Dermocratic Politics

Class: 10 Outcomes of Democracy

Note: -Students are informed to read the text book referring the points notes.
INtroduction:-
➢ Democracy is the best form of government compared to monarchy and
dictatorship.
➢ The dilemma is that democracy seems to be the best in principles and not
so good at practice.
➢ This dilemma forces us to think about outcomes of democracy.
➢ Over 100 countries of the world claimed and practiced democracy with
elections, constitutional and parties but there are many differences in
terms of their social situation, economic achievements and culture.
➢ Democracy is the only form of government which can create conditions to
achieve our goals.

7.1 What can be expected from democracy?

A. An accountable responsive and legitimate government.

➢ In democracy, it is considered that people have the right to choose their

leaders and have control on them.
➢ People can also participate in decision making process.

Is the democratic government effective?

➢ Non – democratic rulers do not want to bother about assemblies, majority

or public opinion.
➢ So, they can be very quick and efficient.
➢ But, democracy is based on the idea of deliberation and negotiation and
fast decision may be wrong and inacceptable.
➢ So, the cost of time provides a better decision in democracy.
➢ Democracy ensures that the decision making will be based on norms and
procedures [an expected outcome].
➢ The citizen has the right to examine the process of decision making.
➢ It is right to expect that democracy produces a government that follows
the procedures.
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➢ The democratic government also develops mechanism for citizens to hold

the government accountable and take part in decision making process
[expected outcome].
➢ We should examine the democratic policies and institutions like free and
fair elections, open public debate on major policies, citizens right to
information about the government and its functions.
➢ Democracies have greater success in setting up regular and free elections
and setting up conditions for open public debate.
➢ Democratic government has a poor record in sharing information with
citizens.
➢ It is right to expect a government in democracy that is attentive to the
needs and demands of people and free of corruption. [Expected
outcomes].
➢ The record of democracies is not impressive on this account.
➢ There is nothing to show that non – democracies are less corruptive or
more accountable to the people.
➢ Democratic government is the legitimate government [expected
outcome].
➢ The world supports the idea of democracy and the people of non-
democratic countries also wish to be ruled by elected representatives.
➢ Democracy is preferable in India [70%], Sri Lankha [71%], Bangladesh
[69%], and Nepal [62%] except Pakistan [37%].

B. Economic Growth and Development:-

➢ Since democracies produce good government, it is right to expect a better
economic development in the country.
➢ But the record of democracies would not fulfill this expectation.
➢ If you consider the democracy and dictatorship, dictatorship has higher
rate of economic growth.
➢ But based on this we can’t reject democracy because economic
development depends upon the size of population, global situation,
resources, co – operation of other countries etc….
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Economic growth rate of 1950-2000:

➢ All democracies – 3.95%.

➢ All dictatorship – 4.42%.
➢ Poor countries under democracy – 4.28%.
➢ Poor countries under dictatorship – 4.34%.

C. Reduction of inequality and poverty [expected outcome]:-

➢ It is reasonable to expect democracies to reduce economic disparities

between the social groups.
➢ The record of democracy shows the wider economic and social disparities.
➢ But, democracy is based on political equality and not economic equality.
➢ In every country the major part of the wealth is in the hands of a few and
at the bottom of the society people struggle to live.
➢ Democracy is still unsuccessful in reducing economic inequalities.
➢ Parties win the election by the votes of the poor but they do little for
them.
➢ In Bangladesh, most people live in poverty.
➢ In USA, the income of top 20% population is around 50% of the total
income of the country but the income of bottom 20% only 4%.
➢ In UK, it is 45% and 6% and in South Africa, it is 65% and 3%.

D. Accommodation of Social diversity:-

➢ It is an another fair expectation, that democracy should produce a

harmonious social life.
➢ No society can fully and permanently solve the conflicts among different
social groups.
➢ Democracy is best suited to produce this outcome since it has a
mechanism to negotiate differences.
➢ Ability to handle different social differences, divisions and conflicts is a
plus point of democracy.
➢ The example of Sri Lanka ren2 conditions that a democracy must follow to
achieve this outcome.
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✓ Democracy is not simply ruled by majority opinion and majority

always need to work with minority.
✓ Ruled by majority doesn’t become ruled by majority community in
terms of religion or race. .

E. Dignity and freedom of citizens:-

➢ Democracy stands much superior in this regards.

➢ The passion for respect and freedom is the basis of democracy.
➢ This principle is recognized by various degrees.
➢ Since, the societies have been built for long on the basis of subordination
and domination; it is not easy to recognize all groups or individuals
equality.
➢ All people get benefits from the democratic governments, people ask
more and more and hold more expectations and complaints.
➢ Public expression of dis-satisfaction with democracy shows the success of
democratic project that transform people from a subject to a citizen.

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