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WHAT WILL WE LEARN FROM THIS CHAPTER?
• This lesson explores the role of democracy, its expected
outcomes, and its fulfilment in real life.
• It discusses the assessment of these outcomes, including
government quality, economic well-being, inequality,
social differences, conflict, and freedom and dignity.
HOW DO WE ASSESS DEMOCRACY’S
OUTCOMES?
• In Chapter 2 of Class IX textbook, students in Madam
Lyngdoh's class debated democracy, concluding that it is
a superior form of government compared to
dictatorship.
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.
Most people support democracy over alternatives like monarchy
or military rule, but not many are satisfied with its practice.
This dilemma prompts us to consider whether we prefer
democracy for moral reasons or prudential reasons, examining
the outcomes of democracy.
Over 100 countries worldwide practice democratic politics,
including formal constitutions, elections, parties, and citizen
rights.
These democracies differ significantly in social situations,
economic achievements, and cultures, making it difficult to
predict what can be achieved or not.
• Our fascination with democracy often leads us to believe it can
solve all socio-economic and political problems.
• However, if expectations aren't met, we may blame democracy
or doubt its existence.
• Recognizing democracy as a form of government creates
conditions for achieving goals, not a solution.
ACCOUNTABLE, RESPONSIVE AND
LEGITIMATE GOVERNMENT
• Democracy ensures people have the right to choose and control
their rulers, allowing citizens to participate in decision-making.
The ultimate goal is a government accountable and responsive
to citizens' needs and expectations.
The question of whether democratic government is efficient or
effective is often raised, as non-democratic rulers can be quick
and efficient in decision-making and implementation, while
democracy relies on deliberation and negotiation, which may
lead to delays.
A fast government may face problems due to unpopular
decisions, while a democratic government takes more
time to follow procedures, making its decisions more
effective and acceptable to the people.
Democracy ensures decision-making based on norms and
procedures, providing citizens with the right to scrutinize the
process, a transparency often absent in non-democratic
governments.
Democracy results in a government that follows procedures, is
accountable to the people, and develops mechanisms for citizens
to hold the government accountable and participate in
decision-making.
Democracies measure their performance based on regular, free,
and fair elections, open public debate on major policies, and
citizens' right to information about the government. However,
most democracies fall short in providing fair elections and
subjecting decisions to public debate.
Democratic governments have a poor record in sharing
information with citizens, but they are generally better than any
other democratic regime in this regard.
Democracy should provide a government that is responsive to the
needs and demands of the people, but democracies often fail to
meet these expectations due to their history of corruption, and
there is no evidence that non-democracies are less corrupt or
more sensitive.
Democratic government is superior as it is legitimate, despite its
slowness, efficiency, and lack of responsiveness, leading to
widespread global support for this idea.
South Asia demonstrates support for democracy in both
democratic and non-democratic countries, as people desire
elected representatives and believe it's suitable for their country.
ECONOMIC GROWTH AND
DEVELOPMENT
• Democracies are expected to produce good governments, but
evidence shows many do not meet this expectation in practice.
• The study suggests that a country's economic growth rates
under dictatorship and democracy are significantly different,
suggesting that democracy offers numerous other positive
outcomes.
Between 1950 and 2000, dictatorships had slightly higher
economic growth rates than democracies. However, democracy's
inability to achieve higher development depends on factors like
population size, global situation, cooperation, and economic
priorities.
The economic development rates between dictatorships and
democracies in less developed countries are negligible, and while
democracy may not guarantee economic growth, it can prevent
lag.
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ECONOMIC OUTCOMES OF
DEMOCRACY
•Democracies often involve passionate arguments, appealing
to deep values. However, some debates can be resolved using
facts and figures.
The debate on the economic outcomes of democracy has been
fuelled by extensive research by democracy students to
understand the relationship between economic growth and
inequalities.
THE TABLES AND THE CARTOON
HERE PRESENT SOME OF THE
EVIDENCES:
You can see in the cartoon, there
is often inequality of
opportunities available to the
poorer sections.
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
• 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
Table 2 shows that within better in this
democracies there can be very high
• respect.
degree of inequalities.
Reduction of inequality and poverty
Democracies are expected to reduce economic disparities, but
whether wealth distribution is fair and equal for all citizens, or
if economic growth leads to increased inequalities?
Democracies promote political equality, with equal
representation for all individuals. However, economic
inequalities persist, with the ultra-rich enjoying disproportionate
wealth and income, while the bottom class struggles with
declining incomes and basic needs.
Democracies struggle to reduce economic inequalities, as seen in
India and Bangladesh. The poor, who make up a significant
portion of voters, are often overlooked by elected governments.
In some cases, people are dependent on rich countries for food
supplies.
ACCOMMODATION OF SOCIAL DIVERSITY
Democracies are expected to foster peaceful and harmonious
social life, as they accommodate social divisions and develop
procedures to manage competition, reducing the risk of tensions
becoming explosive or violent.
Society cannot resolve conflicts among different groups, but we
can respect and negotiate differences. Democracy is best suited
for this, as non-democratic regimes often suppress internal social
differences.
BUT THE EXAMPLE OF SRI LANKA REMINDS US THAT
A DEMOCRACY MUST FULFIL TWO CONDITIONS IN
ORDER TO ACHIEVE THIS OUTCOME:
Democracy requires collaboration between majority and
minority opinions, as both are not permanent and governments
function to represent the general view.
Rule by majority should not become rule by majority community
based on religion, race, or linguistic group. It means that in every
decision or case, rule by majority should be applied equally.
Dignity and freedom of the citizens
Democracy promotes individual dignity and freedom, fostering
respect and freedom among individuals. It addresses conflicts
and promotes respect, a principle recognized globally in
democracies.
Recognizing equal rights in societies built on subordination and
domination is challenging, but has been achieved in various
degrees in various democracies.
Historically male-dominated societies, women's long struggles
have created sensitivity for equal treatment in democratic
societies.
Recognizing this principle makes it easier for women to fight
against unacceptable legal and moral practices.
Democracy in India has strengthened the claims of disadvantaged
and discriminated castes for equal status and opportunity,
ensuring individual freedom and dignity.
Caste-based inequalities and atrocities persist, lacking moral and
legal foundations. Recognition and democratic expectations value
citizens' democratic rights and serve as criteria for judging
democratic countries.
Democracy's distinctiveness lies
in its continuous examination,
as its benefits continuously
improve.
People constantly seek more and seek better ways to improve
democracy, resulting in numerous expectations and complaints.
People's complaints demonstrate
the success of democracy, as they
demonstrate awareness and
critical thinking towards power
holders, transforming them from
subjects to citizens.
Most people today believe that their vote
significantly impacts the government's
management and their own self-interest.
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