NCERT Solutions for Class-10 Political Science Chapter-5: Outcomes of Democracy
Outcomes of Democracy – Class 10 NCERT Solution discusses Democracy as a form of government in which the people have the power to choose their leaders. In a democracy, there are regular, free, and fair elections. The people also have the right to information about the government and its functioning. Democracy provides a responsive government as it is formed by elected representatives of the people. Our Top Social Science Experts prepare these NCERT Solutions to take care of all Important Topics that might be asked in the upcoming examination 2024-2025. So, Students can refer to these solutions for their final Examination preparation.
These Class-10 Political Science Chapter – 5 Outcomes of Democracy NCERT Solutions are carefully developed using easy-to-understand language while adhering to the guidelines for solving NCERT Solutions for Class 10. Working through these solutions can be highly beneficial for students in their board exams and preparing for future competitive Exams.
NCERT Solutions Class-10 Civic Chapter-5: Outcomes of Democracy
Exercises Pages No 73, 74
Q1. How does democracy produce an accountable, responsive, and legitimate government?
Answer:
Democracy ensures accountability, responsiveness, and legitimacy through free and fair elections, enabling citizens to choose their representatives. Checks and balances prevent the concentration of power, while transparency and freedom of information empower citizens to hold leaders accountable. The rule of law ensures equality before it and restrains government actions. Civil society and independent media serve as watchdogs, monitoring government actions and advocating for citizen interests. Citizen participation, beyond voting, allows for activism and public discourse, influencing government decisions. Together, these mechanisms form the foundation of accountable, responsive, and legitimate governance in democracies.
Q2. What are the conditions under which democracies accommodate social diversities?
Answer:
Democracies accommodate social diversities under certain conditions:
- Democracies need inclusive political, social, and economic institutions that respect and protect the rights of diverse groups.
- Democracies must protect the rights of minorities, ensuring their voices are heard and their interests are represented in the political process.
- Democracies flourish in societies where diversity is embraced as a strength rather than a source of division.
- Effective democracies encourage the participation of all citizens in the political process, regardless of their social backgrounds.
- Devolving power to local governments or autonomous regions can empower diverse communities to govern themselves according to their unique needs and preferences, promoting inclusivity and representation at the grassroots level.
Q3. Give arguments to support or oppose the following assertions:
Industrialised countries can afford democracy but the poor need dictatorship to become rich.
Democracy can’t reduce inequality of incomes between different citizens.
Government in poor countries should spend less on poverty reduction, health, education and spend more on industries and infrastructure.
In democracy all citizens have one vote, which means that there is absence of any domination and conflict.
Answer:
Support: Stable economies and strong institutions in industrialized countries support democratic systems. However, in poorer nations, authoritarian regimes may be seen as necessary for rapid economic growth.
Oppose: While democracy alone may not directly reduce income inequality, it enables policies like progressive taxation and social welfare programs that address inequality effectively.
Oppose: Investments in poverty reduction, health, and education are vital for long-term economic development and human capital formation, fostering sustainable growth and reducing inequality.
Oppose: Democracy ensures political equality, but does not eliminate all forms of domination or conflict. Socioeconomic inequalities and power imbalances can persist, leading to tensions and injustices.
Q4. Identify the challenges to democracy in the following descriptions. Also suggest policy/institutional mechanism to deepen democracy in the given situations:
Following a High Court directive, a temple in Orissa that had separate entry doors for dalits and non-dalits allowed entry for all from the same door.
A large number of farmers are committing suicide in different states of India.
Following an allegation of killing of three civilians in Gandwara in a fake encounter by Jammu and Kashmir police, an enquiry has been ordered.
Answer:
1. Challenge to Democracy: Discriminatory practices like separate entry doors based on caste undermine equality and inclusivity, hindering democratic principles.
Policy/Institutional Mechanism: Enforce anti-discrimination laws, raise awareness through education, and ensure swift enforcement of court directives to promote social equality and cohesion.
2. Challenge to Democracy: Farmer suicides highlight systemic failures in agricultural policies, economic disparities, and social welfare inadequacies, eroding trust in governance.
Policy/Institutional Mechanism: Implement comprehensive agricultural reforms, including fair pricing mechanisms, access to credit, and social safety nets. Foster dialogue between farmers and policymakers to address their needs effectively.
3. Challenge to Democracy: Allegations of human rights abuses, like fake encounters, erode trust in democratic institutions, exposing issues of impunity and accountability.
Policy/Institutional Mechanism: Conduct prompt, impartial investigations into human rights violations. Maintain judicial independence and enforce human rights standards within law enforcement agencies. Implement oversight mechanisms and promote community policing to prevent abuses and strengthen the rule of law.
Q5. In the context of democracies, which of the following ideas is correct– democracies have successfully eliminated:
A. conflicts among people
B. economic inequalities among people
C. differences of opinion about how marginalised sections are to be treated
D. the idea of political inequality.
Answer:
In the context of democracies, the correct idea is:
C. Democracies have successfully eliminated differences of opinion about how marginalized sections are to be treated.
While democracies strive to address inequalities and promote equality, they have not eliminated conflicts among people, economic inequalities, or the idea of political inequality. However, democracies provide mechanisms for addressing these issues through dialogue, policy-making, and citizen participation.
Q6. In the context of assessing democracy, which among the following is the odd one out. Democracies need to ensure:
A. free and fair elections
B. dignity of the individual
C. majority rule
D. equal treatment before law.
Answer:
In the context of assessing democracy, the odd one out is:
C. Majority rule.
While free and fair elections, dignity of the individual, and equal treatment before the law are fundamental principles of democracy, majority rule is not universally applicable in all democratic systems. Democracies often incorporate mechanisms such as checks and balances, protection of minority rights, and respect for individual freedoms to prevent the tyranny of the majority and ensure that decisions reflect the interests of all citizens, not just the numerical majority.
Q7. Studies on political and social inequalities in democracy show that:
A. democracy and development go together.
B. inequalities exist in democracies.
C. inequalities do not exist under dictatorship.
D. dictatorship is better than democracy.
Answer:
Studies on political and social inequalities in democracy show that:
B. Inequalities exist in democracies.
While democracy is associated with many positive outcomes, including development and the protection of individual rights, it does not eradicate all forms of inequality. In fact, research consistently demonstrates that various types of inequalities persist within democratic societies, including political, social, and economic inequalities. This acknowledgment is essential for designing policies and reforms aimed at addressing and mitigating these disparities while strengthening democratic institutions.
Q8. Read the passage below:
Nannu is a daily wage earner. He lives in Welcome Mazdoor Colony, a slum habitation in East Delhi. He lost his ration card and applied for a duplicate one in January 2004. He made several rounds to the local Food and Civil Supplies office for the next three months. But the clerks and officials would not even look at him, leave alone do his job or bother to tell him the status of his application. Ultimately, he filed an application under the Right to Information Act asking for the daily progress made on his application, names of the officials, who were supposed to act on his application and what action would be taken against these officials for their inaction. Within a week of filing application under the Right to Information Act, he was visited by an inspector from the Food Department, who informed him that the card had been made and he could collect it from the office. When Nannu went to collect his card next day, he was given a very warm treatment by the Food and Supply Officer (FSO), who is the head of a Circle. The FSO offered him tea and requested him to withdraw his application under the Right to Information, since his work had already been done.
What does Nannu’s example show? What impact did Nannu’s action have on officials? Ask your parents their experiences when they approach government officials to attend to their problems.
Answer:
Nannu’s example shows the effectiveness of the Right to Information (RTI) Act in holding government officials accountable and ensuring timely action. Initially ignored by officials, Nannu’s RTI application prompted swift response and efficient service, illustrating the power of transparency and accountability in overcoming bureaucratic apathy.
Impact on Officials:
Nannu’s RTI application led to immediate action, demonstrating that officials are more responsive when they know their actions are being monitored and could be publicly scrutinized.
Parents’ Experiences:
Parents might share similar frustrations with long wait times and unhelpful attitudes from officials. However, they may also note that persistence and the use of RTI have improved their ability to get timely responses and services from government offices.
Summary – NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Political Science Chapter 5: Outcomes of Democracy
In conclusion, democracy is a form of government that has many positive outcomes. It provides a responsive government, promotes equality, and ensures the security of all individuals. Democracy also helps in the economic development of a country and reduces economic disparities. The outcomes of democracy can be understood through the political, economic, and social aspects of a country. This is because a democratic government is founded on the grounds of involvement of the population of a country. The population at large gets to decide who they want to vote for and represent their country with.
FAQs on NCERT Solutions for Class-10 Political Science Chapter-5: Outcomes of Democracy
What are the key outcomes of democracy?
Democracy ensures accountable, responsive, and legitimate governance, promoting political equality, economic growth, and social development.
How does democracy ensure political equality?
Democracy provides equal voting rights to all citizens, ensuring everyone’s voice is heard and respected in the decision-making process.
What role does transparency play in a democracy?
Transparency allows citizens to access information about government actions, protecting accountability and preventing corruption.
Can democracy reduce economic inequality?
While democracy can implement policies to reduce economic inequality, such as progressive taxation and social welfare, it does not automatically eliminate all disparities.
Why is the protection of minority rights important in a democracy?
Protecting minority rights prevents the tyranny of the majority, ensuring that all groups have equal opportunities and representation in the democratic process.