Outcomes of Democracy. Easy Notes of civics for class 10th
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    |   Preeti

Introduction:

From the year when you begin studying Civics, you found what form of government do we have and how it functions through federal system. No individual has given extreme power. But everyone is equally a part of it. Apart from this, you also studied about whole structure thoroughly. This chapter will lead you to the outcome that you came to observe throughout 5 years.

How do we assess democracy’s outcomes?

We got to know from previous year chapter that Democracy is a better alternative since its has features like:

  1. It promotes equality among citizens;
  2. Enhances the dignity of the individual;
  3. Improves the quality of decision-making;
  4. Provides a method to resolve conflicts; and
  5. Allows room to correct mistakes.

Though democracy has these above given features to be seen good in principle, but it is felt not to be good in its practice. So lets find out, do we prefer it for moral reasons or prudential reasons?

  • Reason is simple.
    • Democracy’s features do not change but its impact varies from country to country. Social situations, economic achievements and cultures are those factors that create the difference in these democracies.
    • Therefore, need not to blame democracy. As it is just a form of government. It can only create conditions for achieving something. What you need to do is to take advantage of those conditions.

Why democracy is better form of government?

  • Democracy provides most suitable government. However some people think that it make delays in decision making. Hence prove to be less effective.
  • Although it takes time, that doesn’t make it inefficient. Rather it helps finding better and fair solutions.
  • There are some things that democracy must provide as an outcome and These are:-
    1. Accountability, Responsiveness and Legitimacy:-
      • Accountability: Democracy is accountable because people elect their representatives and can change them in the next election. Citizens monitor the government through RTI, media, courts, and public opinion, so leaders answer for their actions.
      • Responsiveness: In response to the people’s need, it is government who is bound to work on those policies which favours the needs as well as welfare of the people. This is what you will find in democratic countries only.
      • Legitimacy: The government that gets popular support from the people, come to power. Therefore you can say, it is people’s own government. This is what makes it legitimate.
    2. Rule of law and transparency:- Democracy follows clear rules and procedures for making decisions. Citizens have the right to examine how decisions are made through records, RTI, and audits.
    3. Accommodation of social diversity:- Democracy gives space to different regions, religions, languages, and social groups. The majority rules, but the rights of minorities are protected, and conflicts are settled through dialogue and fair laws.
    4. Dignity and freedom of citizens:- Democracy protects every person’s dignity and freedom. The Constitution guarantees fundamental rights like equality, speech, religion, and life. Courts enforce these rights and punish violations.
    5. Peaceful conflict resolution:- Democracy settles disputes through talks, negotiation, and courts. Institutions apply fair rules so groups resolve issues without violence.
    6. Chance to correct mistakes:- Democracy allows people to replace leaders in elections, challenge wrong actions in courts, and press for change through media and peaceful protest.
  • These are the things that we should expect form any democratic government.

Lets understand what is possible to expect and how far?

Accountable, Responsive and Legitimate government

In a democracy, we expect a government that is accountable, responsive, and legitimate. People elect and can replace their leaders. The government listens to public needs, improves services, fixes complaints, and explains its decisions. It gains legitimacy by winning free and fair elections and working under the Constitution and rule of law, so citizens accept its authority.

Economic growth and development

It is not necessary that only democracy leads to better Economic growth and development.

The rate of economic development depends on several factors.

  • Country’s population size
  • global situation
  • cooperation from the other countries
  • Economic priorities adopted by the country, etc.

Thus, Democracy does not always give faster growth. But, we do not expect it to lag far behind dictatorships.

Reduction of inequality and poverty

Democracy gives equal political rights, but economic gaps can still widen as the rich take a rising share of income and the poor struggle for food, housing, education, and health. This happens when growth policies ignore distribution and basic services.

Accommodation of social diversity

No society can fully and permanently resolve conflicts among different groups. But democracy can reduce the possibility of these tensions to become violent.

There are two conditions that democracy must fulfil.

  • It is necessary to understand that democracy is not simply rule by majority opinion. Therefore it must represent general views of both minority and majority
  • It should ensure minority also has the chance to form majority at some point of time. So that different communities can peacefully voice their grievances.

Dignity and freedom of the citizens

This is one of the principles of democracy. Everyone seeks for it. This can only be achieved with legal acceptance. Take the case of women. Earlier they had no equal rights. With time they got equal treatment. But it is only through legal recognition of principle, women got the chance to claim. Through this, disadvantaged and discriminated castes also got the chance to claim their equal status and equal opportunity.

Conclusion:

We can conclude that democracy is not perfect form of government. It has some shortcomings too. But when we compare it with other forms. We find it the better option. Since we always expect more, sometimes we get dissatisfied with the outcome. But we must not ignore its positive side.