This document discusses the various outcomes of democracy and how they can be assessed. It examines whether democracies live up to expectations in areas like accountable governance, economic growth, inequality and poverty reduction, accommodation of social diversity, and individual dignity and freedom. While democracies generally perform better than authoritarian regimes in establishing accountable and legitimate systems of government, their records are mixed in other areas. They do not always ensure responsive leadership or significantly reduce economic disparities. And they only accommodate diversity and protect freedoms when certain conditions are met, like guaranteeing minority rights and preventing domination by a single community. Overall, the document analyzes democracy both in theory and practice, noting where it has succeeded and fallen short of expectations.

1. OUTCOMES OF
DEMOCRACY

2. How Do We Assess
Democracy’s Outcomes?
INDEX
1
Accountable, Responsive And
Legitimate Government
2
Economic Growth And Development
3
Reduction Of Inequality And Poverty
4
Accommodation Of Social Diversity
5
Dignity And Freedom Of The Citizens
6

3. HOW DO WE ASSESS
DEMOCRACY’S
OUTCOMES?

4. Democracy is a better form
of government when
compared with other forms.

5. Why democracy is better?
● 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.

6. But, are these
expectations
realised under
democracies?

7. But most people are
dissatisfied with
democracy in practice.
Most people support
democracy against other
alternatives, such as rule
by a monarch or military
or religious leaders.

8. Democracy is seen to be good in
principle but not so good in its
practice.

9. Over a 100 countries of the world today
claim and practice some kind of
democratic politics:
➔ they have formal constitutions,
➔ they hold elections,
➔ they have parties and
➔ they guarantee rights of citizens.
While these features are common to
most of them, these democracies are
very much different from each other.

10. Democracies are very much different from
each other in terms of their social, economic
& cultural achievements.
Democracy in different countries have varied
outcomes. It can only create conditions for
achieving something.
The citizens have to take advantage of those
conditions and achieve those goals.

11. Analyse three values that make
democracy better.
CBSE 2017
Values that can make democracy better are:
1. Providing equality among citizens.
2. The dignity of an individual can be
enhanced only in a democracy.
3. A democratic government improves the
quality of decision making it may be both
more acceptable to the people and more
effective.
4. It provides a method to resolve conflicts
and produce a harmonious life among
citizens.

12. ACCOUNTABLE,
RESPONSIVE AND
LEGITIMATE
GOVERNMENT

13. 1. Democracy is concerned with people
choice.
2. In democracy citizens should be able
to participate in decision making, that
affects them all.

14. Most basic outcome of democracy
It produces a government that is
accountable to the citizens, and
responsive to the needs and
expectations of the citizens.

15. Is Democratic Government
Efficient?

16. ● Some people think that democracy
produces less effective government.
● It is, of course, true that non-democratic
rulers do not have to bother about
deliberation in assemblies or worry about
majorities and public opinion.
● Hence, their decision making &
implementation is quick & effective.
However, democracy is based on the idea
of deliberation & negotiation.

17. Allowing citizens to know if
a decision was taken
through the correct
procedures .
Democratic government
ensures that all the decisions
are made following proper
norms and procedures.
ACCOUNTABLE

18. TRANSPARENCY
It means that the government must
provide information about its
activities and governance to its
citizens that is accurate, complete
& made available in a timely way.
Transparency enables
accountability.

19. EXAMPLE
In India- Right to Information Act,
2005. The act empowers citizens to get
timely response from the government.
It promotes transparency &
accountability in the working of
government.

20. ● Democracy develops a mechanism
for citizens to hold the government
accountable and to take part in
decision making whenever they think
fit.
● To measure democracy on this
outcome we should look for the
following practices:
- Regular, free & fair election;
- Open Public Debates;
- Right to information
● However, democracies seldom
disappoints in furnishing the
information with the citizens.

21. Actual Performance of Democracy
➔ Democracy shows a mixed record:
though it has greater success in
holding regular & fair elections &
setting up open public debates, it
however fails in providing a fair
chance to everyone & subjecting
every decision to public debates.
➔ Democratic governments do
not have a very good record
when it comes to sharing
information with citizens.

22. It is reasonable to expect a
democratic government to be
attentive to the needs and
demands of the people & that it is
corruption free.
RESPONSIVE

23. The record of democracies not impressive
Frustrate
the needs
of the
people
Ignores the
demand of
majority the
population

24. There is nothing to show
that non-democracies
are less corrupt or more
sensitive to the people.
Democracy is not
free from the evil
of corruption.

25. People wish to be ruled by
representatives elected by
them.
Democracy is people’s
government and hence
legitimate.
LEGITIMATE
Democracy’s ability to
generate its own support
is itself an outcome that
cannot be ignored.

26. 62
28
10
Democracy is preferred over
dictatorship everywhere except
Pakistan
South Asia

27. Democracy is based on the idea of deliberation
and negotiation’. Examine the statement.
CBSE 2019
Democracy is based on the idea of deliberation and
negotiation
1. Democracy gives importance to deliberation &
public opinion.
2. The democratic government will take more time
to follow procedures before arriving at a
decision.
3. Its decisions may be both more acceptable to
the people & more effective.
4. Democracy ensures that decision making will be
based on norms & procedures.
5. Transparency as persons have the right & the
means to examine the process of decision
making.

28. ECONOMIC GROWTH
AND DEVELOPMENT

29. If democracies are expected to
produce good governments, then is
it not fair to expect that they would
also produce development?

30. Evidence shows that in
practice many democracies
did not fulfil this
expectation.

31. ❏ Between 1950 and 2000, dictatorships have
slightly higher rate of economic growth.
However, this cannot be the sole reason to
reject democracy.
❏ Country’s economic growth depends on
the following reasons:
-Country’s population size;
-Global situation;
-Cooperation from other countries, etc.
❏ However, the difference in the rates of
economic development between less
developed countries with dictatorships
and democracies is negligible.

33. Table shows that within democracies there can be very high
degree of inequalities. In democratic countries like South Africa
and Brazil, the top 20% people take away more than 60% of the
national income, leaving less than 3% for the bottom 20%
population. Countries like Denmark and Hungary are much better
in this respect.

34. Rates of economic growth for different
countries, 1950-2000
Types of regimes and countries Growth rate
All democracies regimes
All dictatorial regimes
Poor countries under dictatorship
Poor countries under democracy
3.95
4.42
4.34
4.28
Table 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.

35. REDUCTION OF
INEQUALITY AND
POVERTY

36. Reduce economic
disparities.
More than development, democracies are
expected to reduce economic disparities:
Equitable distribution of
wealth
Just distribution of goods &
opportunities

37. EQUALITY
Political equality
All individuals have
equal weight in
electing
representatives.
Economic equality
Provision of equal
opportunities to all
so they may be able
to make their
economic progress.

38. Those at the bottom of the society have
declining income & unable to meet their basic
needs.
Small number of ultra-rich enjoy
disproportionate share of income & wealth.
Democracies fails in reducing economic
inequality.
Democracies are based on political equality.

39. In actual life, democracies
do not appear to be very
successful in reducing
economic inequalities.

40. EXAMPLE
● Poor constitute a large proportion of
voters.
● No party wants to lose their votes.
● Yet, the democratic government turns
a blind eye towards the poverty issue.
● Situation more worse in other
countries.
● In Bangladesh, more than half of its
population lives in poverty.
● Poor completely depends on rich for
food & supplies.

41. World’s Wealth Owned by a Few

42. ACCOMODATION OF
SOCIAL DIVERSITY

43. Do democracies
lead to peaceful
and harmonious
life among
citizens?

44. It will be a fair expectation
that democracy:
Accommodate
various social
divisions.
It produce a
harmonious
social life.
Provides
mechanism to
resolve conflicts
among different
groups.

45. ❖ Democracy is best suited to accommodate
different social groups.
❖ It develops certain mechanism to reduce the
tensions between various social divisions.
❖ Non-democratic regimes turn a blind eye to
or suppress internal social differences.
❖ Ability to handle social differences, divisions
and conflicts is thus a definite plus point of
democratic regimes.

46. But do you remember the
example of Sri Lanka, it
reminds us that a
democracy must fulfil two
conditions in order to
achieve this outcome.

47. 1. Democracy is not simply rule by
majority opinion.
The majority always needs to work with the
minority.
Majority and minority opinions are not
permanent.

48. 2. Rule by majority does not become
rule by majority community.
It means that in case of every decision or in case of
every election, different persons and groups may &
can form a majority
Democracy remains democracy only as long as every
citizen has a chance of being in majority at some
point of time.
If someone is barred from being in majority on the
basis of birth, then the democratic rule ceases to be
accommodative for that person or group.

49. DIGNITY AND
FREEDOM OF THE
CITIZENS

50. The passion for respect
and freedom are the basis
of democracy.
Democracy stands much
superior to any other form of
government in promoting
dignity and freedom of the
individual.

51. ● Democracies throughout the world
have recognised this, at least in
principles.
● 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.

52. Case of Dignity of Women
Most societies across the world were historically
male dominated societies.
Struggle by women- created some sensitivity
today that respect & equal treatment of women
are necessary ingredients of a democratic
society.

53. ➔ This does not mean that women are
actually always treated with respect.
➔ But once the principle is recognised, it
becomes easier for women to wage a
struggle against what is now
unacceptable legally and morally.
➔ In a non-democratic set up, this
unacceptability would not have legal
basis because the principle of
individual freedom and dignity would
not have the legal and moral force
there.
The same is true of caste inequalities.

54. ❖ Democracy in India has strengthened the
claims of the disadvantaged and
discriminated castes for equal status and
equal opportunity.
❖ There are still instances of caste based
inequalities and atrocities, but these lack the
moral and legal foundations.
❖ Recognition makes ordinary citizens value
their democratic rights, which is absent in
non-democratic regimes.

55. ● One distinctive feature of democracy is
that it’s examination never gets over as it
passes one test it produces another one.
● As people get some benefits of democracy,
they ask for more and want to make
democracy even better, resulting in higher
expectations & complaints.
● The fact that people are complaining is
itself a testimony to the success of
democracy.

57. ❏ People have developed awareness and the
ability to expect and to look critically at
power holders and the high and the
mighty.
❏ A public expression of dissatisfaction with
democracy shows the success of the
democratic project: it transforms people
from the status of a subject into that of a
citizen.
❏ Most individuals today believe that their
vote makes a difference to the way the
government is run and to their own
self-interest.

58. Do democracies lead to peaceful and harmonious life
among citizens? Clarify.
CBSE 2017
1. Non-democratic regimes often turn a blind eye to or
suppress internal social differences. Ability to handle
social differences, divisions & conflicts is thus a definite
plus point of democratic regimes.
2. But the example of Sri Lanka exhibits that a democracy
must fulfil two conditions in order to achieve this
outcome:
● That democracy is not simply rule by majority opinion.
The majority always needs to work with the minority so
that governments function to represent the general view.
● That rule by majority does not become rule by majority
community in terms of religion or race or linguistic
group, etc.
It also provides:
1. Methods to resolve conflicts
2. Certain rights to citizens
3. Protects minorities.

59. PYQs

60. ‘There is an overwhelming support for
the idea of democracy all over the
world.’ Support the statement.
CBSE 2015
1. A democratic government is people’s own
government. Thus it is legitimate form of
government.
2. It promotes equality among citizens.
3. It improves the quality of
decision-making.
4. It provides room for correction of
mistakes.
5. It has the ability to generate its own
support.

61. NCERT
Questions

62. How does democracy produce an accountable, responsive and legitimate government?
Democracy produces an accountable government in the following ways.
1. A democratic government ensures that people are able to choose their leaders
and keep a check on them.
2. In an accountable government, people have the right to elect the leaders to form
government and if possible they participate in the decision-making process.
Democracy produces a responsive government in the following ways.
1. Democracy produces a responsible government which is responsible for
satisfying the needs and aspirations of people.
2. It promotes the formation of public opinion, needs and expectations of the
citizens.
Democracy produces an legitimate government in the following ways.
3. A democratic government is a legitimate government, as it is elected by citizens
and enjoys the confidence and trust of the citizens.
4. People have the right to choose their rulers and they have control over their
rulers. Citizens can participate in decision making.

63. What are the conditions under which democracies
accommodate social diversities?
Democracy is more than just majority rule. The majority
must constantly work for the minority.
1. Minority and majority must work together to
express general opinions in democratic
government.
2. It is critical that majority rule does not become
majority rule in terms of linguistic group, colour, or
religion, etc.
3. One of the primary goals of democracies should be
to foster a harmonious social life.
4. Democracy rejects all forms of discrimination
against citizens based on caste, religion, colour,
sex, race, and so on. It caters to all social
differences.
5. Democratic Governments are in a better position to
reduce and handle conflicts, divisions and
differences.

64. Homework
Questions

65. 1. Democracy can lead to
A. Handle social differences
B. Secular society
C. Harmonious social life
D. All of the above

66. 2. Assertion: Democracy is a legitimate
government.
Reason: Regular free and fair elections are
the spirit of democracy.
A. Both A & R are true and R is correct
explanation of A
B. Both A & R are true, but R is not the correct
explanation of A
C. A is true, but R is false
D. A is false, but R is true

68. Rule of law is the feature of which form of
government?
A. Democracy
B. Dictatorship
C. Monarchy
D. Aristocracy

69. Rule of law is the feature of which form of
government?
A. Democracy
B. Dictatorship
C. Monarchy
D. Aristocracy

70. Which of these do not hold true for
non-democratic regimes?
A. These do not have to bother about public
opinion
B. Principle of individual dignity has legal
force
C. These take less time at arriving at a
decision
D. These often suppress internal social
differences

71. Which of these do not hold true for
non-democratic regimes?
A. These do not have to bother about public
opinion
B. Principle of individual dignity has legal
force
C. These take less time at arriving at a
decision
D. These often suppress internal social
differences

72. Which among the following countries is the
perfect example of accommodation of
social diversity?
A. Sri Lanka
B. Saudi Arabia
C. Pakistan
D. Belgium

73. Which among the following countries is the
perfect example of accommodation of
social diversity?
A. Sri Lanka
B. Saudi Arabia
C. Pakistan
D. Belgium

74. On which of the following pair of factors,
economic development does not depend?
A. Country’s population size and global
situation
B. Cooperation from other countries and
country’s economic priorities
C. Global situation and resources available in
the country
D. Both (A) & (B)

75. On which of the following pair of factors,
economic development does not depend?
A. Country’s population size and global
situation
B. Cooperation from other countries and
country’s economic priorities
C. Global situation and resources available in
the country
D. Both (A) & (B)

76. Which country tops in the inequality of
income?
A. UK
B. Hungary
C. Russia
D. South Africa

77. Which country tops in the inequality of
income?
A. UK
B. Hungary
C. Russia
D. South Africa