Civics Chapter 7 Outcomes of Democracy - Notes & Study Material

New Terms

Dictatorship: Under dictatorship, all the powers are vested in a single person or in a group of people.

Legitimate government: Legally chosen government is called a legitimate government.

Transparency: To examine the process of decision making in a democracy.

Accountable government: The government elected by the people and therefore responsible to them.

Responsive government: The government in which people have the right to know the process of decision-making.

Economic Development: It is the development of economic wealth of countries, regions or communities for the well-being of their inhabitants.

Dictatorship: A form of government in which one person or a small group possesses absolute power without effective constitutional limitations.

Economic Inequality: It is the difference found in various measures of the economic well-being among individuals in a group, among groups in a population, or among countries.

Social diversity: It is all of the ways that people within a single culture are set apart from each other. Elements of social diversity can include ethnicity, lifestyle, religion, language, tastes and preferences.

Social divisions: When social differences amongst different communities increase and one community is discriminated because of the differences, it becomes a social division. For example, the social difference between the upper castes and lower castes becomes a social division as the dalits are generally poor and face injustice and discrimination.

The most basic outcome of democracy is to provide political and social quality to the citizens. The democracy is expected to produce a government that works according to the needs and expectations of citizens.

Important Notes

Contents

1 Assessment of Outcomes of Democracy
2 Democracy is considered to be successful when
3 The expected Outcomes of Democracy :
4 Political Outcomes
- 4.1 Political Outcomes of Democracy :
- 4.2 Accountable, Responsive and Legitimate Government
5 Transparency and Decision-Making
6 Legitimate Government
7 Economic Outcomes
8 Reduction of Inequality and Poverty
9 Democracies are based on political equality :
10 Social Outcomes
11 Accommodation of Social Diversity
12 Democracy accommodates social diversities:
13 Dignity and Freedom of the Citizens
14 Dignity and Freedom of Women
15 Dignity and Freedom of Disadvantaged Groups

Assessment of Outcomes of Democracy

The expected and actual outcomes of democracy can be assessed by quality of government, economic well-being, inequality, social differences, freedom and dignity. After assessing outcomes of democracy, it can be recognised that democracy is a form of government which can create conditions for achieving its goal. The citizens can take advantage of those conditions and achieve their goals.

The Democratic Governments are better than other forms of Governments because

(i) Democratic governments have a formal Constitution, while it is not the case in other forms of governments.

(ii) They hold regular elections, while it is not the case in other forms of governments.

(iii) They have political parties, whereas there is no such thing in other forms of governments.

(iv) They guarantee rights to citizens, while it is not the case in the other forms of governments.

(v) Such governments allow room to correct mistakes, while it is not there in the other forms of governments.

(vi) Such government accommodates social diversities, while no such thing in other forms of governments.

Democracy is considered to be successful when

(i) The rulers elected by the people take all major decisions and not the rich and powerful.

(ii) The elections offer a free choice and opportunity to the people.

(iii) The choice available to all the people is based on political equality.

Merits of Democracy : 

(i) Democracy assures equality in every sphere of life like political, social and economic.

(ii) It upholds basic individual liberties like freedom of speech, etc.

(iii) Due obedience to laws.

The factors which are responsible for the successful working of democracy in India :

(i) In India, there is an autonomous Election Commission. Free and fair elections are held periodically. The people elect their representatives through the election procedure.

(ii) The local governments take care of the issues pertaining to their regions. The Panchayati Raj system enables people to participate in governance.

(iii) Freedom of press and media enables the people to be well informed about the governmental activities.

(iv) In India, there are a large number of political parties with different bases. They compete with each other to get public support. They participate in the democratic process.

(v) In India, an independent judiciary is very important for the success of democracy.

The expected Outcomes of Democracy :

(i) A government that is chosen and accountable to the people is called democratic government.

(ii) A government that is responsive to the needs of the people.

(iii) Economic growth and development reducing all forms of inequality and end of poverty.

(iv) Accommodating all social diversities.

(v) Ensuring the dignity and freedom of the individuals.

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.

(iii) The citizen has the right and the means to examine the process of decision-making. This is known as transparency.

It is true some people think that democracy produces a less effective government because :

(i) Non-democratic rulers do not have to bother about deliberation in assemblies or worry about majorities and public opinion.

(ii) They can be very quick and efficient in decision-making and implementation.

(iii) But democracy is based on the idea of deliberation and negotiation. So, some delay is bound to take place.

(iv) Most democracies fall short of elections that provide a fair chance to everyone.

(v) Democratic governments do not have a very good record when it comes to sharing information with citizens.

(vi) Democracies often frustrate the needs of the people and often ignore the demands of a majority of their population

Political Outcomes

The political outcomes of democracy are to produce accountable, responsive and legitimate government.

Political Outcomes of Democracy :

(i) Right to the citizens to choose their leaders and keep a check on them.

(ii) If required people can participate in decision- making either directly or through indirectly or through representatives.

(iii) It produces an accountable, responsive and legitimate government.

Accountable, Responsive and Legitimate Government

In a democracy, accountable and responsive government is the one that is answerable to its citizens. It is responsible for making all decisions on behalf of its citizens and according to their needs and expectations.

Before taking any decision, it is the responsibility of the government to follow procedures. If the government has made wrong decision then it has to accept and correct it immediately.

on the other hand ,non-democratic governments do not care about complains of citizens. They are also not worried about public opinions. It takes decision very fast and decisions are not acceptable to the citizens.

Therefore, the outcome of democracy is to produce a government that follows opinions procedure and is accountable to the people.

Democratic Governments in practice are accountable because : (i) It is right to expect democracy to form a government that follows procedures and is accountable to the people.

(ii) It is also expected that the democratic government develops mechanisms for citizens to take part in decision making whenever they think it as fit.

(iii) The democratic government is accountable to the people. If it ignores the will of the people, they will not elect their ruler in the next general election.

(iv) The procedures and decision-making process should be transparent for democratic government to be accountable to the people.

A democratic government can be made accountable by : 

(i) Conducting discussions and negotiations.

(ii) Ensuring transparency.

(iii) Holding regular, free and fair elections.

(iv) Having open public debates.

A democracy produces an accountable, responsive and legitimate government as

(i) People have the right to choose their rulers and have control over the rulers.

(ii) Whenever possible and necessary, they should participate in decision-making on issues that affect them all.

(iii) Democracy produces a government, which is accountable to the citizens.

(iv) Democracy is based on the idea of liberation and negotiation.

(v) Decision-making is based on norms and procedures and its transparency.

Transparency and Decision-Making

Transparency means openness, communication and accountability of the government.

It means that government should be operated in such a way that it is easy for citizens to see what actions are performed while decision-making. The democratic government should develop mechanisms for citizens to hold the government accountable and mechanism for citizens to take part in decision making whenever they think it is possible.

Transparency is considered missing in non-democratic government. But in reality, democratic governments also do not have very good record to share information of decision-making with its citizens.

Democracy can be measured by the regular, free and fair elections, open public debate on major policies and the legislation. Most democracies do not have regular elections that provide a fair chance to all in participating in public debate.

Moreover it is believed that democracy is attentive to the needs and demands of the people and is largely free of corruption. But there is nothing to prove that these two are available in democracy.

Legitimate Government

In democracy, a legitimate government is a government where all the laws of the country are equally applicable to all its citizens. In this government, people are governed without fear or favour as well. A legitimate government should be attentive to the needs and demands of the people.

A democratic government may be slow, less efficient and not always responsive but it is people’s own government. That is why, there is an overwhelming support for the idea of democracy all over the world. Thus, it is certainly a better and more legitimate form of government.

Democratic government is legitimate government are :

(i) A democratic government is called a legitimate government because it is people’s own government.

(ii) It may be slow, less efficient and not very responsive and clean, but it is people’s government.

(iii) There is overwhelming support for the idea of democracy all over the world. People of South Asia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan and Nepal have no doubt about the suitability of democracy for their own country.

(iv) People wish to be ruled by representatives elected by them. Democracy’s ability to generate its own support makes it more legitimate.

Economic Outcomes

Economic growth, development, reduction of poverty of and inequality are the prominent economic outcomes democracy.

It is expected from a government that it should bring economic growth and development. However, many democracies of the world are unable to fulfil this expectation. It is because of population size, global situation, cooperation from other countries, economic priorities, etc.

There are some significant differences between rates of economic growth among countries which are under dictatorship and democracy.

Reduction of Inequality and Poverty

Democracy is based on political equality and all individuals have equal right to choose their representative. Along with political equality there is a growing economic inequality among the individuals.

A small number of ultra-rich enjoy a highly disproportionate share of wealth and incomes. Due to this reason, their share in total income of the country is increasing. On the other hand, the income of poor is declining.

Sometimes the poor find it difficult to meet their basic needs of life, such as food, clothing, house, education and health. Poor constitute a large proportion of voters, but still the democratic governments are not serious enough to improve their conditions.

The situation is much worse in some countries. In Bangladesh, more than half of its population lives in poverty. People of poor countries are now dependent on the rich countries for food supplies.

Democracies are based on political equality :

(i) All citizens have an equal role in electing representatives.

(ii) Parallel to the process of bringing individuals into the political arena, we find growing economic inequalities.

(iii) Democracy does not appear to be very successful in reducing economic inequalities.

(iv) The ultra-rich enjoy a highly disproportionate share of wealth and income.

(v) At the bottom of the society, the people have very little to depend on.

(vi) It is difficult to meet their basic needs of life, such as food, clothing, house, education and health.

Democracy and the Economic Outcomes :

(i) Slow economic development and economic growth due to population.

(ii) Basic needs of life, such as food, clothing, shelter are difficult to achieve.

(iii) Prevalence of economic inequalities.

(iv) Poverty is still a big issue.

(v) Allocation of resources in few hands.

(vi) Unjust distribution of goods and opportunities.

Social Outcomes

The social outcomes of a democracy should be accommodating social diversity and providing dignity and freedom to the citizens.

Accommodation of Social Diversity

Democracies usually develop a procedure to accommodate various social divisions. This reduces the possibility of social tensions becoming explosive or violent. No society can fully and permanently resolve conflicts among different groups. But democracy is best to handle social differences, divisions and conflicts.

A democracy must fulfil the following two conditions in order to achieve its goal

(1) It is necessary to understand that democracy is not simply ruled by majority opinion.

The majority always needs to protect the interest of the minority, thus the government’s function is regarded as representation of general interest.

(2) It is also necessary that rule by majority does not become rule by majority community in terms of religion or race or linguistic group, etc.

Rule by majority means that in case of every decision or in case of every election, different persons and groups may and can form a majority. Thus, democracy remains only as long as every citizen has a chance of being in majority at some point of time. If someone is barred from being in majority on the basis of birth, then the democratic rule ceases to be accommodative for that person or group.

Non-democratic regimes often suppress internal social differences.

Democracy accommodates social diversities:

(i) Democracies develop a procedure to conduct their competition. This reduces the possibility of social tensions becoming explosive or violent.

(ii) No society can fully and permanently resolve conflicts among different groups. But we can certainly learn to respect these differences and can evolve a mechanism to negotiate these differences.

(iii) Ability to handle social differences, divisions and conflicts is thus a definite plus point of democratic regimes.

(iv) Example: Belgium has successfully negotiated differences among its ethnic population. This reduces the possibility of tensions.

The roles of citizens in a democracy are as follows :

(i) Citizens exercise their rights and freedoms and get benefited from the democratic setup.

(ii) They must be aware of their rights and duties.

(iii) They should be aware of the issues and problems the country is facing.

(iv) They must cooperate in maintaining law and order.

(v) People must consider other‘s needs and interests also.

Dignity and Freedom of the Citizens

Democracy stands much superior to any other form of government for promoting dignity and freedom of the individual.

Every individual wants to receive respect from fellow beings. Sometimes conflict arises among individual as they feel that they are not treated with due respect.

The passion for respect and freedom are the basis of democracy. Democracies throughout the world have recognised and achieved this (respect and freedom) in various degrees. But it is not a simple matter to recognise that all individuals are equal.

The condition under which dignity and freedom of the citizens can be promoted.

(i) To promote the dignity and freedom of the citizens, all individuals should be treated as equal. Once this principle is recognised, it becomes easier for individuals to wage a struggle against what is not acceptable legally and morally.

(ii) Claims of the disadvantaged and discriminated for equal status and equal opportunity should be strengthened. Inequalities and atrocities lack moral and legal foundations.1

Dignity and Freedom of Women

The long struggles by women have created some sensitivity today that respect and equal treatment of women are necessary for democratic societies.

But women are not always treated with respect. Once the ‘respect’ is recognised, it becomes easier for women to struggle for it.

In a non-democratic set-up, the principle of individual freedom and dignity sometimes have no legal force.

Dignity and Freedom of Disadvantaged Groups

Democracy in India has strengthened the claims of the disadvantaged and discriminated castes for equal status and equal opportunity.

There are still cases of caste-based inequalities and atrocities but these lack the moral and legal foundations. It is the recognition that makes ordinary citizens to value their democratic rights.

The most distinctive feature about democracy is that, its examination never ends. As people get some benefits, they ask for more and want to make democracy even better. Thus, people always come up with more expectations and many complaints. It shows that people have developed awareness and the ability to expect.

Democracy transforms people from the status of a subject into that of a citizen. Today most of the individuals believe that their vote definitely makes a difference to the way the government is run and to their own self-interest.

Favourable conditions generally provided to people under a democratic rule : 

(i) It promotes dignity to everyone irrespective of caste, creed and religion.

(ii) It ensures freedom of the individual.

(iii) It provides equal status and opportunity.

(iv) It provides positive reservation for women and other advantages for discriminated groups.

Ways in which democracy can be redefined to make democracy more effective :

(i) Ensures that views of the minority are respected.

(ii) Eliminates caste, religion and gender-based discrimination.

(iii) People enjoy extensive rights from right to vote to participate in elections.

(iv) People enjoy social and economic rights.

Democracy stands much superior to any other form of government in promoting dignity and freedom of the individual –

(1) Every individual wants to receive respect from fellow beings.

(2) The passion for respect and freedom are the basis of democracy.

(3) Democracy in India has strengthened the claims of the disadvantaged and discriminated groups for equal status and equal opportunities.

(4) It provides methods to resolve conflicts.

Democracy leads to peaceful and harmonious life among citizens

(i) Democracy accommodates various social divisions.

(ii) Democracy reduces the possibility of tensions becoming explosive and violent.

(iii) Ability to handle social differences and conflicts among different groups is a plus point of democracy.

(iv) Democracy develops procedure to conduct healthy competitions among different groups in a society.

(v) Democracy respects differences and provides mechanism to resolve them.

(vi) Democracy always accommodates minority view.

Democracy is seen to be good in principles but not in practice because of the following reasons:

The decision-making process in a democracy is time-taking, whereby justice delayed is justice denied.

The tyranny of the majority overrides the will of the minority.

Corruption and red-tapism dominate the functioning of democracies.

An illiterate and uninformed electorate fails to give itself a legitimate and accountable government.

The role of charismatic leaders and dynasties politics dominates political cultures.

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