unit: iii- outcomes of democracy - nims · web viewoutcomes of democracy accountable,...

CBSE -i CLASS X- POLITCAL SCIENCE

STUDENTS’ MANUAL

UNIT: III- OUTCOMES OF DEMOCRACY

CONTENT: Accountable, Responsive and Legitimate Government. Reduction of inequality and Poverty. Accommodation of social diversity. Dignity and freedom of citizen Conclusion

SCOPE

The aim of this chapter is to build an understanding that right, freedom, equality &

accountability which are essential components of democracy provide the more

suitable conditions for people to enjoy a life with dignity and economic prosperity.

However in terms of outcome the idea of democracy does not bear the same fruits in

all democratic systems. This is because the availability of political rights, education,

economic opportunities and will of political leaders varies in all democratic countries

e.g. democratic system in USA and in western European countries like UK,

Germany, France etc. have been more successful in providing dignified life to their

citizens. Same is true for Scandinavian countries namely Denmark, Norway, Finland

etc. and also for Japan whereas democracies like Bangladesh lies on the other

extreme. However democratic system in India, Brazil and South Africa has produced

mixed outcomes. Although democracy offers opportunities for citizens for

participation and taking part in policy making but its outcomes cannot be taken as for

granted because every country has different group of peoples and they influence

public policies in different manner. So outcome of democracy in different countries

are different.

Democracy as a form of government is a rule based on the consent of the people.It

implies that the ultimate authority of the government is vested in the common people

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so that the policy is made to conform to the will of the people and to serve the

interest of the people.

This chapter is organized as follows

Section- 1- Recent trends in democratisation and recognized the need to evaluate the

functioning of Democracy.

Section- 2 - Role played by democracy in reduction of Poverty.

Section -3- Acquire knowledge as to how democracy helps in accommodation of social

diversity.

Section-4 - Analyses the conditions under which democracies promote dignity and freedom

of individuals.

Section- 5 - Draws conclusions and spells out implications for policy.

OUTCOMES OF DEMOCRACY

ACCOUNTABLE, RESPONSIVE AND LEGITIMATE GOVERNMENT

Accountable- Democracy ensures that decision making will be based on norms and

procedures and if anybody wants to know if the decision is taken through the correct

procedure or not he/she can find it out because in democracy people have the right

and means to examine the procedure of decision making. This is known as

Transparency. Nondemocratic government does not provide this feature. So, if we

are trying to find out the Outcomes of democracy we must accept that democracy is

a type of government that follows procedure and is acceptable to the people. It also

develops a mechanism for citizens to take part in decision making.

How can we say that democracy produces an accountable government?

‘Accountability’ means that if you are accountable to someone for something that

you do then you are responsible for it and must be prepared to justify your actions.

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Democracy produces a responsible government because public officials can finally

be held accountable for their actions. It further creates condition for responsible

government in the sense that its actions are open to scrutiny and criticism by the

legislative that has ability to remove it from power.

Government responsiveness to mass preferences is fundamental to most conceptions of democracy. If someone or something is responsive then he/she

reacts quickly and favorably. In this matter democratic government is always ready

to react quickly and in favor of the people than any other type of the government.

We all expect that the democratic government would be attentive to the needs and

demands of the people and it should be largely free of corruption but it is not fair to

expect such a high degree of quality because other forms of the government are also

not free of corruption as Mr.Jawahar Lal Nehru says “Democracy is good. I say this

because other systems are worse”.

Democratic government is certainly better than its alternatives. This government is

legitimate and it is people’s own government. That is why everybody supports the

idea of democracy.

Legitimacy:- The concept of legitimacy entails justification in terms of the prescribed

norms and procedures. The term ‘Legitimacy’ has been derived from the Latin word

‘legitimara’ meaning ‘to declare lawful’. It broadly means rightfulness to secure

legitimacy the Govt. has to justify its actions in terms of law. This ensures the social

acceptance and effective implementation of rules, policies and decisions.

(A). EVALUATION OF DEMOCRACY

According to Abraham Lincoln Democracy is a “Government of the people, for the people and by the people”. All governments claim that they are the ‘government of

the people’ but most of the governments keep people under control to raise taxes

from them in order to run machinery of the government and to prevent the integrity

and security of the country against all forces inside and outside the country.

Democratic government is a better government as it promotes equality among

citizens, enhances the dignity of individuals, improves the equality of decision –

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making, provides a method to resolve conflicts and allows room to correct mistake.

The outcomes of democracy may differ from nation to nation because it depends

upon the social situations, economic achievements and the culture of the nation. But

it produces: Accountable, Responsive and, legitimate government

The most important outcome of

democracy is that it produces a

government that is accountable to

citizens. Since democracy is

based on the idea of deliberation

and negotiations decision making

may take some time. In

democracy decision making is

based on norms and procedures,

its decisions will be more

acceptable and effective for the

people. The following measure

can be helpful in measuring

favourable outcomes of

democracy-

1. Regular, free and fair

elections

2. Open public debate on major policies and legislatures

3. Citizen’s right to information about the governments and its functioning Source : Political Science by N.D. Arora (Tata McGraw Hill)

.

DEMOCRACY IN USA

Conditions essential for the success of Democracy.

Social: - Social justice, social unity,

social education.

Economic: - Economic equality &

economic security.

Political:- An atmosphere of liberty,

equality, justice, rule of law, periodic

and free elections, free press impartial

judiciary, rights and liberties of people.

Moral: - Duty bound, concern for

common interest, honesty-for the ruler

and the ruled.

Intellectual: Common sense, toleration,

openness, adaptiveness, flexibility

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The United States has been supporting democracy abroad for many decades. From

Woodrow Wilson’s efforts following World War- I to the reconstruction of Germany

and Japan after World War II, U.S. policymakers have aimed to create a world of

democratic nations. During the Cold War and the current war on terrorism, efforts to

foster democracy have been inconsistent or have clashed with other strategic goals,

but the U.S. commitment to the growth of democracy abroad has been repeatedly

expressed. Over the past 25 years, the United States has made assistance for the

development of democracy in other nations is a key element of its national security

policy.

In recent years democracy assistance has become not merely a goal for diplomacy

(although it remains that) but an increasingly frequent practical problem. A host of

international and multilateral donor agencies and even military forces (both NATO

and U.S.) have taken on the task of helping build democracies in highly challenging

environments, including authoritarian and semi authoritarian states, recently

emerging and transitional democracies, and societies scarcely out of, or even in the

midst of, violent conflicts (e.g., Ukraine, Bosnia, Egypt, Afghanistan, Iraq, Haiti,

Democratic Republic of the Congo). U.S. efforts to assist the spread of democracy

encompass a host of activities: diplomatic pressures, trade sanctions, and economic

development aid, military and political support for democratic forces or in some

cases (e.g., Zaire, Philippines) withdrawal of support for dictators

Practice: - Worksheet 1

REDUCTION OF INEQUALITY AND POVERTY

Democracy provides fair share to every citizen

in the distribution of natural resources. It is

based on political equality. It also tries to

gives almost equitable distribution in

production and income.

But if we look at the actual facts we will find

that there are wide ranges of inequalities in

democracy. Figure 1

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A small proportion of population enjoys high share in income while large population

has to live with very small share. In Africa, top 20% people have 60% share in

income and bottom 20% people have less than 3% share in total income. In

Bangladesh more than half of the population lives in poverty and the situation is not

very encouraging in India and Brazil. Whereas result are mixed in nature in India and

Srilanka

However, democracy has almost eliminated poverty in USA and Western European

countries. In democratic setup only Economic inequality and disparity in society can

be minimized, poverty and unemployment could be checked. In various democracies

‘Right to employment’ is given to its citizens.

Practice: Worksheet II

ACCOMMODATION OF SOCIAL DIVERSITY

Almost every country in the world is a

heterogeneous society. People differ from

each other in terms of cast, religion, race and

language etc. And democracy considered

being the most suitable form of government to

accommodate various diversities because in

democracy equal rights and opportunities are

given to every citizen

Figure 2

No society can fully and permanently resolve conflicts among different citizens but

we can certainly learn to respect these difference and we can also evolve the

mechanism to negotiate these differences. Belgium is an example of how these

differences were accommodated in citizens.

How Social diversity can be accommodated in different societies?

Some European countries are facing wide spread fear about immigrants, ethnic and

religious diversity. Countries are facing problem in recognizing the maintenance of

group difference and formation of ethno-culture and religious communities. New type

of culture has emerged in the world which is called ‘multiculturalism’ but this

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integration is not an easy task and countries find great responsibilities to develop this

kind of culture.

Arguments against multiculturalism

It leads to segregation

It leads to welfare dependency

Emigrants do not feel the responsibility.

It focuses on the cultural right of groups rather than the rights of an individual.

It concentrates on ‘ethnicculturalism The social diversity can be accommodated by

Mutual Accommodation

Multiculturalism can be achieved to mutual

accommodation but it cannot be achieved

within a day because in this process the

debate on recognition, family, relations,

women and children will also arise. It is

desirable that all the cultures should

participate in creation of climate of trust and

brotherhood. Democracy in India has been

evolving in positive direction in terms of

multicultural values.

Figure 3.

Practice: Worksheet III

DIGNITY AND FREEDOM OF THE CITIZENS

Every society is different in terms the religions followed,

language spoken and the culture of the people. There can be

people of different castes, cultures, and religion in a country,

but it is only in a democracy that equal treatment is given to all

the individuals. Democracy accommodates all the social

diversity by guaranteeing dignity and freedom to all the

citizens.

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Source: Google Images

Take for example the case of women. For a long time, they were denied equal

rights, justice, dignity and freedom, but democracy has ensured all these to

women. Now the principle of individual freedom and dignity has a legal as well as

a moral force.

Take another example the conflict among various ethnic groups are minimized

by giving them adequate representation in the government in different parts of the

world it is also ensured that the rule of the majority is not by those who are in

majority just in a number. The majority group needs to work in harmony with the

minority group to ensure that interest and concern of every group are represented

in the government.

(a) Equality of Women

Figure6

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. 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

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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.

Efforts to fight inequality

World bodies have defined gender equality in terms of human rights, especially

women's rights, and economic development. UNICEF defines gender equality as

"leveling the playing field for girls and women by ensuring that all children have equal opportunity to develop their talents."

The United Nations Population Fund has declared that women have a right to

equality. "Gender equity" is one of the goals of the United Nations Millennium

Project, to end world poverty by 2015; the project claims,"Every single Goal is

directly related to women's rights and societies where women are not afforded equal

rights as men can never achieve development in a sustainable manner." Thus,

promoting gender equality is seen as an encouragement to greater economic

prosperity. For example, nations of the Arab world that deny equality of opportunity

to women were warned in a 2008 United Nations-sponsored report that this

disempowerment is a critical factor crippling these nations' return to the first rank of

global leaders in commerce, learning and culture.

In 2010, the European Union opened the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) in Vilnius, Lithuania to promote gender equality and to fight sex discrimination

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(b) Caste Inequalities

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. Perhaps it is the

recognition that makes ordinary citizens

values their democratic rights.

figure7

RIGHTS IN THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH AFRICA

Equality

Everyone is equal before the law and has

the right to equal protection and benefit of

the law.

Human dignity Everyone has inherent dignity and the right to have their dignity respected and

protected

Life Everyone has the right to life.

Freedom and security of the person Everyone has the right to freedom and security of the person, which includes

the right

Everyone has the right to bodily and psychological integrity, which includes the

right Slavery, servitude and forced labour,No one may be subjected to

slavery, servitude or forced labour.

Privacy

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Everyone has the right to privacy

Freedom of religion, belief and opinion Everyone has the right to freedom of conscience, religion, thought, belief and

opinion.

Religious observances may be conducted at state or state-aided institutions,

provided that

Freedom of expression Everyone has the right to freedom of expression, which includes

freedom of the press and other media;

freedom to receive or impart information or ideas;

freedom of artistic creativity; and

Academic freedom and freedom of scientific research.

FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS IN CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

Fundamental Rights in constitution of India has granted

citizens of the country to live with dignity and freedom.

Fundamental rights of the citizens are too liberal that

there is too little that a citizen of this great country can

complain about. Fundamental rights are protected by

Supreme Court.

There are SIX fundamental rights in the constitution of India and they are

*Right to equality (Articles 14-18)

*Right to freedom (Articles 19-22)

*Right to freedom from exploitation (Articles 23-24)

*Right to freedom of religion (Articles 25-28)

*Cultural and educational rights (Articles 29-30)

*The right to constitutional remedies (Article 32)

*Right to Property (7th F.R deleted since 44th amendment,1978)

*Right for equalitya)Equality before law: Everyone is treated equally before law. No privileges to

anyone.

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b) Equal protection of the law: All people are governed and protected by law

equally. No exception to President or Governor.

*Right to freedoma) Freedom of speech and expression: Everyone has a right to express his/her

opinions freely, by orally , writing, pictures or electronic media or in any other

manner.

b) Freedom to Assemble: People have the rights to assemble and hold

demonstrations, take out processions, conduct public meetings etc, on Religious

or non-religious matters.

c) Freedom to form associations or unions: People have rights to form

associations or unions and continue them.

D) Freedom of Movement and residence: Ensures every citizen the freedom to

move anywhere in the country.

e) Freedom of Reside and settle: Guaranties every citizen the freedom to settle in

any part of the country.

f) Freedom of Profession: Every citizen is free to practice any profession, any

occupation, trade or business.

*Cultural and educational rightsGuarantees the rights of any sections of citizens residing in any part of India

having language, scripts or culture of its own, to conserve the same.

*Right to constitutional remediesa) Grants freedom to move the Supreme Court in case of violation of fundamental

rights.

B) Supreme Court to issue writs for enforcement of any of the rights

Some important fundamental rights guaranteed by different constitutions

- Every person has the right to an adequate standard of living and the continuous improvement of living conditions.-Every person has the right to the highest level of physical and mental health, and rights to access all resources needed to maintain a high level of health including:

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The right to adequate food and nutrition The right to clean water The right to sanitation The right to health care

-Every person has the right to an education directed to the full development of the human personality.

Rights that directly relate to economic growth and development include:

-The right to adequate work and appropriate working environment. Meaning every person has the right to work and receive a fair monetary wage for work.

-The right to work in a safe environment.

-The right to equal pay for equal work with no difference based on sex, or race.

Humans have the right to participate in making decisions regarding their right to development through:

-The right to self-determination. This right includes free political opinion and the ability to choose how each person wishes to pursue his/her own economic, social and cultural development.

-The right to dispose of wealth and resources however they see fit, and no person can be deprived of his/her means of subsistence.

-The right to technical and scientific knowledge especially in regard to improved production, conservation and distribution of food.

-The right to information regarding the most efficient development and use of natural resources.

-The right to enjoy the improvement of all aspects of environmental and industrial hygiene to maintain health and well-being.

-The right to be an active participant and beneficiary of the right to development.

The right to development strongly recognizes that all people are equal and should be treated equally in their access and enjoyment of resources and means to improve and continue personal development.

Children have the right to a standard of living that promotes full development of their physical,

mental, spiritual and social capacities. Specifically children have the right to have access to

nutrition, clothing, housing and an education that provides them with the tools needed to

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sustain an adequate standard of living. Children have the right to protection from harsh

working conditions that interfere with their ability to enjoy any of the aforementioned rights,

and therefore limit their development.

Women have the right to work and enjoy equal pay, benefits, and opportunities for

advancement. Women have the right to protection from discrimination in the workplace due to

pregnancy. Women have the right to obtain loans, mortgages, and credit that may further their

economic development. In rural areas women are assured participation and access to the

benefits of rural development through participation in the development planning process;

access to education and technical training; the right to organize groups to develop economic

opportunity; equal treatment and consideration in land and agrarian reform, and land

resettlement.

Right to equal protection under the law Right to freedom of thought Right to freedom of speech and press Right to freedom of association Right to freedom of movement within the country Right to vote in general election Right to direct a child's upbringing Right to privacy Right to marry Right to property Right to freedom of contract by parties with proportional bargaining power

Practice: Worksheet IV & V

Summary

Expectations from democracy also function as the criteria for judging any democratic

country. What is most distinctive about democracy is that its examination never gets over. As

democracy 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. That is why when

we ask people about the way democracy functions, they will always come up with more

expectations, and many complaints. The fact that people are complaining is itself a

testimony to the success of democracy: it shows that 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

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equal_protection

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_contract

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Property

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marry

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Privacy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vote

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_movement

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_press

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_speech


STUDENTS’ MANUAL

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.

*************************************************************************************

WORKSHEET 1

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Accountable, Responsive and Legitimate Government.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. The basic outcome of democracy is that it produces a government that is

a. Accountable to the citizens

b. Accountable to the monarch

c. Accountable to the dictator

d. none

2. Some people think that democracy produces less ____________________ government.

a. effective

b. efficient

c. ineffective

d. none

3. Democracy is based on the idea of __________ and _____________.

a. deliberation and negotiation

b. Negotiation and discussions.

c. discussions and deliberations

d. none

4. Democracies ensure that decision making will be based on.

a. Norms and Procedures

b. Normal Procedures

c. Norms of the Government

d. None

5. Democratic government develops____________________ for citizens to hold the

government Accountable.

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a. Mechanism

b. Machinery

c. Organization

d .None

WORKSHEET II- Reduction of Inequality and Poverty.

Short Answer-I

1. Relate democracy and political equality.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________

2. Recognized the importance of poor population in democracy.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________

3. Name the country where top 20% have 60% share in income.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________

4. Name the country where more than half of the population lives in poverty.

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___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________

5. Find the reason why poor countries are still dependent on rich countries?

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________

WORKSHEET III- Accommodation of Social diversity.

Short Answer Type - II

1. Differentiate between homogeneous and heterogeneous society.

_________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

2. Suggest some ways by which social diversity can be accommodated?

_________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

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_________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

3. Write merits and demerits’ of democratic regimes.

_________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

4. Evaluate the rule of Majority.

_________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

WORKSHEET IV: Dignity and freedom of citizen

Long Answer Type

1. Assess the conditions of women of women in various societies of the world.

_________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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_________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

2. Assess the ways by which conflicts can be accommodated among the various ethnic

groups

______________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

3 . Discuss the ways by which democracy can be strengthened.

_________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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_________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

Worksheet - V

Discuss the following quotes in your class and write your opinion on the statements

1. We expect anything and everything from democracies but if some of our

expectations are not met, we start blaming the idea of democracy.

2. Democracy is good. I say this because other systems are worse. - Nehru

3. Democracy’s ability to generate its own support is itself an outcome that can’t be

ignored

4. The cost of time the democracy pays in decision making is perhaps worth it.

5. Democracy is remedy to all problems.

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WEB REFERENCE

Source : Figure 1 http://www.thp.org/node/1738

Figure 2, 4,6,7,8 : http//google.co.in/images?

Figure 3. http://healeylibrary.wikispaces.com/NURSNG+613

Figure-5 http://www.italymag.co.uk/italy/gender/italian-men-and-women-will-

reach-equality-2601

www.wikipedia.com

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http://www.italymag.co.uk/italy/gender/italian-men-and-women-will-reach-equality-2601

http://www.italymag.co.uk/italy/gender/italian-men-and-women-will-reach-equality-2601

http://healeylibrary.wikispaces.com/NURSNG+613

http://www.thp.org/node/1738


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