Outcomes Of Democracy - Class 10 Political Science - Extra Questions

Citizens should regularly keep a watch on the functions of the government. Why?

Because this will not only ensure that the growth of the country remains top priority for the government but also be vigilant about its wrong doing.


What are the conditions under which democracies accommodate social diversities?

Democracies accommodate social diversities when it is well understood that democracy is not just the rule of the majority, and that the rule of the majority is not just the rule of a single religious or social community.



Give arguments to support or oppose the following assertions:
  • Industrialised countries can afford democracy but the poor need dictatorship to become rich.
  • Democracy cant reduce inequality of incomes between different citizens.
  • Government in poor countries should spend less on poverty reduction, health, education and spend more on industries and infrastructure.
  • In democracy, all citizens have one vote, which means that there is absence of any domination and conflict.

• This statement is incorrect as can be seen from the examples of India and Zimbabwe. In 1947, India was included in the Third World nations, but now, it is one of the fast-growing economies in the world. On the other hand, Zimbabwe, which was a fairly prosperous nation, has run into huge international debt with the progression of Robert Mugabe's regime.

• Democracy can't reduce inequality of incomes between different citizens. This statement is incorrect. The Minimum Wages Act enacted by the government and other policies which regulate the basic price at which agricultural producers and small industries sell their goods have helped increase the per capita income of the country, thereby making its citizens more prosperous.

• The government in poor countries should spend less on poverty reduction, health, education and spend more on industries and infrastructure. This is not a wise option as in poor countries, the people cannot afford health and education services.

• In democracy, all citizens have one vote, which means that there is the absence of any domination and conflict. This is not true as conflict can be eliminated only in an ideal situation. In real democracies, though every person has one vote, there are divisions among the people. These divisions lead to conflict.



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

  1. Democracy produces an accountable government: Democracy produces an accountable governments, as the people have the right in choosing their representatives through the electoral process. These elected representatives form the government and participate in the decision-making process on behalf of the people. If these elected representatives do not work properly, people have a chance to not elect them in the next election.
  2. Democracy Produces Responsive Government: Democratic governments are elected by the people and are responsible towards the people and Parliament. These governments promote the formation of public opinion and take care of the needs and expectations of the people.
  3. Democracy Produces Legitimate Government: A democratic government is people’s own government. 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.


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.
A large number of farmers are committing suicide in different states of India.
Following allegation of killing of three civilians in Gandwara in a fake encounter by Jammu and Kashmir police, an enquiry has been ordered.

• The challenge to democracy in the first statement is to provide equal status to all its citizens in spite of their caste.

• The challenge to democracy in the second instance is providing farmers with subsidies which will help them to earn profits and have a satisfactory level of livelihood.

• The challenge to democracy is to preserve the people's trust in government arms like the police.



"Democracy accommodates social diversities. Support the statement with examples.

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. 
Democracy accommodates social diversity as it allows for equality, fair representation to all irrespective of their caste, creed, colour, race, religion, language or place of residence.
Democracy also ensures that the government should not be made by the majority but it should have the representation of minorities as well. 
Democracy is the best form of government to accommodate social diversities if it must fulfills some basic conditions. They are:
i) Free and fair elections.
ii) Majority rule should not be in terms of religion or race or linguistic groups.
iii) Majority should always work in consonance with the minority.


Explain any three ways in which democracies have been able to reduce inequality and poverty.

In the following ways, Democracy has been able to reduce inequality and poverty:
1. Democracy gives equal rights to the people; it does not discriminate on the basis of sex, religion, color, caste etc. 
2. Democracy promotes the redistributive mechanism for conveying financial benefits on the grounds of the necessity of any section of the community, this directs to a more equal division of privileges to under privilege which overcomes poverty.
3. Democracy provides a proper atmosphere for organizational activism which commences to the same opportunity to increase the interests of impoverished people.
4. In order to reduce poverty and inequality democracies made efforts to promote a more transparent form of government and thus provide people with rights such as Right to Information etc.
5. Governments can intervene to promote equity, and reduce inequality and poverty, through the tax and benefits system. This means employing a progressive tax and benefits system which takes proportionately more tax from those on higher levels of income, and redistributes welfare benefits to those on lower incomes.


In which form of government, 'dignity of individual' is best protected?

The dignity of an individual is best protected in democratic form of government. 


Why has the Government established Lokayukta?

In order to meet a long-standing demand to establish a mechanism for dealing complaints on corruption against public functionaries, including corruption at high places, the Government has constituted Lokpal for the Union and Lokayukta for states. The function of Lokayukta is investigating cases of corruption and recommending appropriate action. This brings transparency to the system and makes the government citizen-friendly.


On the basis of which values will it be a fair expectation that democracy should produce a harmonious social life? Explain.

1) A democratic country looks into the needs and aspirations of every section of society. 
2) It is also able to handle social conflicts, divisions and differences.
3) Accommodating the demands of the underprivileged, the backward sections of the society and the minority communities through democratic principles, helps in building a more inclusive and a harmonious society.
4) Thus, on the basis of social accommodation and respecting each other’s cultures and freedom—a major feature of democracy, it is a fair expectation that a democratic country should produce a harmonious social life.


"Democracy stands much superior to any other form of government in promoting dignity and freedom of the individual." Justify the statement.

”Democracy stands much superior in promoting dignity and freedom to the citizens”: 
  • Democracy promotes dignity and freedom of the individual. Every individual wants to receive respect from fellow beings. Democracies have achieved this to a certain degree in many countries. 
  • Long struggles by women have got them respect and equal treatment. In many democracies, women were deprived of their right to vote for a long time which they have achieved now. Women can now wage a struggle against what is now unacceptable legally and morally. In a non-democratic set-up, women would not have a legal basis to fight for equality. 
  • Democracy has strengthened the claims of the disadvantaged and discriminated castes for equal status and equal opportunity. 
  • People now look critically at the work of those who hold power, the rich, the powerful. They express their dissatisfaction loudly. It shows they are no longer subjects but citizens of a democratic country. In a democratic country like India, constitution provides provisions for the protection of our fundamental rights.


"Complaints are treated as testimony to the success of democracy." Support the statement with examples. 

Complaints are treated as a testimony to the success of democracy as they highlight the awareness of people and their expectations from the system that has been put in place. It reflects that they are not overawed by those in power and can objectively and critically examine the difference they have made. It is a measure of their participation in public debates which democracy seeks to encourage. Constant complaints by people can be seen as a testimony to the success of a democracy in the following ways It reflects the awareness level of the people 
If recognises people movement asa an inegral part of democracy


"Democracy promotes dignity and freedom of the people". Explain the statement.

Democracy stands much superior to any other form of government in promoting dignity and freedom of the individual. Every individual wants to receive respect from fellow beings. Often conflicts arise among individuals because some 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 this, at least in principle. This has been achieved in various degrees in various democracies. For societies which have been built for long on the basis of subordination and domination, it is not a simple matter to recognize that all individuals are equal.
Take the case of the dignity of women. Most societies across the world were historically male-dominated societies. Long struggles by women have created some sensitivity today that respect too and equal treatment of women are necessary ingredients of a democratic society. 



"Democracies lead to peaceful and harmonious life among citizens." Justify this statement.

  • In most countries, the democracy produces a government that is accountable to the citizens and responsive to the needs and expectations of the citizens. Thus, it promotes equality among citizens. 
  • People wish to be ruled by representatives elected by them as in a democratic government i.e people's own government. It makes them believe that it is suitable for their country as it is the legitimate government. 
  • No society can fully and permanently resolve the conflict among different groups. But we can learn to respect these differences and evolve mechanisms to negotiate them. Democracy is best suited as it develops a procedure to conduct competitions. Belgium is a successful example of negotiating differences among ethnic groups. 


What is a legitimate government?

The type of government under which law and action of government are revealed to the people. It is acknowledged as being in control of a nation and deserving formal recognition.


"Democracy is seen to be good in principle but felt to be not so good in practice." Justify the statement.

The reasons for this: 
(i) The decision-making process in democracy is delayed.
 (ii) Democracies often frustrate the needs of the people.
 (iii) It often ignore the demands of majority of its population.
 (iv) The routine tales of corruption associated with it. 
(v) Most democracies fall short of elections that provide fair chance to everyone and in subjecting every decision to public debate.


Class 10 Political Science Extra Questions