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:
- It promotes equality among citizens;
- Enhances the dignity of the individual;
- Improves the quality of decision-making;
- Provides a method to resolve conflicts; and
- 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.
Accountable, Responsive and Legitimate 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:-
- Accountability: Democracy is an accountable government because it provides right to the citizens to elect the representatives of their choice through electoral process. and citizens can also take part in decision making.
- Responsiveness: In response to the people’s need, it is government who is bound to work on those policies which favors 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.
- These are the things that you can expect form any democratic government.
Question arises that should you expect some other things?
A. 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.
However, democracy has several other positive outcomes that makes it better alternative.
B. Reduction of inequality and poverty
Democracy does not ensure equal distribution of income among the people. Rather it create huge difference between rich and poor.
C. 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 fulfill.
- 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.
D. 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.
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