Outcomes of Democracy: Class 10 Notes Simplified

Embark on a captivating journey to explore the fruits of democracy in this comprehensive guide to Outcomes of Democracy Class 10 Notes Simplified. Designed to complement your understanding of Chapter 5 in your Class 10 Political Studies syllabus, this blog post will equip you with the essential knowledge to excel in your upcoming CBSE board exams.

This blog post also provides you with valuable resources to enhance your learning experience:

• Downloadable PDF of comprehensive notes: Access a clear and concise summary of key concepts for offline study.
• Engaging explanations and examples: Deepen your understanding with insightful analysis and real-world illustrations.
• Solid foundation for exam preparation: Strengthen your knowledge and confidence to tackle your exams with ease.

So, grab your notebooks, open your minds, and get ready to unlock the secrets of successful democracies!

Subject	Social Science (Political Science)
Class	10
Board	CBSE and State Boards
Chapter No.	5
Chapter Name	Outcomes of Democracy
Type	Notes
Session	2024-25

"The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra."

- Jimmy Johnson

Outcomes of Democracy Class 10 Notes

How do we assess democracy’s outcomes?

Common features of democracies

• Regular elections: In a democratic government, general elections are held to elect a new government.
• Right to vote: All the citizens of the country, of and above a certain age, have the right to vote.
• Political parties: political parties are an essential part of democracy. They put up candidates who contest the election.
• Rule of law: Another common feature of all democracies is that it ensures rule of law. Law is supreme and all citizens are equal in the eyes of law. No one is above the law.

Democracy is a better form of government when compared with dictatorship or any other alternative form of government

• Promotes equality among citizens.
• Enhances the dignity of the individual.
• Improves the quality of decision-making.
• Provides a method to resolve conflicts.
• Allows room to correct mistakes.

Accountable, responsive, and legitimate government

The most basic outcome of democracy should be:

• Accountable government
• Responsive government.

A democratic government is efficient and effective Or, The cost of time that democracy pays is perhaps worth it

• Imagine a government that may make decisions very fast. But it may take decisions that are not accepted by the people and may, therefore, face problems.
• In contrast, the democratic government will take more time to follow procedures before arriving at a decision.
• However, because it has followed procedure, its decisions may be more acceptable to the people and more effective. So, the cost of time that democracy pays is perhaps worth it.

A democratic government develops mechanisms for citizens to take part in the decision-making process. For these free and fair elections, open debate on major policies, legislation, and the right to information is there in good democracies. Therefore, democracies are called accountable governments.

Democracy is a responsive government. It is responsive to the needs and expectations of the citizens. It makes policies for the welfare of the citizens.

The right or means to examine the process of decision-making is called transparency.

Democracy is based on the idea of deliberation and negotiation

• Democracy gives importance to deliberation and public opinion.
• The democratic government will take more time to follow procedures before arriving at a decision.
• Its decisions may be both more acceptable to the people and more effective.
• Democracy ensures that decision-making will be based on norms and procedures.
• Transparency as persons have the right and the means to examine the process of decision-making.
• It follows procedures and is accountable to the people.
• The democratic government develops mechanisms for citizens to hold the government accountable.
• The democratic government follows mechanisms for citizens to take part in decision-making whenever they think fit.

A democratic government is a legitimate government. It is elected by the people and people wish to be ruled by the representatives elected by them.

A democratic government referred to as a legitimate government

• A democratic government is called a legitimate government because it is the people’s own government.
• There is great popular support for the idea of democracy all over the world.
• People wish to be ruled by representatives elected by them.
• Democratic government is attentive to the needs and demands of the people.

Democracy’s ability to generate its own support is itself an outcome that cannot be ignored

• Democracy ensures that decision-making will be based on norms and procedures.
• Every citizen has the right and means to examine the process of decision-making.
• Democratic governments are accountable, legitimate, and transparent governments.
• People have the right to choose their rulers.
• Democracy gives its citizens the right to information about the government and its functioning.
• A democratic government is the people’s own government and it is run by the people.

Economic growth and development

Relationship between democracy and the economic growth of a country

• During the last 50 years, dictatorships have shown a slightly higher rate of economic growth compared to democracies.
• But many other factors determine the economic growth of a country like – population size, global situation, cooperation from other countries, economic priorities adopted by the country, etc.
• So even when there is a nominal difference in the rate of economic growth between countries under dictatorship and democracy, it is better to prefer democracy as it has several other positive outcomes like dignity and freedom of citizens.

Relationship between democracy and development

• Democracies are expected to produce development.
• Development depends upon many factors, i.e., the size of the population, global situation, cooperation from other countries, etc. In democracies, time is taken to discuss and reach a decision. So, it is slow, but it is not unjust or inappropriate.

Reduction of inequality and poverty

• Democracies are based on political equality and all individuals have an equal role in electing representatives.
• However, parallel to the process of bringing individuals into the political arena, we find growing economic inequalities.
• A small number of ultra-rich enjoy a highly disproportionate share of wealth and incomes, while the poor find it difficult to fulfill their basic needs of life like food, shelter, and clothing.
• The poor constitute a high proportion of our voters and no party would like to lose their votes.
• However, democratically elected governments do not appear to be keen to address the problem of poverty as people may expect.

Accommodation of social diversity

• Democracies develop a procedure to conduct their competition. This reduces the possibility of these tensions becoming explosive or violent.
• No society can fully and permanently resolve conflicts among different groups. But we can certainly learn to respect these differences and can evolve a mechanism to negotiate these differences.
• The ability to handle social differences, divisions, and conflicts is a definite plus point of democratic regimes.
• Example: Belgium has successfully negotiated differences among its ethnic population. This reduces the possibility of tensions.

Two conditions necessary to ensure that democracy accommodates social diversity

• It is necessary to understand that democracy is not simply ruled by majority opinion. The majority always needs to work with the minority so that governments function to represent the general view.
• It is also necessary that rule by the majority does not become rule by the majority community in terms of religion or race or linguistic group, etc.
• Rule by majority means that in the case of every decision or in the case of every election, different persons and groups may and can form a majority.

Dignity and freedom of the citizens

Democracy assure the dignity of women and prevent caste inequalities

• In the case of the dignity of women, most societies across the world were historically male-dominated societies.
• Long struggles by women have created some sensitivity today that respect for and equal treatment of women are necessary ingredients of a democratic society.
• That does not mean that women are actually always treated with respect. But once the democratic principle is recognized, it becomes easier for women to wage a struggle against what is now unacceptable legally and morally.
• Democracy in India has strengthened the claim 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 moral and legal foundations.

Reasonable outcomes that one may expect from democracy

• A democratic government can be expected to be an accountable, responsive, and legitimate government.
• Democracy accommodates social diversity and ensures peace and harmony in society.
• Democracy promotes the dignity and freedom of the individual.

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