CIVICS

OUTCOMES OF DEMOCRACY

HOW DO WE ASSESS DEMOCRACY’S OUTCOMES?

1. How are democratic governments better than the other forms of governments? Compare. (or)
Why is a democratic government better than other alternatives? (or)
‘Democracy is more effective than its other alternatives.’ Justify the statement. (or)
Why do we feel that democracy is a better form of government than any other form? Explain.
Page no:64 from 6th line – (democracy is a ------ till Allows the room to correct mistakes. With relevant
explanation
2. Explain any three common features of democracies. (or)
Explain any three characteristics of democracy.
Page no: 64 3rd para – (from over a hundred ----- upto right of citizens) with explanation
3. Explain any three common features of democracies (or)
Explain any three characteristics of democracy.
Page no: 64 3rd para – (from over a hundred ----- upto right of citizens) with explanation
4. Should we blame the democracy for socio-economic and political problems?
Page no: 64 3rd para

ACCOUNTABLE, RESPONSIVE AND LEGITIMATE GOVERNMENT

5. What is meant by transparency?
Page no: 65 – 4the para full
6. How is democracy accountable and responsive to the needs and expectations of the citizens? Analyse.
Page no: 65 – First 4 para
Key points – Right to choose and control the rulers, the idea of deliberation and negotiation, worthy cost of
time and transparency.
7. ‘There is an overwhelming support for the idea of democracy all over the world.’ Support the statement.
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8. Some people think that democracy produces a less-effective government.’ Analyse the statement.
Page no: 65 2nd para page no: 66 2nd para (In substantial terms ---- upto free of this evil)
9. How is a democratic government known as a responsive government? Explain with an example
Page no: 65 2nd, 3rd and 4th para
Key points: The idea of deliberation and negotiation, worthy cost of time and transperancy.
10. ‘Democratic governments in practice are known as accountable.’ Support the statement.
Page no:65 – First para full.
11. ‘The record of democracies is not impressive on two count” – explain
Page no: 66 – 2nd para full
 ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
12. Can the inability to achieve higher rate be the reason to reject democracy? (or)
Explain the factors on which the economic development depends upon.
Page no: 67 – 2nd para full

REDUCTION OF INEQUALITY AND POVERTY

13. Democracies are not appearing to be very successful in reducing economic inequalities.’ Analyse the
statement. (or)
Explain the role of democratic governments in reducing economic disparities.
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14. How can you say that democracies are based on political equality?
Page no: 69 2nd para – first 6 lines ( from democracies ------- till equal footing.
Key points – equal right to vote and right to contest

ACCOMMODATION OF SOCIAL DIVERSITY

15. ‘Democracy accommodates social diversities.’ Support the statement with examples. (or)
How do democracies accommodate various social divisions? Explain with examples. (or)
Explain any three conditions under which democracies are able to accommodate social diversities. (or)
Democracies lead to peaceful and harmonious life among citizens.’ Support the statement with suitable
examples.

Page NO: 70 From First para – (from Belgium has successfully ---- till the end of the concept)

DIGNITY AND FREEDOM OF THE CITIZENS

16. ‘Democracy stands much superior in promoting dignity and freedom of the citizens.’ Justify the statement.
(or)
Democracy stands much superior to any other form of government in promoting dignity and freedom of the
individual.’ Support the statement with suitable examples.
Page no: 71 & 72 full
Key points – Equality, dignity of women, caste equality and right to complaint about the functioning

17. ‘A public expression of dissatisfaction with democracy shows the success of democratic project.’ Justify the
statement. (or)
‘Constant complaints by people can be seen as a testimony to the success of a democracy.’ Explain.
Page no: 72 – 2ND PARA – full – (Expectations from democracy -------- the end of the para)

SIMPLIFIED ANSWERS
18. ‘A democratic government is a legitimate government.’ Support the statement with arguments. (or)
Why is a democratic government known as a legitimate government? Explain

1. It may be slow, less efficient or not always responsive or clean, but it is people’s own
government.
2. People wish to be ruled by representatives elected by them.
3. The laws are applicable to all the citizen whether rich or poor.
4. In a democracy political equality is guaranteed.
5. People have the right to change the government.
6. In a democracy, decisions are taken in a very transparent manner citizens have the
chance to examine the process of decision-making.
7. It has planned institutions and practices for its functioning, such as:
 Regular, free and fair elections.
 open public debate on major policies and legislations
 citizen’s right to information about the government and its functioning

19. ‘A democratic government is efficient and effective.’ Analyse the statement.

 A democratic government is mainly a government of people. It is the people who run a

democracy by electing their own government.
 A democratic government works for the betterment and welfare of the people.
 A democratic government promotes equality of status and opportunity. There is no
discrimination on the basis of caste, class, gender, religion, etc.
 A democratic government gives freedom of thought, expression and belief, (ie) In a
democratic government, the rights of the people are protected. They can even fight if their
rights are encroached.

20. An ideal government would not only keep itself away from corruption but also make fighting
corruption and black money a top priority.’ Justify the statement by highlighting the values attached
to it.

Legitimacy: An elected government is expected to work for the welfare of the people. Corruption
and black money are the source of all social evils like poverty, inflation and poor political ethics. A
government who fails to control corruption losses its legitimacy to rule.

Responsive: It is the people’s representatives that rule. It is therefore necessary that they respond
to the eradication of corruption and accumulation of black money. If not so, people get discouraged
to re-elect them.

Accountability: An elected government is accountable to the people for the management of policy
and its resources. It has to get support of the people for every policy it frames. Thus, fair
distribution and allocation of resources cannot be done without doing away with corruption.
Transparency has to be maintained in the process of governing.
21. ‘Democracy is seen to be good in principle but felt to be not so good in practice.’ Justify the
statement.

 In a democracy, people expect to have their needs and expectations fulfilled but because
every country has a diverse culture and regions, it is not possible to look after everyone’s
needs.
 Even though democracy is not simply rule by majority opinion, there are instances where the
minority opinions is not taken into account for a general view.
 If there is corruption, then people lose faith in the government and then do not feel the need
to vote which is not healthy for the country because democracy is a people’s government.
 Regular elections may lead to change in the ruling party, which causes instability and fall of
economic development.
 If people are not wise in choosing their representatives then even though there is room to
correct mistakes, the country will suffer and so will the people.

22. How does Indian democracy meet the expectations of Indian people regarding democratic
outcomes? Explain with examples.

 India can claim to be the largest democracy in the world, granting political freedom and
equality to all.
 People by virtue of fundamental rights participate in the governance of the country.
 Indian democracy has ensured power sharing to all the groups and has given adequate
representation to women, and diverse and weaker sections of the society. For instances,
reservation policy, language policy and principle of secularism.
 It provides for smooth and legitimate transformation from one government to another by
means of electoral competition.
 It is an accountable government, which ensures transparency. It is also responsive to the
needs and aspirations of the citizens.