Outcomes of Democracy

Outcomes of Democracy

By Mr. Siddharth Chandrasekar

Why is Democracy a better form of Government ?

1. Democracy promotes equality among people

2. Enhances the dignity of the individual3. Improves the quality of decision

making4. Provides a method to resolve conflicts5. Allows room to correct mistakes

Why is Democracy a better form of Government ?

6. It is a legitimate Government7. It is slow, less efficient and not very

responsive or clean8. It is people’s own Government9. It has its own ability to generate its

own support

What are the outcomes of Democracy ?

• Democracy is just a form of Government• It can only create conditions for

achieving something• Citizens have to take advantage and

achieve goals

What are the things that a Democracy must provide?

1. People have the right to choose rulers and people have control over rulers

2. People’s participation in decision making3. Government should be accountable to

citizens, responsive to the needs and expectations of the citizens

4. Democracy is based on the idea of deliberation and negotiations

5. Cost of time that democracy pays is worth it

What are the things that a Democracy must provide?

6. Government has to follow procedures and its decisions must be both more acceptable and effective

7. Democracy develops mechanisms for citizens to hold the Government accountable and take part in decision making

8. Democracy ensures that decision making will be based on norms and procedures

9. Democracy provides transparency

Measurement of Democracy as per their Outcome…

• Regular, free and fair elections• Open public debate on major policies and

legislations • Citizen’s right to information about the

Government and its functioning

Tainted Records…

• Fall short of elections that provide a fair chance to everyone and in subjecting every decision to public debate

• Sharing information with citizens

• Frustrate the needs of the people

• Corruption

What can we expect from the Government?

• We can expect the Government to be attentive to the needs of the people and their demands and at the same time the Government has to be free of corruption

Economic Growth & Development…

• 1950 – 2000 : Dictatorships have higher rate of Economic growth

Economic development depends on several factors:

• Country’s population size

• Global situation

• Cooperation from other countries

• Economic priorities adopted by the country

Democracy does not appear to be successful in reducing economic inequalities...

• A small number of ultra rich enjoy a highly disproportionate share of wealth and income

• Their share in total income is increasing• People at the bottom of society have very

little to depend on

Outcomes of Democracy…

Political equality• All individuals have equal weight in electing

representatives

Accommodation of Social Diversity• Democracy is the best government to respect

differences and evolve a mechanism to negotiate differences

• Example : Belgium


Majority to work with Minority• Rule by majority means that in case of every

election, different persons and groups may and can form majority

• No discrimination

Dignity & freedom of individuals• Passion for respect and freedom are the

basis of democracy


Dignity of Women• Gaining some sensitivity due to long

struggles• Respect to and equal treatment of women

are necessary• Once if it is recognised, it is easier for women

to wage a struggle

Mention the steps taken to reduce the effects of casteism in Democracy…

• In India, democracy has strengthened the claims of the disadvantaged and discriminated castes for equal status and opportunity

• Reservation in jobs and in educational institutions

• Constitutional provisions for safeguarding the interests of minorities, weaker sections and backward classes

• It is the recognition that makes ordinary citizens value their democratic rights


• Success of democracy comes with more expectations and complaints from people which indirectly indicates participation

• People have developed awareness and ability to expect and look critically at power holders

Documents

Outcomes of Democracy