Very Short Answer Questions (VSA) 1 Mark

Question 1.
Why do people blame democracy?
Answer:
Sometimes we expect everything and anything from democracy. Our interest in and fascination for democracy often pushes us in taking a position that democracy can address all socio-economic and political problems. If some of our expectations are not met, we start blaming the idea of democracy. Or we start doubting if we are living in a democracy.

Question 2.
What is the most basic outcome of democracy?
Answer:

1.    The most basic outcome of democracy should be that it produces a government that is accountable to the citizens, and responsive to the needs and expectations of the citizens.

2.    The democracy must be responsive to the needs and wishes of the people.

Question 3.
Decision making in a democracy takes time: Why?
Answer:

1.    Democracy is based on the idea of deliberation and negotiations. So, decision-making process is little delayed.

2.    But the non-democratic governments do not have to think about majority decision and public opinion. So, they take little time in decision making and implementation.

Question 4.
While trying to find out its outcomes, what is expected from democracy?
Answer:
When we are trying to find out the outcomes of democracy, it is right to expect democracy to produce a government that follows procedures and is accountable to the people. We can also expect that the democratic government develops mechanisms for citizens to hold the government accountable and mechanisms for citizens to take part in decision making whenever they think fit.

Question 5.
If you wanted to measure democracies on the basis of their expected outcome, which qualifications would you look for?
Answer:
If we wanted to measure democracies on the basis of its expected outcome, we would look for the following practices and institutions:

1.    Regular, free and fair elections;

2.    Open public debate on major policies and legislations; and

3.    Citizens right to information about the government and its functioning.

Question 6.
Economic development of a country depends on several factors. Name such a few factors:
Answer:
Economic development of a country depends on several factors:

1.    Country’s population size

2.    Global situation

3.    Cooperation from other countries

4.    Economic priorities adopted by the country.

Question 7.
Is it true that democracies have not been very successful in reducing economic exploitation?
Answer:
It is a fact that democracies do not appear to have been successful in reducing economic inequalities. But it is only possible in a democracy that people can raise their voice against not only economic inequalities but also all types of inequalities. The government has to make sincere efforts to reduce and remove such inequalities.

Question 8.
The table shown below mentions the rates of economic growth for different countries between 1950-2000 Study the table carefully and draw your own conclusion.

Type of regimes and countries	Growth Rate
Alt democratic regimes	3.95
All dictatorial regimes	4.42
Poor countries under dictatorship	4.34
Poor countries under democracy	4.28

Answer:

1.    Between 1950-2000, on an average dictatorial regime had a slightly better record of economic growth as compared to democratic regimes.

2.    But if their record is compared to poor countries only, we find negligible difference of 0.06%.

Question 9.
Do democracies lead to peaceful and harmonious life among citizens?
Answer:
It will be a fair expectation that democracy should produce a harmonious social life. Belgium has successfully negotiated among different ethnic populations. Democracies usually develops a procedure to conduct their competition. This reduces the possibility of these tensions becoming explosive or violent.

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

1.    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.

2.    Often conflicts arise among individuals because some feel that they are not treated with due respect.

3.    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.

Question 11.
What should be the prudential thinking about the outcomes of democracy?
or
What is the first step towards thinking carefully about the outcomes of democracy?
Answer:

1.    The first step towards thinking carefully about the outcomes of democracy is to recognize that democracy is just a form of government.

2.    It can only create conditions for achieving some things

3.    The citizens have to take advantage of those conditions and achieve those goals.

4.    Moreover, democracy is just not related to many other things that we value. Democracy is not a magical remedy for all our social ailments.

Question 12.
“Democracy’s ability to generate its own support is itself an outcome that cannot be ignored.” Discuss.
Answer:

1.    There is one respect in which democratic government is certainly better than its alternatives: democratic government is legitimate government

2.    It may be slow, less efficient not always very responsive or clean. But a democratic government is people’s own government.

3.    That is why there is a Asian overwhelming support for the idea of democracy all over the world.

4.    As the accompanying evidence from South Asia shows, the support exists in countries with democratic regimes as well as countries without democratic regimes.

Question 13.
The cost of time that democracy pays is perhaps worth it. Explain
Answer:

If we think in terms of costs and imagine a government that may take decisions very fast, we find that 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.

But because it has followed procedures, its decisions may be both more acceptable to the people and more effective

So, the cost of time that democracy pays is perhaps worth it.

Question 14.
Explain the challenges faced by democracy today regarding reduction of inequality and poverty.
Answer:
Democracies are based on political equality. All individuals have equal weight in electing representatives. Parallel to 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 income. Not only that. Their share in the total income of the country has been increasing.

Those at the bottom of the society have very little to depend upon. Their incomes have been declining Sometimes they find it difficult to meet their basic needs of life, such as food, clothing, house, education and health.

In actual life, democracies do not appear to be very successful in reducing economic inequalities. The poor constitute a large proportion of our voters and no party will like to lose their votes. Yet democratically elected governments do not appear to be as keen to address the question of poverty as we would expect them to.

The situation is much worse in some other countries. In Bangladesh, more than half of its population lives in poverty.

People in several poor countries are now dependent on the rich countries even for the food supplies.

Question 15.
The fact that people are complaining is itself a testimony to the success of democracy. Discuss.
Answer:

1.    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.

2.    A public expression of dissatisfaction with democracy shows the success of the democratic project: it transforms people from the status of a subject into that of a citizen.

3.    Most individuals today believe that their vote makes a difference to way the government is run and to their own self-interest.

Question 16.
How can you say that democracy has provided an opportunity for women to secure dignity?
Answer:

1.    Most societies across world were historically male-dominated societies.

2.    Long struggles by women have created some sensitivity today that respect to and equal treatment of women are necessary ingredients of a democratic society.

3.    That does not mean that women are actually always treated with respect.

4.    But once the principle is recognised, it becomes easier for women to wage a struggle against what is now unacceptable legally and morally.

5.    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 the legal and moral force there.

Question 17.
What conditions are necessary in a democracy for handling social differences, divisions and conflicts?
Answer:
People should understand that democracy is not simply rule of majority. In fact, majority needs to work with minority to represent the general view of the government.

Majority rule does not mean rule by majority community in terms of race, religion or linguistic groups.

It means that different persons and groups may and can form a majority in case of election or every decision.

Democracy remains democracy only as long as every citizen has a chance of being in majority at some point of time.

If someone is barred from being in majority on the basis of birth, then the democratic rules ceases to be accommodative for that person or group.

 

Question 18.
How can you say that democracies are based on political equality?
Answer:
Democracies are based on political equality as individuals have equal weight in electing representatives.

Question 19.
What is ‘transparency’ in a democracy?
Answer:
Democracy ensures that decision making will be based on norms and procedure. Every citizen has the right and means to examine the process of decision making. This is known as transparency.

Short Answer Questions (SA) 3 Marks

Question 20.
How do democratic governments ensure transparency? Explain any three points.
Answer:

1.    Democracy ensures that decision-making will be based on norms and procedures. So 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 decision-making 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 21.
What are the differences between democracy and dictatorship in the decision making process?
Answer:

 

Democracy	Dictatorship
(i) Based on the idea of deliberation and negotiation. Thus, the necessary delay in implementation.	(i) Do not have to bother about majorities and/or public opinion, thus can be quick and efficient in decision-making.
(ii) Decisions are acceptable to people and are more effective.	(ii) May take decisions not accepted by the people.
(iii) A citizen has the right and the means to examine the process of decision-making. There is transparency.	(iii) Transparency is missing from a non-democratic form of government. There is no acc­ountability of the government to the people.

Question 22.
“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:

1.    Regular free and fair elections, open public debate on major policies and legislation and citizens’ right to information about the government and its functions.

2.    An ideal government in a democracy follows procedures and is accountable to the people.

3.    A citizen has the right and the means to examine the process of decision making. This is known as transparency.

4.    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.

Question 22 a.
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.

1.    It is seen that on an average dictatorial regimes have had a slightly better record of economic growth, i. e., 4.34%. But when we compare their record only in poor countries (4.28%), there is no difference.

2.    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 23.
‘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.

But 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 24.
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:

1.    Whenever possible and necessary, citizens should be able to participate in decision-making in a democracy.

2.    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.

3.    For a democracy to produce an accountable, responsive and legitimate government, it must ensure the following:

A.   Regular, free and fair elections.

B.   Open public debate on major policies and legislations.

C.   Citizens’ right to be informed about government policies.

D.   A government free from corruption.

Question 25.
“Democratic government is legitimate government?” Support the statement with arguments. (2016 D)
Answer:
Democratic government is a legitimate government. It may be slow, less efficient, not always very responsive or clean. But 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 26.
“Democracy accommodates social diversities.” Support the statement with examples. (2016 OD)
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. But 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 27.
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 28.
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. But 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. But 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 on the basis of religion, caste, community, creed and other such factors.

Question 29.
Why do we feel that democracy is a better form of government than any other form? Explain. 2015OD 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 30.
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 31.
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 examples.
Answer:
No society can fully and permanently resolve conflicts among different groups. But 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. But 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 32.
Explain the ways in which democracy has succeeded in maintaining dignity and freedom of citizens.
Or,

 “Democracy stands much superior to any other form of government in promoting dignity and freedom of the individual.” Support the statement with suitable examples.
Answer:
The passion of respect and freedom are the basis of democracy:

1.    Economic disparity in society has been minimized to a great extent.

2.    In many democracies women were deprived of their right to vote for a long period of time. After long struggle they achieved their right, respect and equal treatment.

3.    Democracy in India has strengthened the claims of the disadvantaged and discriminated castes for equal states and opportunities, for example, SCs and STs.

4.    In democracy all adult citizens have the right to vote.

5.    Democracy evolves a mechanism that takes into account the differences and intrinsic attributes of various ethnic groups. In a democracy majority always needs to work taking into account the interest of the minority so that the minority do not feel alienated.

Question 33.
How is democracy a better form of government in comparison with other forms of governments? Explain.
Or,

“There is an overwhelming support for the idea of democracy all over the world.” Support the statement.
Answer:
Over a hundred countries of the world today claim and practice some kind of democratic politics.

1.    They have formal constitutions, hold elections, have parties and they guarantee rights of citizens.
Thus, in most countries, the democracy produces a government that is accountable to the citizens and responsive to the needs and expectations of the citizens.

2.    No society can fully and permanently resolve conflict among different groups. But we can learn to respect these differences and evolve mechanisms to negotiate them. Democracy is best suited as it develops a procedure to conduct competitions. Belgium is a successful example of negotiating difference among ethnic population.

3.    Passion for respect and freedom is the basis of democracy and has been achieved in various degrees in various democracies.

4.    The support for democracy is overwhelming all over the world and is evident from South Asia, where the support exists in countries with democratic as well as undemocratic regimes.

5.    People wish to be ruled by representatives elected by them as a democratic government is people’s own government and makes them believe that it is suitable for their country as it is a legitimate government.

Question 34.
“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 35.
“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.

But 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 36.
“Democracy stands much superior in promoting dignity and freedom of the citizens”. Justify the statement.
Answer:
Examples to illustrate that dignity and freedom of citizens are best guaranteed in a democracy:

(i) Dignity of women. Democracy recognizes dignity of women as a necessary ingredient of society. The one way to ensure that women related problems get adequate attention is to have more women as elected representatives. To achieve this, it is legally binding to have a fair proportion of women in the elected bodies. Panchayati Raj in India has reserved one-third seats in local government bodies for women. In March 2010, the Women’s Reservation Bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha ensuring 33% reservation for women in Parliament and State legislative bodies.

(ii) Democracy has strengthened the claims of disadvantaged and discriminated castes. When governments are formed, political parties usually take care that representatives of different castes and tribes find a place in it. Some political parties are known to favour some castes. Democracy provides for equal status and opportunities for all castes.

(iii) Democracy transforms people from the status of a subject into that of a citizen. A democracy is concerned with ensuring that people will have the right to choose their rulers and people will have control over the rulers. Whenever possible and necessary, citizens should be able to participate in decision-making that affects them all.

(iv) A citizen has the right and the means to examine the process of decision-making. There is transparency in a democracy like India. In October 2005, the Right to Information (RTI) law was passed which ensures all its citizens the right to get all the information about the functions of the government departments. In a democracy, people also have the right to complain about its functioning.