Class 10 Social Science Chapter 18 Outcomes of Democracy

Q1. Democracy is better than other forms of government because it: [CBSE 2023] [1] (a) Promotes economic growth fastest (b) Ensures dignity of citizens and resolves conflicts peacefully (c) Eliminates poverty completely (d) Has the strongest military

Ans: (b) Ensures dignity of citizens and resolves conflicts peacefully. Democracy may not always deliver the best economic results but it provides freedom, dignity, and peaceful conflict resolution.

Q2. Which of the following is a valid criticism of democracy? [CBSE 2022] [1] (a) Democracy is accountable (b) Democracy leads to delays in decision-making (c) Democracy promotes equality (d) Democracy ensures freedom

Ans: (b) Democracy leads to delays in decision-making. Because democracy requires consultation and debate, decisions take longer than in authoritarian systems.

Q3. Democracy produces an accountable government because: [CBSE 2024] [1] (a) People have no say (b) Citizens can question and participate through elections and media (c) Only rich people participate (d) Army controls the government

Ans: (b) Citizens can question through elections, media, protests, and RTI. Regular elections ensure that leaders who fail to deliver are voted out.

Q4. Transparency in a democracy means: [CBSE 2021] [1] (a) Government keeps secrets (b) Citizens have the right to information about government working (c) Only ministers know about government policies (d) Media is banned

Ans: (b) Citizens have the right to information about government working. RTI Act (2005) empowers citizens to demand information from public authorities.

Q5. Which of the following outcomes is expected from a democracy? [CBSE 2020] [1] (a) Faster economic growth than dictatorships (b) Accountable, responsive, and legitimate government (c) Complete elimination of inequality (d) No corruption at all

Ans: (b) Accountable, responsive, and legitimate government. Democracy promises dignity, equality, and peaceful conflict resolution rather than guaranteed economic outcomes.

Q6. Democracy is said to provide a legitimate government because: [CBSE 2023] [1] (a) It uses military force (b) It is based on free and fair elections (c) It is led by rich people (d) It has hereditary rulers

Ans: (b) It is based on free and fair elections. The government formed through people's mandate has legitimate authority to govern and make decisions.

Q7. Democracy is better at promoting dignity because: [CBSE 2024] [1] (a) It makes everyone rich (b) It respects individual rights and treats all citizens as equals (c) It eliminates all social divisions (d) It guarantees employment UNIQUE STUDY POINT BY SUMEET SAHU | Amitesh Nagar, Indore (M.P.) | www.uniquestudyonline.com Page 1 UNIQUE STUDY POINT BY SUMEET SAHU Class X | Social Science | Pol. Science Ch.5

Ans: (b) It respects individual rights and treats all citizens as equals before the law. Democracy upholds human dignity through fundamental rights.

Q8. Which is NOT an expected outcome of democracy? [CBSE 2022] [1] (a) Accountable government (b) Equal distribution of all resources (c) Responsive government (d) Legitimate government

Ans: (b) Equal distribution of all resources. While democracy promotes equality of opportunity, it cannot guarantee equal distribution of all economic resources.

Q9. Economic growth in dictatorships vs democracies shows: [CBSE 2021] [1] (a) Dictatorships always grow faster (b) Democracies always grow faster (c) Difference in economic growth rates is negligible (d) Neither grows economically

Ans: (c) The difference in economic growth rates is negligible. Some dictatorships have grown fast (China) but so have democracies (India). Democracy has other advantages beyond growth.

Q10. Assertion (A): Democracy is a better form of government. Reason (R): It allows people to correct their mistakes through elections. [CBSE 2024] [1] (a) Both true and (R) correctly explains (A) (b) Both true but (R) does not explain (A) (c) (A) is true but (R) is false (d) (A) is false

Ans: (a) Both true and (R) correctly explains (A). Democracy allows people to change governments through elections if they are unhappy, which is a unique self-correcting mechanism.

Q16. "Democracy is seen to be good in principle but felt to be not so good in practice." Justify. [CBSE 2024]

Ans: Democracy faces a gap between promise and practice: • In Principle: Democracy promises equality, freedom, accountability, and responsiveness. It is based on the idea that citizens should govern themselves. • Corruption: In practice, corruption, criminalization of politics, and money power undermine democratic ideals. Rich and powerful often influence outcomes. • Slow Progress: Democracy moves slowly due to debate and consultation. Citizens often feel frustrated when problems like poverty, unemployment persist. • But Still Best: Despite flaws, democracy is better than alternatives. It allows self-correction - people can vote out bad governments, protest, and demand change. • Work in Progress: Democracy is not a destination but a journey. As citizens become more aware and active, democratic institutions improve over time.

Q17. "Outcomes of democracy are evaluated on the basis of expected and actual outcomes." Explain with examples. [CBSE 2023]

Ans: Democracy must be evaluated fairly: • Accountable Government: Expected and largely delivered. Elections, media, and courts hold government accountable. RTI Act has strengthened transparency. • Economic Growth: Expected but not guaranteed. Democracies grow at rates comparable to dictatorships. However, democracies handle economic crises better. • Inequality: Expected to reduce but has not fully delivered. Economic inequality persists. However, democracy provides tools (votes, protests) to fight inequality. • Dignity: Significantly achieved. Democracy has promoted women's rights, lower caste assertion, and protection of minorities - outcomes impossible in dictatorships. • Conflict Resolution: Largely successful. India, a deeply diverse country, has managed conflicts through democratic means rather than civil wars (unlike many other countries).

Q18. How does democracy ensure dignity and freedom for its citizens? Explain with examples. [CBSE 2022]

Ans: Dignity and freedom are democracy's greatest achievements: • Individual Freedom: Fundamental rights guarantee freedom of speech, religion, movement, and assembly. Citizens can criticise the government without fear. • Women's Dignity: Democratic movements have led to laws against dowry, domestic violence, and workplace harassment. Women increasingly participate in politics. • Caste Equality: Democracy enabled lower castes to assert their rights through reservation, political mobilisation, and legal protection against untouchability. • Minority Protection: Constitutional safeguards protect religious and linguistic minorities. They have freedom to practice their culture and religion. • Self-Correction: When democracy fails to deliver dignity (as in cases of caste violence or communal riots), citizens can demand accountability through courts and elections.

Q19. "Democracies do not appear to be very successful in reducing economic inequalities." Comment. [CBSE 2021]

Ans: Economic inequality remains a challenge for democracies: • Persistent Gap: In most democracies, a small number of ultra-rich enjoy a disproportionate share of wealth and income. The gap between rich and poor has widened. • India's Reality: India is a democracy but has significant economic inequality. The top 10% own over 70% of wealth while millions live below the poverty line. • Reasons: Wealthy individuals influence political outcomes through funding parties. Government policies often favour the rich due to lobbying and political connections. UNIQUE STUDY POINT BY SUMEET SAHU | Amitesh Nagar, Indore (M.P.) | www.uniquestudyonline.com Page 3 UNIQUE STUDY POINT BY SUMEET SAHU Class X | Social Science | Pol. Science Ch.5 • Democratic Tools: However, democracy provides mechanisms to fight inequality - voting power of the poor, welfare schemes, MGNREGA, food security laws. • Comparison: Authoritarian regimes have not done better at reducing inequality. Democratic pressure has at least created safety nets and welfare programmes for the poor.

Q20. Explain why democracy is considered the best form of government despite its limitations. [CBSE 2020]

Ans: Democracy, despite limitations, remains the best system: • Accountability: No other system holds leaders accountable through regular, free, and fair elections. Bad leaders can be peacefully removed. • Freedom: Citizens enjoy fundamental rights - speech, religion, movement, equality. These rights are not guaranteed under dictatorships or monarchies. • Conflict Resolution: Democracy resolves disputes through dialogue and negotiation, not through violence or suppression as in authoritarian systems. • Self-Improvement: Democracy has built-in mechanisms for self-correction. If government fails, people can change it. If laws are unjust, courts can strike them down. • Dignity: By treating every citizen as equal and giving them a voice, democracy upholds human dignity in a way no other system can match.