significant ethnic differences. For example, Germany and Sweden.

Question. Which University has recently installed the statues of Tommie Smith and John Carlos in its campus?
Answer : In 2005, the San Jose State University installed a 20-foot high sculpture representing the protest by Tommie Smith and John Carlos.

Question. Highlight the case of Northern Irelands in reference to cross-cutting of social differences.
or Highlight the case of Northern Ireland with reference to overlapping of social differences.
Answer : In Northern Ireland, people are predominantly Christian but divided between Catholic and Protestants. Class and religion overlap with each other. Thus creating a possibility of deep social divisions and tensions. If you are Catholic, you are also more likely to be poor and you may have suffered a history of discrimination. The result is that Catholics and Protestants have conflicts in Northern Ireland.

Question. Give one example to show overlapping social differences create possibilities of deep social divisions and tensions.
Answer : Catholics and Protestants have had conflicts in Northern Ireland.

Question. Which group of countries did face the problem of social division?
Answer : Belgium, Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom.

Question. Who are represented by the term ‘African-American’ ?
Answer : The descendants of Africa who were brought into America as slaves between the 17th century and early 19th century.

THREE MARKS QUESTIONS

Question. How is overlapping differences different from crosscutting differences?
Answer : a. Social differences which overlap other differences are known as overlapping differences, while when social differences cross-cut one another, it is known as cross-cutting differences. b. Cross-cutting social differences are easier to accommodate, while overlapping differences are not. c. Overlapping social differences create possibilities of deep social divisions and tensions, while crosscutting differences do not usually lead to conflicts.

Question. Explain the two basis of social differences with examples. or Explain with example different, forms of social differences. [CBSE 2011] or Describe any three origins of social differences.
Answer : Different forms of social differences: a. Social differences are based on accident of birth. For example, people around us are male and female, they are tall and short, have different kinds of complexions, or have different physical abilities or disabilities. b. Some differences are based on choices, e.g., some people are atheists. They don’t believe in God or any religion. Some people choose to follow a religion other than the one in which they were born.

Question. Explain overlapping of social differences with an example. or “Overlapping social differences create possibilities of deep social divisions and tensions.” Explain.
Answer : a. When one social difference overlaps another difference, it is known as overlapping of social differences. b. Overlapping of social differences between Blacks and Whites became a social division in the United States. These differences became the main factor for the Black Power Movement. c. Even in India, Dalits face discrimination and injustice. These kinds of situations produce social divisions which are harmful for democracy and weaken the basic foundation of democracy.

Question. Why do some people think that it’s not correct to politicize social divisions? Give three reasons.
Answer : They think that it is not correct to politicize social divisions because: a. It can make social divisions into political division and lead to conflict, violence or even disintegration of a country. b. In Northern Ireland, there has been, a violent and bitter ethno-political conflict for many years. c. It caused disintegration of Yugoslavia into six independent countries.

Question. Describe the factors which decide the outcomes of the politics of social division? [CBSE 2012, 2011] or What are the three factors that determine the outcome of social divisions on politics? Explain.
Answer : Factors that determine the outcome of politics of social divisions: a. As social groups view their identities to be exclusive and superior, it becomes difficult to accommodate them. b. It depends upon the type of demands raised by the political leaders on behalf of a community. It is easier to accommodate demands that are within the constitutional framework and are not at the cost of another community. c. Reaction of the government to the demands of different communities determine the outcome. If the rulers are willing to share power and accommodate the reasonable demands of minority community, divisions become less threatening for the country.

Question. Distinguish between Civil Rights Movement (1954- 1968) and The Black Power Movement (1966-1975) in the USA.
Answer : a. Civil Rights Movement: (1954-1968) : Refers to a set of events and reform movements aimed at legally abolishing racial discrimination against African- Americans. Led by Martin Luther King Junior, this movement practised non¬violent methods. b. The Black Power Movement: This Movement emerged in 1966 and lasted till 1975, which was more militant anti-racist movement, advocating even violence if necessary, to end racism in the US.

Question. How were Carlos, Smith and Norman penalized for their action at the 1968 Mexico Olympics?
Answer : a. The International Olympic Committee took back the medals of Carlos and Smith. b. There was a severe criticism of Carlos and Smith in the USA. c. Norman was not included in the Australian team for the next Olympics.

Question. Taking the example of Carlos, Smith and Norman, explain how social differences divide similar people from one another but also unite very different people.
Answer :  Social differences divide similar people from one another, but they also unite different people. People belonging to different social groups share differences and similarities cutting across the boundaries of their groups. People belonging to the same religion may feel different. Yet people from different religions may have similar views. a. For example, Carlos and Smith were similar in one way because both were African-Americans and thus different from Norman who was white. b. But they were all similar in other way that they were all athletes who stood against racial discrimination.

FIVE MARKS QUESTIONS

Question. How do social division affect politics? Give two examples.
or Explain with examples how social division affect politics? [CBSE 2011 ] or How do social divisions affect politics? Explain.
Answer : Social divisions affect politics in both negative and positive ways: Negative ways: a. In Northern Ireland, there has been a violent and bitter ethno-political conflict for many years. Northern Ireland population was divided into Protestant (53%) and Roman Catholics (44%). The Catholics were represented by Nationalist parties who wanted to be unified with the Republic of Ireland. In contrast Protestants were represented by Unionists who wanted to remain with the UK. Hundreds of civilians, militants and security forces were killed in the fight between unionists and nationalists. b. Disintegration of Yugoslavia into six independent countries due to ethnic and religious difference is another example. Positive ways: : Every expression of social division in politics does not lead to disasters because wherever social divisions exist, they are reflected in politics. In many countries, there are parties that focus only on one community, e.g., DM.K., AIADMK and use in India.

Question. Politics and social divisions must not be allowed to mix. Substantiate this statement with five arguments.
Answer : a. Democracy involves competition among various political parties. Their competition tends to divide any society. If they start competing in terms of some existing social divisions, it can make social division into political division and lead to conflict, violence or even disintegration of a country. b. Hundreds of civilians, militants and security forces were killed in the fight between Unionists and Nationalists and between the security forces of the UK and the Nationalists. It was only in 1998, that the UK government and the Nationalists reached a peace treaty after which the nationalists suspended their armed struggle. c. Political competition along religious and ethnic lines led to the disintegration of Yugoslavia into six independent countries. d. In a democracy, it is only natural that political parties would talk about the social divisions, make different promises to different communities, look after due representation of various communities and make policies to redress the grievances of the disadvantaged communities. e. Social divisions affect voting in most countries. People from one community tend to prefer some party to others. In many countries, there are parties that focus only on one community.

Question. Identify the determinants of the outcomes of the politics of social division and explain them.
Answer : The three determinants of the outcomes of the politics of social division: a. People’s perception: If people view their identities to be exclusive and superior, it becomes difficult to accommodate them. , b. Role of community and culture: It depends upon how political leaders raise demands on behalf of a community. It is easier to accommodate demands that are within the constitutional framework and are not at the cost of another community. c. The role of political party and government : Reaction of the government to the demands of different communities also determines the outcome. If the rulers are willing to share power and accommodate the reasonable demands of a minority community, social divisions become less threatening for the country.

Question. Do you think that social divisions are always dangerous? Explain.
Answer : No, we do not think that social divisions are always dangerous because: a. In a democracy, political expression of social divisions is normal and can be healthy. b. It allows various disadvantaged and marginal social groups to express their grievances and get the government to attend to these. c. Expression of various kinds of social division in politics .

Important Questions NCERT Class 10 Social Science Chapter 7 Outcomes of Democracy

Question. Discuss any three factors that describe the successful working of democracy in India.
Answer : Factor for the success of democracy is India:
(i) Transparency of functioning with implementation of RTI Act.
(ii) It provides legitimacy as regular elections are held in India.
(iii) Government accommodates social diversity.
(iv) It provides dignity and freedom to the citizens with many fundamental rights.

Question. “Democracies lead to peaceful and harmoniums life among citizens.” Justify this statement.
Answer : Democracies lead to peaceful and harmonious life among citizens:
Democracy provides the opportunity to negotiate the differences and decide on what is better for everyone. Non-democratic regimes usually just ignore the internal problems or suppress it. Democracy ensures inclusion of every group including minorities and its interests in the decision making.
Democracy is considered better because :
(a) It promotes equality among citizens.
(b) It recognizes and 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 room to correct mistakes.

Question. “Democracy is seen to be good in principle but felt to be not so good in practice.” Justify the statement.
Answer : Democracy is seen to be good in principles but not so good in practice because of the following reasons :
(i) The decision making process in democracy is time-taking.
(ii) The tyranny of the majority sometimes over rides the minority.
(iii) Corruption and red-tapism often tarnishes the functioning of democracies.
(iv) An illiterate and uniformed electorate fails to give itself a legitimate and accountable government.
(v) The role of dynastic politics dominates political cultures which goes against the very concept of democracy.

Question. How is demoracy accountable and responsive to the needs and expectations of the citizens? Analyse.
Answer : Democracy is accountable and responsive to the needs and expectations of the citizens because :
(i) In a democracy, people have the right to choose their representatives and the people have control over them.
(ii) Citizens have the right to participate in decision making that affects them. This ensures that the working of the government is transparent.
(iii) Everybody expects the government to be attentive to the needs and expectations of itself.
(iv) It is expected that the democratic government develops mechanisms for citizens to hold itself accountable.
(v) The opposition parties can also question and criticize the government policies. They keep a check on the ruling party and make sure that it does not misuse the power.

Question. “Transparency is the most important feature of democracy.” Analyse.
Answer :Transparency is the most important feature of democracy :
(i) Democracy ensures that decision-making will be based on certain norms and procedures.
(ii) So, a citizen who wants to know if a decision was taken through correct procedures can find this out by filing R.T.I.
(iii) The citizens have the right and the means to examine the process of decision-making. This is known as transparency.

Question. Explain any three merits of democratic governments over the dictatorship.
Answer : Advantages of Democracy :
(i) Chief merit of democracy lies in the fact that it safeguards the interests of the people. Real power lies in the hands of the people who exercise it by the representatives elected by them and who are responsible to them. The social, economic and political interests of the individuals are served better under this system.
(ii) Democracy is based on the principle of equality. All members of the state are equal in the eyes of law. All enjoy equal social, political and economic rights and state cannot discriminate among citizens on the basis of caste, religion, sex, or property. All have equal right to choose their government.
(iii) Democracy is known for its stability, firmness and efficiency. The tenure of the elected representatives is fixed. They form a stable government because it is based on public support. The administration is conducted with a sense of responsibility.

Demerits of Dictatorship :
(a) In dictatorship a very select few rule over the country and they are nor answerable to the public. There is no chance of correcting a wrong policy or a decision.
(b) Since people have no say in the government functioning there is large scale dissatisfaction. The rulers generally use suppressive and coercive measures to keep the population from revolting.

Question. Explain any three weaknesses of democracy.
Answer :  (i) Democracies take more time in decision- making.
(ii) Democracies fall short in elections that provide a fair chance to everyone and do not subject every decision to public debate.
(iii) The tales of corruption are enough to convince that democracies are not free of evil at all.

Question. How democracies have been able to reduce poverty? Elaborate. 
Answer : (i) Democracies are not very successful in reducing economic inequalities. Even when majority of voters constitute the poor, yet democratically elected government do not appear to be as keen to address the issue of poverty as one would expect them to.
(ii) Situation is much worse in some of the countries where people depend upon rich countries for food supplies.
(iii) But even then democracy is favoured because it provides the opportunity to change the rulers and the people have dignity.

Question. Describe the favorable condition generally provided to people under a democratic rule.
Answer :  Favorable conditions generally provided to people under a democratic rule are :
(i) It promotes dignity to citizens irrespective of caste, creed and religion.
(ii) It ensures freedom of the individual to express himself or herself.

Question. “Democracy stands much superior of any other form of government in promoting dignity and freedom of individual.” Justify this statement.
Answer :  Dignity and Freedom of the Citizens : Democracy has emerged as the most popular form of government in promoting dignity and freedom of the individual. It does so -
(a) By extending legal and political equality to every citizen including women, to the weaker sections of society and to the marginalized.
(b) By guaranteeing fundamental rights to all.
(c) Giving adequate representation to the minorities and protection through various safeguards.
(d) This gives political voice to the marginalized and increases their democratic consciousness.
(e) It enables women, lower casts and other disadvantaged groups to wage their struggle for justice, fairness with a legal backing.

Question. On the basis of which values will it be a fair expectation that democracy should produce a harmonious social life? Explain.
Answer : A democratic government must safeguard the fundamental rights of every citizen. This is the basis of a harmonious social life. The values that must be followed are :
(i) The rulers elected by the people must take all the major decisions and be responsible to them.
(ii) Elections must offer a choice and fair opportunity to the people to change the current government.
(iii) This choice and opportunity should be available to all the people equally.
(iv) The government must be limited by basic rules of the constitution and citizen’s rights.

Question. “Democracy is more effective than its other alternatives.” Justify the statement.
Answer :  Democracy is more effective than its other alternatives :
(i) Democracy promotes equality among citizens, and the economic benefits are broad based.
(ii) It enhances the dignity of the individual.
(iii) It also improves the quality of decision- making.
(iv) It provides a method to resolve conflicts.
(v) It gives room to correct mistakes.
(vi) Democratic government is a legitimate government.
(vii) Democracy’s ability to generate its own support is itself an outcome that cannot be ignored.

Question. Which one of the following features is common to most of the democracies?
(a) They have formal constitution.
(b) They hold regular election.
(c) They have political parties.
(d) All the above
Answer : (d) all of the above

Question. Describe the importance of democratic government as an accountable and legitimate government.
Answer :  Democratic government can be said to be accountable and legitimate government. The following reasons can be ascribed to it:
Accountable government :
(i) When people choose their representatives, they are expected to be accountable, this is the basic outcome of democracy.
(ii) The citizens have the right and also the means to examine the process of decision making, that is high level of accountability is expected.
(iii) The government is expected to practice regular, free and fair elections and open discussions on important issues.
(iv) Democratic government can apparently be less efficient than a non-democratic government. This happens because a non-democratic government does not need to arrive at consensus among a diverse set of people. Democracy functions on the basis of deliberation and negotiation and hence decisions are often delayed. But this does not mean that a democratic government is less efficient.

Legitimate government :

(i) A democratic government is people’s own government. That is why there is an overwhelming support for the idea of democracy all over the world and there is the element of legitimacy attached to it.
(ii) 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 support for itself is an outcome that cannot be ignored.
(iii) Though there are many reports of democracies ignoring the demands of people and there are routine tales of corruption but yet chances of governments improving only exists in democratic setup.

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

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?

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