Outcomes of Democracy Class 10 Social Science Revision Notes

Class 10 Notes

Please see Outcomes of Democracy Class 10 Social Science Revision Notes provided below. These revision notes have been prepared as per the latest syllabus and books for Class 10 Social Science issues by CBSE, NCERT, and KVS. Students should revise these notes for Chapter 7 Outcomes of Democracy daily and also prior to examinations for understanding all topics and to get better marks in exams. We have provided Class 10 Social Science Notes for all chapters on our website.

Chapter 7 Outcomes of Democracy Class 10 Social Science Revision Notes

Outcomes of Democracy Class 10 Social Science Revision Notes

Key Points

1. Accountability – An accountable government is answerable to its citizens. It is responsible for all the decisions it makes on behalf of its citizens.

2. Political equality is that the equal right should be given to vote and also to contest in election irrespective of caste, creed, religion, economic status.

3. Democracy
(i) promotes equality among citizens
(ii) Enhances the dignity of the indivisual
(iii) lmproves the quality of decision-making
(iv) Provides a method to resolve conflicts
(v) Allows rooms to correct mistakes.

4. Electorate – Group of people who have right to vote in an election.

5. Sovereignty – Supreme power of the state to take decisions in the internal as well as external matters.

6. Legitimate Government- Legitimate government is a government under which law and action of the government are revealed to the people and government function in a transparent manner.

7. Bye election/bypoll- is an election used to fill an office that has become vacant between general elections.

8. Dictatorship – form of government in which one person or a small group possesses absolute power without effective constitutional limitations.

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

10. Democracy stands much superior to any other form of government in promoting dignity and freedom of the individual.

11. Transparency- A citizen who wants to know if a decision was taken through the correct procedures can find this out. She has the right and the means to examine the process of decision making. This is known as transparency.

How do We Assess Democracy’s Outcomes?
Democracy is a better form of government than dictatorship in the following respects:
• 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.

Democracy Produces Accountable, Responsive and Legitimate Government
People have the right to choose their rulers and they have control over their rulers. Citizens can participate in decision-making. Thus, democracy produces a government that is accountable to the citizens, and responsive to the needs and expectations of the citizens.
Democracy ensures that decision-making is based on norms and procedures. Therefore, a citizen who wants to know if a decision was taken through the correct procedures can find out this information.
Citizens can take part in decision making whenever they want.
A democratic government is the people’s own government. People wish to be ruled by representatives elected by them.

Economic Growth and Development
Economic development depends on several factors: the country’s population size, global situation,
cooperation from other countries, economic priorities adopted by the country, etc. There is a significant
difference in the rates of economic growth between countries under dictatorship and democracy.
Therefore, democracy is preferred as it has several positive outcomes.

Economic Outcomes of Democracy
The following points show the relationship of democracy with economic growth and economic inequalities.
1. Dictatorial regime has had a slightly better record of economic growth. However, when we compare their record only in poor countries, there is virtually no difference.
2. There can be a very high degree of inequalities within democracies.
3. There is often inequality of opportunities available to the poorer sections of the society.

Reduction of Inequality and Poverty
All individuals have equal weight in electing representatives. In the process of bringing individuals into the political arena on an equal footing, we find growing economic inequalities.
• A small number of ultra-rich enjoy a highly disproportionate share of wealth and incomes.
Their share in the total income of the country has been increasing.
• Those at the bottom strata of the society have very little to depend upon. Their incomes have been declining.
In actual life, democracies do not appear to be very successful in reducing economic inequalities.

Accommodation of Social Diversity
No society can fully and permanently resolve conflicts among different groups. However, we can learn to respect these differences and we can evolve mechanisms to negotiate the differences. Democracy is best suited to produce this outcome. Ability to handle social differences, divisions and conflicts is a plus point of democratic regimes. However, democracy must fulfil 2 conditions in order to achieve this outcome:
1. The majority always needs to work with the minority so that governments function to represent the general view.
2. Rule by majority means that in case of every decision or in case of every election, different persons and groups may and can form a majority.

Dignity and Freedom of the Citizens
Democracy stands much superior to any other form of government in promoting the dignity and freedom of the individual. The passion for respect and freedom are the basis of democracy. Let us take the case of the dignity of women. The long struggles by women have created some sensitivity that respect and equal treatment of women are necessary ingredients of a democratic society. The same is true of caste inequalities. Democracy in India has strengthened the claims of the disadvantaged and discriminated castes for equal status and equal opportunity.
Most individuals today believe that their vote makes a difference to the way the government is run and to their own self-interest. Democratic examination never gets over. As it passes one test, it produces another test. As people get some benefits of democracy, they ask for more and want to make democracy even better. The fact that people are complaining is itself a testimony to the success of democracy.

Source Based Question

Question. Read the source given below and answer the questions that follows:

Source: Dignity and Freedom of the Citizens

Democracy stands much superior to any other form of government in promoting dignity and freedom of the individual. Every individual wants to receive respect from fellow beings. Often conflicts arise among individuals because some feel that they are not treated with due respect. The passion for respect and freedom are the basis of democracy. Democracies throughout the world have recognised this, at least in principle. This has been achieved in various degrees in various democracies. For societies, which have been built for long based on subordination and domination, it is not a simple matter to recognise that all individuals are equal. Take the case of dignity of women. Most societies across the world were historically male dominated societies. Long struggles by women have created some sensitivity today that respect to 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 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.

(i) Why does democracy stand much superior to any other form of government?
Answer : Democracy stands much superior to any other form of government in promoting dignity and freedom of the individual. Every individual wants to receive respect from other fellow beings and if they do not get. Conflicts arise.

(ii) How are respect and equal treatment of women necessary ingredients of a democratic society?
Answer : Respect and equal treatment of women are necessary ingredients of a democratic society in the following ways: 
(i) Economic independence or independence or access to an inherited or self-generated income is considered the major means of empowering women.
(ii) This provide equal political and civil rights as men.

(iii) In which type of societies, it is not easy to recognise that all individuals are equal.
Answer : It is not easy to recognise that all individuals are equal in the societies, which have been built because of subordination and domination.

VERY SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

Question. How many countries of the world are not under democratic government or have no democracy even today?
Answer : At least one-fourth of the world countries are not under democratic governments.

Question.What is the kind of challenge in Saudi Arabia where women are not allowed to take part in public activities?
Answer : Challenge of expansion.

Question. What is a foundational challenge? State one example.
Answer : Foundational challenge is related to making the transition to democracy and then instituting democratic government. This involves bringing down the existing non-democratic regimes, keeping military away from controlling government.

Question.What is the challenge of deepening of democracy? Give examples.
Answer : The challenge of deepening of democracy involves strengthening of the institutions and practices of democracy e.g., institutions that help people’s participation and control, to bring down the control and influence of the rich.

Question. What is a challenge?
Answer : A challenge is a difficulty that carries within it an opportunity for progress. Once we overcome a challenge, we go up to a higher level than before.

Question. What are the ways and means for political reforms in India? Mention any two.
Answer :
1.To think of legal ways of reforming politics.,
2. To strengthen political practice.

Question. What are different types of challenges that are being faced today?
Answer :
1. Foundational challenge.
2. Challenge for expansion.
3. Challenge of deepening of democracy.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

Question. ‘Democracy accommodates social diversities.’ Support the statement with examples.
Answer : Democracy accommodates social diversities in the following ways.
• Democracy develops competitive attitude: Democracy develops a procedure to conduct competition among social classes. This reduces the possibility of conflicts and social tensions.
• Democracy evolves mechanisms to negotiate: No society can fully and permanently resolve conflicts among different groups, but we can certainly learn to respect this difference and can also evolve mechanisms to negotiate the differences. Democracies are best suited to produce this outcome.
• Democracy represents the general view: Democracy ensures that the majority should not make the government but it should have the representation of minority as well.

Question.‘A democratic government is a legitimate government.’ Support the statement with arguments.
Answer : A democratic government is a legitimate government because of the following reasons.
• It may be slow, less efficient or not always responsive or clean, but it is people’s own government.
• It has planned institutions and practices for its functioning, such as:
1. Free and fair elections.
2. Regular public debates.
3. Right to information to citizens.
4. Planned legislations.
• In a democracy, decisions are taken in a very transparent manner citizens have the chance to examine the process of decision-making.

Question. What is the challenge of expansion? Give example.
Answer : The challenge of expansion involves applying the basic principles of democratic government across all regions, different social groups and-various institutions,
2. Examples are greater power to local governments and representation to women and minorities,extension of federal principles to all the units of the federation.
3. This also means less arid less decisions should remain outside the arena of democratic control,
4. Most of the countries including India and democracies like the US face this challenge.

Question. ‘Democratic governments in practice are known as accountable.’ Support the statement.
Answer :
Democratic governments in practice are known as accountable because
• People have the right to choose their representatives and they have control over the rulers.
• if these elected representatives do not work properly, people have a chance to not elect them in the next election.
• People have the right to examine the decision-making process. The Right to Information enables the people to run a check on the government.

Question. “The challenge of deepening of democracy is faced by every democracy in one form or another.” Support the statement with suitable examples.
Answer :
1. The challenge of deepening of democracy involves strengthening of the institutions and practices of democracy.
2. This challenge is being faced by every democracy in one form or the other.
3. This should happen in such a way that people can realise their expectations of democracy.
However, ordinary people have different expectations from democracy in different societies.
4. This challenge takes different meanings and paths in different parts of the world.
5. In general terms, it usually means strengthening those institutions that help people’s participation and control.

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

Question. How do democratic governments ensure transparency? Explain any three points. 
Answer :
1. Democracy ensures that decision-making will be based on norms and procedures. Therefore, a citizen, who wants to know if a decision was taken through the correct procedures, can find out as democracy guarantees to the citizens the right and the means to examine the process of decision-making.
2. In a democracy, people have the right to choose their rulers and people will have control over them. Whenever possible and necessary, citizens should be able to participate in decisionmaking that affects them all. Thus, it ensures transparency by producing a government that is accountable to the citizens and is responsive to their needs and expectations.
3. It is right to expect democracy to produce a government that follows procedures and is accountable to people. To do so, the democratic government develops mechanisms for citizens— regular, free and fair elections, open public debate on major policies and legislations and citizens’ right to information about the government and its functioning.

Question. Analyse any three values that make democracy better.
Answer :
We feel that democracy is a better form of government than any other form of government because:
1. Democracy promotes equality among citizens.
2. It enhances dignity of individual. It promotes dignity of women and strengthens the claims of the disadvantaged.
3. It improves the quality of decision-making. There is transparency in a democracy.
4. It provides methods to resolve conflicts.
5. Democracy allows room to correct mistakes.

Question. Explain the role of democratic governments in reducing economic disparities.
Or
“Democracies do not appear to be very successful in reducing economic inequalities”. Examine the statement with examples.
• Answer :
Over the years, careful evidence has been gathered to see what the relationship of democracy with economic growth and economic inequalities is.
• It is seen that on an average dictatorial regimes have had a slightly better record of economic growth, i. e., and 4.34%. However, when we compare their record only in poor countries (4.28%), there is no difference.
• There is enough evidence to show that within democracies there can be very high degree of inequalities. In 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.
Perhaps more than development, it is reasonable to expect democracies to reduce economic disparities.
Democracies are based on political equality, but despite equality in the political arena there are growing economic inequalities. The poor constitute a large proportion of our voters and no party would like to lose its votes. Yet democratically elected governments do not appear to be keen to tackle the problem of poverty.
Democracies are expected to produce good government, but there is no guarantee that they would also produce development. As evidence shows, the economic development depends on several factors, such as country’s size, global situation, co-operation from other countries, economic priorities adopted by the country etc.

Question. How do democracies accommodate social diversity? Explain with examples.
Or
Explain the conditions in which democracies are able to accommodate social diversities.
Or
“Democracies lead to peaceful and harmonious life among citizens”. Support the statement with suitable
Answer :
No society can fully and permanently resolve conflicts among different groups. However, we can certainly learn to respect these differences and evolve a mechanism to negotiate the differences.
Belgium is an example of how successfully differences were negotiated among ethnic groups.
Therefore, democracy is best suited to accommodate various social divisions as it usually develops a procedure to conduct their competition. However, the example of Sri Lanka shows how distrust between two communities turned into widespread conflict, and thus a democracy must fulfil the following two conditions in order to achieve a harmonious social life:
1. Majority and minority opinions are not permanent. Democracy is not simply rule by majority opinion. The majority needs to work with minority so that government may function to
represent the general view.
2. Rule by majority does not become rule by majority community in terms of religion or race or linguistic groups, etc.
3. Democracy remains democracy so long as every citizen has a chance of being in majority at some point of time. No individual should be debarred from participating in a democracy on the basis of religion, caste, community, creed and other such factors..

Question. ‘Democracy is seen to be good in principle, but felt, to be not so good in practice.’ Justify the statement with suitable arguments.
Answer :
If we look at some of the democratic policies being implemented in more than one hundred countries of the world, democracy seems to be good. For example, having a formal Constitution, holding regular elections, guaranteeing the citizens certain rights, working for the welfare of the people, etc. make us advocate that democracy is good.
However, if we look in terms of social situations, their economic achievements and varied cultures, we find a very big difference in most of the democracies. The vast economic disparities, social injustice based on discrimination, standard of life, sex discrimination, etc. create many doubts about the merits of democracy. Whenever some of our expectations are not met, we start blaming the idea of democracy.
Since democracy is a form of government, it can only create conditions for achieving our goals if they are reasonable.

Question. How is democracy accountable and responsive to the needs and expectations of the citizens? Analyse.
Answer : A democracy is concerned with ensuring that people have the right to choose their rulers and have control over the rulers:
• Whenever possible and necessary, citizens should be able to participate in decision-making in a democracy.
• Democracy ensures that decision-making is based on norms and procedures. A citizen has the right and the means to examine the process of decision-making. Thus, democracy entails transparency.
• For a democracy to produce an accountable, responsive and legitimate government, it must ensure the following:
• Regular, free and fair elections.
• Open public debate on major policies and legislations.
• Citizens’ right to be informed about government policies.
• A government free from corruption.

Question. “Democracy is seen to be good in principle but felt to be not so good in practice.” Justify the statement.
Answer : If we look at some of the democratic policies being implemented in more than one hundred countries of the world, democracy seems to be good. For example, having a formal Constitution, holding regular elections, guaranteeing the citizens certain rights, working for the welfare of the people etc. make us advocate that democracy is good.
However, if we look in terms of social situations, their economic achievements and varied cultures, we find a very big difference in most of the democracies. The vast economic disparities, social injustice based on discrimination, standard of life, sex discrimination, etc. create many doubts about the merits of democracy. Whenever some of our expectations are not met, we start blaming the idea of democracy.

Question. “Democratic government is legitimate government?” Support the statement with arguments.
Answer : Democratic government is a legitimate government. It may be slow, less efficient, not always very responsive or clean. However, a democratic government is peoples’ own government. That is why there is an overwhelming support for the idea of democracy all over the world. People’s wish to be ruled by representatives elected by them. As a democratic government is peoples’ own government, they believe that democracy is suitable for their country as it is a legitimate government. Democracy’s ability to generate its own support is itself an outcome that cannot be ignored.

Question. Why do we feel that democracy is a better form of government than any other form of government? Explain.
Or
How do you feel that democracy is better than any other form of government?
Explain.
Or
“Democracy is more effective than its other alternatives.” Justify the statement.
Answer : We feel that democracy is a better form of government than any other form of government because:
1. Democracy promotes equality among citizens.
2. It enhances dignity of individual. It promotes dignity of women and strengthens the claims of the disadvantaged.
3. It improves the quality of decision-making. There is transparency in a democracy.
4. It provides methods to resolve conflicts.
5. Democracy allows room to correct mistakes.

Question. “Democracy accommodates social diversities.” Support the statement with examples.
Answer : “Democracy accommodates social diversities” in the following ways:
1. Democracies develop a procedure to conduct their competition. This reduces the possibility of these tensions becoming explosive or violent.
2. No society can fully and permanently resolve conflicts among different groups. However, we can certainly learn to respect these differences and can evolve mechanism to negotiate these differences.
Example, Belgium has successfully negotiated differences among ethnic population. This reduces the possibility of tensions.
3. Ability to handle social differences, divisions and conflicts is thus a definite plus point of democratic regimes.

Question. On the basis of which values will it be a fair expectation that democracy should produce a harmonious social life? Explain.
Answer : No society can fully and permanently resolve conflicts among different groups. However, we can certainly learn to respect these differences and evolve a mechanism to negotiate the differences.
Belgium is an example of how successfully differences were negotiated among ethnic groups.
Therefore, democracy is best suited to accommodate various social divisions as it usually develops a procedure to conduct their competition. However, the example of Sri Lanka shows how distrust between two communities turned into widespread conflict. Thus, a democracy must fulfil the following conditions and be based on these values in order to achieve a harmonious social life—
1. Majority and minority opinions are not permanent. Democracy is not simply rule by majority opinion. The majority needs to work with minority so that government may function to
represent the general view.
2. Rule by majority does not become rule by majority community in terms of religion or race or linguistic groups, etc.
3. Democracy remains democracy so long as every citizen has a chance of being in majority at some point of time. No individual should be debarred from participating in a democracy based on religion, caste, community, creed and other such factors.

Question. Why do we feel that democracy is a better form of government than any other form? Explain.
Answer : Democracy is a better form of government than any other form because:
1. It is based on the idea of deliberation and negotiation. Thus the necessary delay in implementation.
2. Decisions are acceptable to people and are more effective.
3. A citizen has the right and the means to examine the process of decision-making. There is transparency in a democracy.
4. Democratic government is a legitimate government, people’s own government.
5. Ability to handle differences, decisions and conflicts is a positive point of democratic regimes.
6. Democracy has strengthened the claims of the disadvantaged and discriminated castes for equal status and equal opportunity.

Question. What do you understand by ‘democracy reform’ or ‘political reform’? Why a list of desirable reforms cannot be prepared? Describe broad guidelines for devising ways and means for political reforms in India? 
Answer :
(a) Generally all suggestions or proposals about overcoming various challenges to democracy are called ‘democracy reform’ or ‘political reform’.
(b) The list of desirable political reforms cannot be prepared because not all the countries have the same challenges. Thus, only broad guidelines can be devised.
(c) The broad guidelines that can be devised for political reforms in India are as given below:
(1) Legal ways:
1. Law has important role to play in political reform. However, legal constitutional changes by themselves cannot overcome challenges to democracy.
2. Democratic reforms are to be carried out mainly by political activists, parties, movements and politically conscious citizens.
3. Care should be taken in making laws because some laws may result in denial of political opportunity to the people. For example, the law banning people who have more than two children from contesting panchayat elections has such effect. A large number of poor people and women could not seek election.
4. The best laws are those, which empower people to carry out democratic reforms. For example, the Right to Information Act empowers the people to find out what is happening in government.
It acts as a watchdog of democracy. Such laws help to control corruption and supplements the existing laws that banned corruption and imposed strict penalties.
(2) Reforms through political practice: Reforms should be made through political practice e., by increasing and improving the quality of political participation by ordinary citizens.
(3) Reforms keeping in mind their implementation: At the time of proposals for reform it should be kept in mind that how it will be implemented. We cannot expect that the legislature will pass an act that goes against the interests of all the political parties and MPs/MLAs. Thus, the measures that rely on democratic movements, citizens’ organisations and media are likely to succeed.

Question. “Most destructive feature of democracy is that its examination never gets over.” Support the statement with appropriate arguments.
Answer : Suitable arguments:
1. As people get some benefits of democracy, they ask for more.
2. People always come up with more expectations from the democratic set up.
3. They also have complaints against democracy.
4. More and more suggestions and complaints by the people is also a testimony to the success of democracy.
5. A public expression of dissatisfaction with democracy shows the success of the democratic project.

Question. “An ideal government would not only keep itself away from corruption but also make fighting corruption and black money a top priority”. Justify the statement.
Answer : The values attached to the above statement signify the following practices and institutions:
• Regular free and fair elections, open public debate on major policies and legislation and citizens’
right to information about the government and its functions.
• An ideal government in a democracy follows procedures and is accountable to the people.
• A citizen has the right and the means to examine the process of decision-making. This is known
as transparency.
• An ideal government is attentive and responsive to the needs and expectations of the people and
is largely free of corruption as it is a legitimate government. It is peoples own government.

Outcomes of Democracy Class 10 Social Science Revision Notes