CBSE Class 10 Social Science Outcomes of Democracy Important Questions Set C

Assertion and Reasoning Based Questions

Mark the option which is most suitable :
(a) If both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
(b) If both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
(c) If assertion is true but reason is false.
(d) If both assertion and reason are false.

Question. Assertion : Democracy enhances the dignity of the individual.
Reason : Over a hundred countries of the world today claim and practice some kind of democratic politics.
Answer: (b) Yes, Democracy enhances the dignity of the individual. We know that, over a hundred countries of the world today claim and practice some kind of democratic politics: they have formal constitutions, they hold elections, they have parties and they guarantee rights of citizens. Both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.

Question. Assertion : Outcome of democracy should not be accountable to the citizens.
Reason : People are not a part of democratic outcome.
Answer: (d) The most basic outcome of democracy should be that it produces a government that is accountable to the citizens. Democracy is by the people, for the people, and of the people. Hence, both assertion and reason are false.

Question. Assertion : Dictatorships have slightly higher rate of economic growth.
Reason : Economic development depends on country’s population size.
Answer: (b) If you consider all democracies and all dictatorships for the fifty years between 1950 and 2000, dictatorships have slightly higher rate of economic growth. Economic development depends on several factors: country’s population size, global situation, cooperation from other countries. Both assertion and reason are true, but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.

Question. Assertion : Democracies are based on political equality.
Reason : All individuals have equal weight in electing representatives.
Answer: (a) Democracies are based on political equality and all individuals have equal weight in electing representatives. People have equal right to vote in the democracy. Hence, both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.

Question. Assertion : Democracy can address all socio-economic and political problems.
Reason : Democracy is similar to dictatorship.
Answer: (c) Our interest and fascination for democracy often pushes us into taking a position that democracy can address all socio-economic and political problems. Democracy is not similar to dictatorship. Hence, assertion is true but reason is false.

Question. Assertion : Democracy improves the quality of decision making.
Reason : Democracy is just a form of government.
Answer: (b) It improves the quality of decision making because if any decision taken by the ruling party is wrong, the opposition party can interfere and correct it. The first step towards thinking carefully about the outcomes of democracy is to recognise that democracy is just a form of government. Both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.

Question. Assertion (A) : Democracy is a legitimate government.
Reason (R) : Regular, free and fair elections are the spirit of democracy. 
Answer: (c) Elections are held regularly and people get a chance to elect their representatives. The party which gets majority votes forms the government rules and it has to resign if it is not able to win majority in the next elections. Moreover, there is transparency in the decision making process. Regular, free and fair elections are the expected outcome of democracy.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question. “Democratic Government in practice are known as accountable.” Support the statement with arguments. 
Answer: Democratic governments in practice are known as accountable because:
(i) In democracy people have the right to choose their rulers through elections,
(ii) People have control over the rulers e.g. through Parliament in case of India.
(iii) Whenever possible and necessary, citizens participate in decision making, that affects them all.
(iv) A democratic government is responsive to the needs and expectations of the citizens.

Question. “Democratic government is known as responsive government,” Assess the statement.
Answer: In democracy people have to choose their roles. In democracy, citizen have the right and means to examine the process of decision making. They have the right to participate in decision making which affect them all. This factor is often missing from a Non-democracy government. Thus, the most basic outcome of the democracy is that, it produces a government that is accountable to the need of citizen, and responsive to their need and expectation. For example in democracy, the government is taking time to take a decision about any subject to protect the interest of the citizen.

Question. How does democracy stand better to any other form of government in promoting the dignity and freedom of the citizen ? Explain with example. 
Answer: Democracy stands better to any other form of government in promoting the dignity and freedom of the citizens.
(i) The passion for respect and freedom are the basis of democracy. This has been achieved in various degrees in various democracies.
(ii) Respect and equal treatment to women is necessary ingredients of a democratic society. In a non-democratic set up, the principle of individual freedom and dignity would not have the legal and moral force there.
(iii) Democracy in India has strengthened the claims of the disadvantaged and discriminated castes for equal status and equal opportunity.

Question. What are the reasons for which democracy should be supported ?
Answer: The reasons for which democracy should be supported are as follows :
(i) It promotes equality among citizens.
(ii) It helps in improving the dignity of an individual.
(iii) It helps in improving the quality of decision making.
(iv) It offers a way for resolving conflicts.
(v) It gives chances for rectifying mistakes.

Question. How does democracy produce an accountable, responsive and legitimate government ?
Answer: (i) Democracy produces an accountable government : The people has the right to choose their representatives who participate in the decision making process. In case the people are not satisfied with the working of the elected representatives, they have a chance not to elect them in the next elections.
(ii) Democracy produces a responsive government : It is elected by the people and is responsible towards the needs of the people. It promotes the formation of public opinion and take care of the needs and desires of the people.
(iii) Democracy produces a legitimate government : Elections are held regularly and people get a chance to elect their representatives. The party which gets majority votes forms the government rules and it has to resign if it is not able to win majority in the next elections. Moreover, there is transparency in the decision making process.

Question. Is there more transparency in democracy in comparison to non-democratic governments ?
Answer: Yes, there is more transparency in democracy in comparison to non-democratic governments. People can examine the process of decision making to check if it has been taken through the right procedure. However, this feature is missing in non-democratic form of governments where decision is imposed on the citizens without allowing them to know why and how it was taken. Moreover, democratic form of government is accountable to the people and there is a mechanism through which people can participate in the decision making process whenever required.

Question. Why is democracy encouraged all over the world ?
Answer: Democracy is encouraged all over the world due to the following reasons :
(i) It is the government that is elected by the people.
(ii) It is a legitimate form of government which runs according to the rules and regulations provided by the constitution.
(iii) It is the government where the people have chosen their representatives as per their choice and they have the power to not to elect these representatives again if they are not working in the desired ways.

Question. Why is economic growth better in dictatorship than in democracy ?
Answer: In dictatorship, economic growth can apparently be better, but democracy helps in ensuring economic growth and reducing economic inequalities. Moreover, there are several other factors on which economic growth depends, like resources and development of technology.

Question. Developed countries can afford democracy but the poor countries need dictatorship to progress. Comment.
Answer: It’s true because in democracy there is a part of power play which cannot be affordable by a poor country and in democracy there is a need of proper functioning. Thus, industrialised or rich country can only afford democracy.

Question. Explain the standard methods of a democratic system.
Answer: The standard methods of a democratic system are follow :
(i) Free and Fair elections are held regularly
(ii) Open public debate is carried on major policies and legislations.
(iii) Citizen get right to information about the government and its functioning.

Question. Identify the challenges to democracy in the following descriptions. Also suggest policy/institutional mechanisms to deepen democracy in the given situations : 
(i) Following a High Court directive, a temple in Odisha (Orissa) that had separate entry doors for dalits and non-dalits allowed entry to all from the same door.
(ii) A large number of farmers are committing suicide in different states of India.
(iii) Following allegation of killing of three civilians in Gandwara in a fake encounter by Jammu and Kashmir police, an enquiry has been ordered.
Answer: (i) The challenge to democracy is that Dalits were denied equality in accessing a place of worship. Though, the policies can help in resolving the situation to some extent; what is needed, is to create awareness among people against casteism which can help in abolishing such a practice.
(ii) The challenge to democracy is poverty and indebtedness among different sections; for resolving the situation, loans should be offered to the poor farmers at low interest rates. For this purpose, cooperative societies should be established to help farmers. Crop insurance policy should be offered for handling the situation like crop failure.
(iii) The challenge to democracy here is dignity and freedom of citizens and the right to equality. The situation should be resolved by conducting an impartial and transparent enquiry followed by taking appropriate actions.

Over a hundred countries of the world today claim and practice some kind of democratic politics: they have formal constitutions, they hold elections, they have parties and they guarantee rights of citizens. While these features are common to most of them, these democracies are very much different from each other in terms of their social situations, their economic achievements and their cultures. Clearly, what may be achieved or not achieved under each of these democracies will be very different. 

Question. Explain the fascination for democracy amongst various countries.
Answer: Fascination about democracy amongst various countries is because :
(i) It gives its people freedom of life and freedom of speech.
(ii) A democratic country has a strong economic system and all the people get equal opportunities.

Question. Explain democracy on the basis of expected and actual outcome.
Answer: The actual democracies on the basis of expected and actual outcomes are explained below :
(i) Regular, free and fair elections, open public debate on major policies and legislations.
(ii) Citizens right to information about the government and its functioning.
Democracies on the basis of actual outcomes are explained below :
(i) Holding elections that offer a fair chance to everyone.
(ii) Not every decisions comes forward in a public debate.
(iii) Sharing information with people rarely happens.
(iv) Democracies have never been free of corruption and government has failed to pay attention to the needs and expectations of people.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question. “A public expression of dissatisfaction with democracy shows the success of democracy project.” Justify the statement. 
Answer: In democratic systems, expectations also function as the criteria for judging any democratic country. The most distinctive feature of 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. When people are asked about the way democracy functions, they will always come up with more expectations, and many complaints. Their complaints and expectations are itself a testimony to the success of democracy because 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. That is why a public expression of dissatisfaction with democracy shows the success of the democratic project as 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.

Question. Describe the importance of democratic government as an accountable and legitimate government. 
Answer: (i) Democracy provides an accountable government because it facilitates periodic, free and fair elections regularly.
(ii) Open discussions are held on all major issues and legislations and decisions are taken on the basis of popular public opinion.
(iii) Democracy give its citizens the right to information about the government and its functioning.
(iv) Democracy provides a responsive government as it is formed by elected representatives of the people. The representatives also ensure that the programmes for the welfare of the different groups are implemented.
(v) Democracy generates trust among every individual of country as it follows the rules given in the constitution.

Question. Describe any five outcomes of democracy. 
Answer: (i) Democracy is a form of government, in which the citizens have a right to elect their representatives, of their own choice. It is people’s own government, thus a legitimate government.
(ii) Democracy ensures that decision making will be based on norms and procedures. The government follows all the rules and regulations and is accountable to the people.
(iii) In Democracy, the opposition parties question and criticise the policies of the government. This ensures that the laws being implemented are not prejudiced or autocratic.
(iv) Democracy enhances the dignity and importance of every individual in a nation.
(v) Democracy generates trust and faith in the law and constitution among citizens.

Question. ‘Complaints are treated as testimony to the success of democracy.‘ Justify this statement. 
Answer: In a democracy, as people get some benefits, they ask for more for even better functions and facilities and expectations. There are also many complaints.
(i) The fact that people are complaining is itself a testimony to the fact that democracy is a success.
(ii) It reflects that people have developed the awareness and the ability to expect and look critically at power holders and the high and the mighty.
(iii) A public expression of dissatisfaction with democracy shows the success of the democratic project.
(iv) It transforms people from the status of a subject into a citizen.
(v) Most individuals believe that their vote makes a difference to the way the government is run and to their own self-interest.

Question. How are the democratic governments better than the other forms of governments ? Compare.  OR “Democracy is a better form of government than any other form of government.” Analyse the statement with arguments. 
Answer: “Democracy is a better form of government than any other form of government,” due to the following reasons :
(i) It promotes equality among citizens.
(ii) It helps in improving the dignity of the individual.
(iii) It helps in improving the quality of decision making.
(iv) It offers a way for resolving conflicts.
(v) It gives chances for rectifying mistakes.
(vi) It ensures the creation of an accountable, legitimate and responsive government.
(vii) It helps in accommodating social diversities.
(viii) It helps in lowering economic inequalities and poverty.
(ix) It ensures upliftment of the discriminated sections of the society.
(x) It offers transparency in the process of decision making.

Question. How far is democracy able to accommodate social diversities ?
Answer: Democracy is able to accommodate social diversities. Social differences exist in all societies, but democracy helps in promoting peaceful and harmonious relationships. It offers political equality to all irrespective of their colour, gender, caste, class or creed. Although, it is not possible to remove conflicts completely from the society, yet, it helps in lowering the chances of tensions, violence or differences. It helps in promoting dignity of an individual and women and further ensures equality for discriminated and deprived sections of the society. People learn to respect those from different groups and learn to negotiate the social differences.

Question. “Democracy stands much superior in promoting dignity and freedom of the citizens.” Justify the statement. 
Answer: (a) People want respect and dignity from fellow beings. Promotion of dignity and freedom of individual is foundation stone of democracy.
(b) It has moral and legal force in constitution. However, no such provision in other forms of govt.
(c) There is no discrimination on the basis of race, religion, caste, sex, creed.
(d) Women have agitated for equal rights and opportunities as men. Democracy has helped in voicing their views and proper support.
(i) This has also helped in empowerment and respect for untouchables by promoting their interests. It is a legitimate govt.
Conclusion: Thus, it stands much superior to any other form of govt promoting dignity and freedom of individual.

Question. “Democracies often frustrate the people,” Substantiate your answer suitably.
Answer: Democracy is a government by the people, of the people and for the people. Hence, people often expect much from it. However, they get disappointed when their needs and demands are ignored and corruption adversely affects the decision-making process. People also get disappointed due to slower process of decision making and low economic growth. But it is important to note here, that decision-making in democracy is taken through norms and procedures. Hence, there may be delay in the procedure but the decision are acceptable to all efficient. People, also have power to change the rule by not electing the corrupt or inefficient government. Moreover, such adversities are found in non-democratic setup also. However, in democracy people can trust the system that thing will be changed if they bring them into the light, instead of being passive suffers. Hence, frustration of people with democracy is an indication that they are enlightened and active citizens who can act to bring about changes.

Question. Explain the statement, “What is most distinctive about a democracy is that its examination never gets over.”
Answer: The statement means that when a democratic system is able to clear one exam, the expectation of the people rises and they expect more and more to make the system even better. This is the reason for which people often complaint about a democratic system, as they expect it to become even better. In fact, the complaints of the people are a testimony of the success of the system as they have awareness about what’s happening around them and trust that the system can improve if they approach higher authorities. Thus, a democratic system empowers the people from being mere subjects to enlightened citizens.

There are some things that democracy must provide. In a democracy, we are most concerned with ensuring that people 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. Some people think that democracy produces less effective government. It is, of course, true that non-democratic rulers do not have to bother about deliberation in assemblies or worry about majorities and public opinion. Let us think in terms of costs. Imagine a government that may take decisions very fast. But it may take decisions that are not accepted by the people and may therefore face problems.

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

Question. Why there is delay in decision making in democracy?
Answer: (i) Non- democratic governments can be quick in decision making and taking action. However, in a democracy, citizen’s decisions are taken into account and action is taken on the consent of the people.
(ii) Democracy is based on the idea of deliberation and negotiation. Therefore, there is bound to be some delay in decision making.

Question. Is the cost of time that democracy pays worth it?
Answer: (i) A democratic government may take more time than a non-democratic government to follow procedures before arriving at a decision.
(ii) But because it has followed procedures, its decisions may be both more acceptable to the people and more effective. Therefore, the cost of time that democracy pays is perhaps worth it.

Source/Extract Based Questions

In a democracy, we are most 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. Therefore, 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. Some people think that democracy produces less effective government. It is, of course, true that non-democratic rulers are very quick and efficient in decision making and implementation, whereas, democracy is based on the idea of deliberation and negotiation. So, some delay is bound to take place. But, because it has followed procedures, its decisions may be both more acceptable to the people and more effective. Moreover, when citizens want to know if a decision was taken through the correct procedures, they can find this out. They have the right and the means to examine the process of decision making. This is known as transparency. This factor is often missing from a non-democratic government. There is another aspect in which democratic government is certainly better than its alternatives: democratic government is legitimate government. It may be slow, less efficient, not always very responsive, or clean. But a democratic government is people’s own government.

Question. People’s right to choose their own rulers is called as the—
(a) Right to Initiate
(b) Right to Plebiscite
(c) Right to Vote
(d) Right to Referendum
Answer: (c)

Question. Which of the following options helps in promoting transparency in the governance?
(a) Right to education
(b) Right to information
(c) Right against exploitation
(d) Right to speech and expression
Answer: (b)

Question. _______ make/s the government legitimate.
(a) Credibility of politicians
(b) People's movements
(c) Free and fair elections
(d) Holding of powers
Answer: (c)

Question. Decisions in a democracy are more acceptable to the people because they are—
(a) Taken swiftly and implemented quickly
(b) Taken by giving privileges to the people
(c) Taken through elites' votes
(d) Taken after following due processes
Answer: (d)

Over a hundred countries of the world today claim and practice some kind of democratic politics: they have formal constitutions, they hold elections, they have parties and they guarantee rights of citizens. While these features are common to most of them, these democracies are very much different from each other in terms of their social situations, their economic achievements and their cultures. Clearly, what may be achieved or not achieved under each of these democracies will be very different. But is there something that we can expect from every democracy, just because it is democracy?

Question. Which of the following is not the key feature of democracy?
(a) Supremacy of the constitution
(b) Written constitution
(c) Economic development
(d) Economic equality
Answer: (c)

Question. Find out the wrong statement about democracy—
(a) It enhances the dignity of individuals
(b) Improves the quality of decision making
(c) Allows room to correct mistakes
(d) This is the ideal form of government
Answer: (d)

Question. The main reason that people want to have democratic government in their country is—
(a) Economic development is guaranteed
(b) Government is accountable, responsive and legitimate
(c) People can go to the courts to claim their rights
(d) Government is less corrupt
Answer: (b)

Question. Democracy has not performed as per expectations in the field of—
(a) To proves its accountability as compare to other forms of government
(b) To give responses as compare to other form of government
(c) To remove economic inequality as compare to other forms of government
(d) To keep the trust in voting system as compare to other forms of government
Answer: (c)