Outcomes Of Democracy 10 (CIVICS) NCERT NOTES

Class 9: Recall Points:

Democracy is a better form of government when compared with dictatorship or any other alternative. We felt that democracy was better because 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.

Divergence between Ideal and Reality:

   - While many favor democracy over other forms of governance, practical satisfaction is often lacking.

The Democracy Dilemma:

   - Democracy is good in principle but in practice not so good!

Moral vs. Prudential Support:

   - The question arises: Do we support democracy solely for moral reasons, or are there practical reasons (prudential) as well?

Global Democratic Landscape:

   - Over 100 countries claim democratic practices, Like: 

• they have formal constitutions, 
• they hold elections, 
• they have parties and 
• they guarantee the rights of citizens.

Yet they vary significantly in: 

• social situations, 
• economic achievements, and 
• cultures mean distinct outcomes for each democratic system.

Managing Expectations:

   - What can be expected from every democracy? To address: 

• all socio-economic and political problems. 
• If some of our expectations are not met, we start blaming the idea of democracy. Or, we start doubting if we are living in a democracy.

What constitutes the Outcomes of Democracy:?

• To recognise that democracy is just a form of government. 
• It can only create conditions for achieving something. 
• The citizens have to take advantage of those conditions and achieve those goals. 

Q:  When do we start cursing the idea of democracy? Q:  State any three merits of democracy. Q: When is democracy considered successful? Explain. Q: What outcomes can one reasonably expect of democracies?

1) What is shown in the given cartoon? 2)  Identify the man sitting on the rock named democracy. 3) Which of the following option best signifies this cartoon? Answers:  1) The cartoon throws light on the issues faced in a democracy. It includes the Indian examples- language dispute, separatist movements, students’ demands, border disputes with different countries, excesses made by the police and bureaucrats. 2) This is the famous cartoonist R.K Laxman who gave Indian politics a new dimension by releasing political cartoons which commented on all relevant issues. He is seen worried here due to an array of problems faced by India. 3) A. Demand for separate state from Democratic Government B. Democratic Government is facing territorial issues with the bordering states C. Democratic Government is coping with multiple pressures through accommodation D. Democratic Government accepts demands based on separate state

Q: How does democracy produce an accountable government? Q: Discuss any three factors that describe the successful working of democracy in India.

Accountable, responsive and legitimate government

There are some things that democracy must provide.

Right to Choose Rulers:

   - Ensures citizens have the fundamental right to choose their leaders.

Citizen Control over Rulers:

   - Empowers people to have influence and control over the actions of their elected leaders.

Citizen Participation in Decision-Making:

   - Emphasizes the importance of citizens actively participating in decisions that impact the entire community.

Government Accountability:

   - Aims for a government that is accountable to citizens and responsive to their needs and expectations.

Efficiency and Effectiveness in Democracy:

Efficiency Concerns:

  - Critics argue that democracy might lead to less efficient decision-making compared to non-democratic systems.

Why? Due to Deliberation = Delay

Deliberation vs. Quick Decision-Making:

  - Democracy, rooted in deliberation and negotiation, may introduce delays in decision-making.

Cost Benefit Analysis of Time: 

While non-democratic governments may decide quickly, democratic processes, despite taking more time, can lead to more acceptable and effective decisions.

  - 

The time invested in democratic processes contributes to decisions that are both accepted by the people and effective, making the democratic approach worthwhile.

1) What is shown in this cartoon? Ans. It shows how the government is keeping an eye on the citizens through a lens/ telescope and knows each and every detail about the but the citizens on the other hand do not have any such information about the government. 2) Can you think of what and how the government knows about you and your family? Ans. The government of India has various tools through which information about the citizens can be taken, for example – Aadhar cards, ration cards and voter identity cards etc. Every ten years, the government conducts a census. In this census, there are records of each adult member of the family along with his /her sex, age and education. There is a provision of registering birth, marriage and death of the family members with the government institutions. 3) What are the sources of information for you about the government? Ans. Right to Information, information on government websites, newspapers etc. Political leaders either local or national are the main sources of information to the common people. They make them aware of the polices and decisions taken by the government.

Q: What is meant by transparency?

Transparency in Democracy:

Decision-Making Based on Norms:

   - Democracy ensures decisions are made following established norms and procedures.

Citizen Right to Examine Decision-Making (In Democracy vs Non-Democracy):

   - Citizens have the right and means to examine the decision-making process, promoting transparency. (ex: Law made by Parliament)

- Transparency missing in Non-Democracy

Expectation from Democracy (OUTCOME):

   - Democracy is expected to yield a government accountable to the people, following procedures and citizens to take part in decision making whenever they think fit.

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Measuring Democracy's Outcomes:  

 

Practices and Institutions to Evaluate:

  - Regular, free, and fair elections.

  - Open public debate on major policies and legislations.

  - Citizens' right to information about the government's functioning.

Mixed Record of Democracies:

  - Democracies succeeded in establishing: 

• Regular and free elections and
• conditions for open public debate.

 - Democracies Failed in establishing:

• Providing a fair chance to everyone and 
• In subjecting every decision to public debate. 
• Democratic governments often face difficulties in sharing information with citizens.

Conclusion: Despite challenges, democracies generally outperform non-democratic regimes in these aspects.

Expectations from democratic government:

1.To be attentive to the needs and demands of the people.

2. Free of corruption 

Democracy's Record:

• Failed to fulfill people's needs and may ignore majority demands.
• Democracies are not immune to corruption, evident in routine tales of malpractice.

Note: No assurance that non-democracies are less corrupt or more sensitive to people.

Q: “There is overwhelming support for the idea of democracy all over the world.” Support the statement.

One respect in which democratic government is certainly better than its alternatives:

Democratic government is a legitimate government.

• Because it belongs to the people - Due to which it gather Global Support for Democracy

Overwhelming worldwide support for democracy due to its legitimacy and people's preference for self-rule.

Ex: ​​

Support for Democracy in South Asia:

Democracy Across Regimes:  Evident in both democratic and non-democratic nations.

Popular Choice: People desire governance by elected representatives.

Perceived Suitability: Belief in democracy's appropriateness for their country.

Self-Generating Support: Democracy’s ability to generate its own support is itself an outcome that cannot be ignored.

Q: In which area does democracy fail to achieve the same results as in dictatorship? Q: Establish the relationship between democracy and development.

Economic growth and development

Expectations vs. Reality:

   - Democracies are expected to yield good governments and also produce development.

   - But evidence shows that many democracies didn't meet the development expectation.

Economic Growth Comparison (1950-2000):

   - Dictatorships showed slightly higher economic growth rates.

   - Democracy's struggle with achieving higher economic development.

To understand this:

Several Factors Influencing Economic Development

• Population size, 
• global situation, 
• cooperation from other countries, 
• economic priorities adopted by the country, etc.

Negligible Difference in Less Developed Countries

   - There is a Negligible difference in economic growth rates between dictatorship and democracy.

   - Democracy isn't a guaranteed path to economic development nor is it lagging behind dictatorships.

Democracy's Positive Outcomes

   - Democracy may not guarantee economic growth, but it has other positive outcomes.

   - Despite economic concerns, democracy offers various advantages.

6. **Choosing Democracy for Broader Benefits**

   - Given the differences in economic growth, democracy still preferred.

   - Democracy provides multiple positive outcomes beyond just economic development.

Cartoon 1 Cartoons on this page and next three pages tell us about the disparities between the rich and poor. Should the gains of economic growth be evenly distributed? How can the poor get a voice for a better share in a nation? What can the poor countries do to receive a greater share in the world’s wealth?

Economic outcomes of democracy The debate about the economic outcomes of democracy is one such debate. Over the years, many students of democracy have gathered careful evidence to see what the relationship of democracy with economic growth and economic inequalities is. The tables and the cartoon here present some of the evidences: Table 1: shows that on an average dictatorial regimes have had a slightly better record of economic growth. But when we compare their record only in poor countries, there is virtually no difference. Table 2: shows that within democracies there can be very high degree of inequalities. In democratic countries like South Africa and Brazil, the top 20 per cent people take away more than 60 per cent of the national income, leaving less than 3 per cent for the bottom 20 per cent population. Countries like Denmark and Hungary are much better in this respect.   You can see in the cartoon, there is often inequality of opportunities available to the poorer sections. What would be your verdict on democracy if you had to base it purely on the economic performance of democratic regimes in terms of growth and equal distribution? Cartoon 2:

Q: How can you say that democracies are based on political equality? Q: What is meant by economic inequality? Q:  Democracy has failed to reduce economic inequality and poverty.’’ Do you agree? Give arguments in support of your answer.

Reduction of inequality and poverty

Expectations of Democracies:

   - Hopes for democracies to reduce economic disparities and also need to ensure fair distribution of wealth.

Political Equality vs. Economic Inequalities:

   - Democracies emphasize political equality in electing representatives.

   - Despite political equality, economic disparities and wealth concentration grow.

Ex: 

   - Ultra-rich hold a disproportionate share of wealth in democracies.

   - Their portion of the total income continues to increase.

Struggles at the Bottom:

   - Bottom-tier individuals face declining incomes and struggle for basic needs.

   - Even failed in meeting necessities like food, clothing, housing, education, and health.

Democracy's Ineffectiveness in Reducing Inequalities:

   - Democracies show limited success in diminishing economic inequalities.

   - Despite a large poor voter base - no party would like to lose their votes yet democratically elected governments often fall short in addressing poverty.

Global Perspective on Poverty

- The situation is much worse in some other countries

   - Global examples, like Bangladesh, highlight significant poverty challenges.

   - Some poor nations rely on wealthy countries even for basic necessities like food.

Cartoon 3: Cartoon 4: 1) What do these cartoons 1,2,3 and 4  represent? Ans. It tells us about the disparities between the rich and poor. The rich are getting richer and poor are getting poorer. The economic gains are distributed in society in such a way that this inequality fails to disappear. 2) Should the gains of economic growth be evenly distributed? Ans. Yes up to a certain extent it should be. Even Marxism supports this idea.  Of course, the gains of economic growth should be equally distributed among the citizens so as to make an economically even society. Also this would be as per one of the basis causes of democracy i.e., economic justice. 3) How can the poor get a voice for a better share in a nation? Ans. The poor will get better share in democratic nation when they will be given proper representation and also they get a chance to participate in a decision making. 4) What can the poor countries do to receive a greater share in the world’s wealth? Ans. They should get united to fight for the cause. Only then, they will be able to get their share. At the same time, they will have to take initiatives to strengthen their internal democracy and exploit their own available natural resources

Q: Which system can reduce the possibility of tension and conflict among different groups of society? Q: How are complaints treated as testimony to the success of democracy? Explain.

Accommodation of social diversity

Expectation of Harmonious Social Life:

   - Fair expectation that democracies promote harmony among citizens.

Accommodating Social Divisions (Earlier Chapters):

   - Democracies, like Belgium has successfully negotiated differences among ethnic populations.

   - Democracies also developed procedures to manage competition, reducing the potential for violence. (Civil War: Sri Lanka)

Handling Social Conflicts:

   - No society can fully and permanently resolve conflicts among different groups.

   - But Democracies excel in managing and negotiating social differences.

   - Non-democratic regimes often turn a blind eye to or suppress internal social differences. 

Conditions for Successful Democracy:

   - Example of Sri Lanka reminds us that a democracy must fulfill two conditions      

     In order to achieve this outcome:

   - Democracy should go beyond majority rule, fostering cooperation with minorities.

   - Avoiding dominance by majority communities based on religion, race, or language is crucial.

   - Democracy thrives when every citizen has a chance to be part of the majority at some point.

   - Democracy ceases to be true if birth-based barriers prevent certain groups from being in the majority.

(i) Democratic politics when make race, religion, caste or any other existing social division, as its base, it further divides the society and give an impetus to the conflict. This is not healthy for democracy itself. (ii) Contrary to it, when the existing divisions are minimized through democratic means on the basis of moral and prudential reasons, it leads to the solid ration of the country. It also contributes in the development of each and every class of the society. It makes an environment where people can grow and prosper together.

Q: Explain with examples, how the dignity and freedom of citizens are best guaranteed in a democracy.

Dignity and freedom of the citizens

Democracy's Superiority in Promoting Individual Dignity:

   - Democracy excels in upholding the dignity and freedom of individuals.

Passion for Respect and Freedom:

   - Core principles of democracy: respect and freedom.

   - Conflicts often arise when individuals feel deprived of due respect.

Global Recognition of Democratic Principles:

   - Democracies worldwide acknowledge the importance of individual dignity and freedom.

   - Varies in degrees across democracies, especially in societies with a history of subordination and domination.

Because:

   - Societies built on subordination struggle to accept the equality of all individuals.

   - Example: Historical Male Dominance:

   - Many societies were historically male-dominated.

Women's Struggle for Dignity:

   - Women's prolonged struggles highlight the need for respect and equal treatment.

Democratic Values:

   - Recognition that respecting and treating women equally is vital in a democratic society.

Ongoing Challenges:

   - Despite principles, women still face disrespect, but legal recognition aids their fight against it.

Democracy vs. Non-Democracy:

   - In non-democratic setups, the legal and moral force for gender equality might be absent.

Caste Inequalities in India:

   - Democracy strengthens the claims of the disadvantaged and discriminated castes for equal status and equal opportunity (fight against caste inequalities).

   - Despite progress, caste-based inequalities persist, lacking strong moral and legal foundations.

   - Recognition in a democratic system encourages citizens to value their rights.

Expectations in Democracy: A Continuous Evaluation

Dynamic Criteria: Expectations from democracy serve as ongoing evaluation criteria.

Endless Tests: Successful completion of one test in democracy generates new challenges.

Evolution of Demands: As people benefit, they seek more improvements, fostering an evolving democratic process.

Feedback Loop: Public opinions about democracy showcase continuous expectations and criticisms.

Citizen Empowerment: Dissatisfaction signifies democratic success, highlighting citizen awareness and critical assessment of power holders.

Transformative Dissent: Complaints reflect the transformation from subjects to citizens, showcasing democratic maturation.

Belief in Impact: Modern individuals see their vote as influential, shaping both government actions and personal interests.