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Outcomes of Democracy – Class 10 Social Science notes, important questions and MCQs

NCERT Class 10 Social Science, chapter 17. Notes, key terms, important questions with answers and MCQs.

Chapter overview

Democracy is judged by its outcomes. It produces an accountable, responsive and legitimate government, though it may be slow in decision-making. Its record on economic growth and reducing inequality is mixed, but it does better in accommodating social diversity and in protecting the dignity and freedom of citizens.

Accountable, responsive and legitimate government

Democracy ensures that decisions are taken through a proper procedure, so citizens can check whether decisions were correct (transparency).
Regular, free and fair elections, open public debate and citizens' right to information make governments accountable.
Democratic governments may be slow and fail to meet all needs, but they are legitimate because they are the people's own governments.

Economic growth and development

Dictatorships have a slightly higher rate of economic growth on average, but the difference is small and growth depends on many factors.
Democracies have not been very successful in reducing economic inequality and poverty; the poor form a large share of voters, yet their needs are not always addressed.

Social diversity, dignity and freedom

Democracy helps accommodate social differences and allows peaceful handling of conflict, provided majority rule is not rule by a fixed majority community.
Democracy has strengthened the claims of women and disadvantaged castes for equal status and respect.
People's expectations from democracy keep rising, and their complaints show that they are aware and can criticise their government.

Key terms

Transparency: citizens' right and means to examine whether decisions were taken through the correct procedure
Legitimate government: a government that is accepted as rightful by the people, often because it is elected by them
Accountability: the obligation of the government to answer to citizens for its decisions
Dictatorship: a form of government in which one person or group holds absolute power

Important questions with answers

Why is democracy considered a legitimate government?2 marks

A democratic government is elected by the people through free and fair elections and works through proper procedures, so citizens accept it as their own government. Even if it is slow or less effective, people prefer it because it gives them a voice and a share in power.

How does democracy produce an accountable, responsive and legitimate government?3 marks

Democracy ensures that decisions are taken through set norms and procedures, and citizens have the right and means to examine how decisions are taken (transparency). Regular, free and fair elections let people remove governments that do not perform, which makes rulers accountable and responsive to people's needs. Open public debate on major policies and a free press keep the government answerable, and because the government is chosen by the people it enjoys legitimacy.

Evaluate the outcomes of democracy with respect to economic growth, inequality, social diversity and the dignity of citizens.5 marks

Economic growth: on average dictatorships have had a slightly higher rate of growth, but the difference is very small, and growth depends on population size, global conditions, cooperation from other countries and the economic priorities of the country, so democracy is not a cause of low growth. Inequality and poverty: democracies have not been very successful in reducing economic inequality; a small number of rich people enjoy a large share of wealth and the poor often find it hard to meet basic needs, although they form a large part of voters. Social diversity: democracies develop procedures to handle social differences peacefully, and no society can fully resolve conflicts, but democracy is best at accommodating them provided the majority works with minorities and majority is not fixed by religion or caste. Dignity and freedom: democracy has done best here; it has strengthened the claims of women and disadvantaged castes to equal status, and people's rising expectations and complaints show their awareness. Overall, democracy is better than other forms of government, though it must keep improving.

Quick revision

Democracy = accountable, responsive, legitimate.
Economic growth: dictatorships slightly higher, difference is small.
Inequality and poverty remain a challenge.
Dignity and freedom are democracy's strongest outcomes.

Exam tips

Answer outcome questions in five parts: accountability, economic growth, inequality, social diversity, dignity and freedom.
Give a balanced answer; mention both the strengths and the limits of democracy.

Practice MCQs

The right of citizens to examine the process of decision-making is called
1. secrecy
2. transparency
3. dictatorship
4. defection
Show answer
Answer: (b) transparency. It makes governments accountable.
A government elected by the people is considered
1. illegitimate
2. unaccountable
3. legitimate
4. military
Show answer
Answer: (c) legitimate. It is the people's own government.
Compared with dictatorships, democracies are often
1. faster in taking decisions
2. slower in taking decisions
3. unable to hold elections
4. free from debate
Show answer
Answer: (b) slower in taking decisions. Deliberation and negotiation take time.
In terms of economic growth, the book says that
1. dictatorships have a slightly higher rate of growth on average, but the difference is small
2. democracies always grow faster
3. democracies never grow
4. growth does not matter
Show answer
Answer: (a) dictatorships have a slightly higher rate of growth on average, but the difference is small. Growth depends on many factors.
Democracy accommodates social diversity best when
1. majority always means one religious community
2. elections are banned
3. minorities cannot vote
4. majority rule is not rule by a fixed majority group
Show answer
Answer: (d) majority rule is not rule by a fixed majority group. Different persons may form a majority on different issues.
Which outcome has democracy achieved most clearly
1. removal of all poverty
2. dignity and freedom of individuals
3. equal incomes for all
4. no conflicts
Show answer
Answer: (b) dignity and freedom of individuals. It strengthened claims of women and disadvantaged groups.
Why is it said that complaints by people are a testimony to the success of democracy
1. It shows people are aware and can expect and criticise
2. People want dictatorship
3. Complaints prove democracy failed
4. Only rich people complain
Show answer
Answer: (a) It shows people are aware and can expect and criticise. Awareness and the ability to criticise come from democratic values.
Which of these is a weakness of democracy discussed in the book
1. failure to reduce economic inequality significantly
2. lack of legitimacy
3. absence of elections
4. no freedom of expression
Show answer
Answer: (a) failure to reduce economic inequality significantly. The poor's needs are not always met.

All chapters of Class 10 Social Science

Written by Kundali IQ from standard, well-established facts to help with revision. This is not an official NCERT publication; always read your textbook too.