CLASS X: SOCIAL SCIENCE (POLITICAL SCIENCE)

LESSON 7: OUTCOMES OF DEMOCRACY

SOLVED ASSIGNMENT

Q.1 Identify the form of government which is committed towards public welfare. (1)

a. Monarchy
b. Democracy
c. Communist Rule
d. Dictatorship

Ans 1 Democracy

Q.2Complete the following statement: (1)

The most important outcome of democracy is producing an _______________ and

_________ government.

Ans 2 accountable and responsive

Q.3 Identify the following statement as True/False.

(1)

Democracy is based on the idea of deliberation and negotiation.

Ans 3. True

Q.4 In a democratic government, a citizen has the right and the means to examine the
decisions taken by the govt. It is known as _________ .
(1)

a. Transparency

b. Responsiveness

c. Accountability

d. Deliberation
Ans 4. Transparency
Q.5’Democracy is a government of the people, by the people and for the people.’ These
lines are quoted by__________ .
(1)

a. Jawahar Lal Nehru

b. M.K. Gandhi

c. Abraham Lincoln

d. Winston Churchill

Ans 5. Abraham Lincoln

Q.6 Identify the error in the given statement and rewrite the correct statement. (1)

A form of government where we have a king/queen rule is termed as a dictatorship.

Ans 6. A form of government where we have a king/queen rule is termed as a monarchy.

Q7. Which of the following does not define democracy?

(i) It promotes equality among citizens

(ii) It allows a room to correct its own mistakes

(iii) For faster decisions, consulting many is neglected

(iv) The government is elected

Ans 7. For faster decisions, consulting many is neglected

Q8. In a democracy, government is responsive. It means:

(i) It listens to the needs and expectations of people

(ii) It does not make decisions without consulting people

(iii) It is responsive to the majority

(iv) It provides a method to resolve conflicts

Ans 8. (i) It listens to the needs and expectations of people .

Q9. Which one of the following is a demerit of democracy?

(i) transparency in decision making

(ii) Corruption

(iii) Government is accountable to the people

(iv) Decisions are subjected to public debate

Ans 9. (ii) Corruption

Q10. The following cartoon represents what you know about the government and what
government knows about you.
(Create)

Interpret the message and answer the following questions:

1. Mention two ways in which the government keeps a record of our information.
(1)
2. Suggest any two ways in which we as citizens can hold the government
accountable.

(2)

Ans 10. 1. Ration cards, Aadhar cards, EPIC, Census etc

2. RTI, 2005 and PIL

Q11. Interpret the following cartoon and answer the following questions:

1. Are the gains of economic growth evenly distributed in the world?

2. Suggest ways in which the poor can get a voice for a better share in a nation.
3. What can the poor countries do to receive a greater share in the world’s wealth?

Q12.‘It is said that democracy is a rule of the majority. The poor are in
majority. So democracy must be a rule of the poor’. Justify the answer with
suitable arguments.

Ans. No, the rich have major proportion.

1. Implementation of poverty alleviation and employment generation schemes,

Unemployment allowances, cheap and affordable credit etc
2. Address their needs to International forums like UN and its subsidiary bodies.

They can form their own alliances and groups like BRICS, SAARC etc

Q13 ‘People prefer democracy to any other forms of government.’ Support this
statement with five reasons

A. Democracy promotes equality among citizens.

B. Democracy enhances dignity of individuals.
C. Quality involves in decision making.
D. Democracy provides acceptable method to resolve conflict.
Q14 ‘Democracy leads to peaceful and harmonious life among citizens in every
sphere.’ Analyze the statement.

1. It will be a fair expectation that democracy should produce a harmonious social

life. Democracies usually 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 we can also evolve
mechanisms to negotiate the differences.
3. Democracy is best suited to produce this outcome. Non-democratic regimes often
turn a blind eye to or suppress internal social differences. Ability to handle social
differences, divisions and conflicts is thus a definite plus point of democratic
regimes.
4. It is necessary to understand that democracy is not simply rule by majority
opinion. The majority always needs to work with the minority so that
governments function to represent the general view. Majority and minority
opinions are not permanent.
5. It is also necessary that rule by majority does not become rule by majority
community in terms of religion or race or linguistic group, etc. Rule by majority
means that in case of every decision or in case of every election, different
persons and groups may and can form a majority .

Q 15Describe how democracy accommodates social diversities.

A It reduced the possibility of tension.

B. It evolves mechanism to negotiate the differences.
C. It expands democratic rights to minority and weaker section of society.
D. It ensures the dignity and equal rights to all its citizens.

Q16 How far it is correct to say that democracies have not been able to reduce
economic equalities and poverty?

1. 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.
2. Democracy does not appear to be very successful in reducing economic
inequalities. A small no. of ultra-rich enjoy a highly disproportionate share of
wealth and income.
3. At the bottom of the society, the people have very little to depend on. It is very
difficult to meet their basic needs of life, such as food, clothing, house, education
and health
 4. Democracies do not appear to be very successful in reducing economic
inequalities. Although majority of voters constitute the poverty ridden group, yet
democratically elected government do not appear to be as keen to address the
question of poverty as we would expect them to.
5. 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 food supplies.

Q 17 Do you believe that democracy can reduce economic disparities? Give

reasons to support your answer.

A. A democracy believes in equitable distribution and makes efforts to serve the poor at
the root level.
B. A democracy believes in providing equal opportunity to all. Democratic governments
have been supporting poor people through various schemes to uplift their economic
level.
C. Poor people are being provided food and shelter at a subsidized rate and also free
medicines and treatment facilities.
D. They are being insured for any mis happenings so that their families do not get
crushed.
E. They are being provided free education, reservation in educational institution and
government jobs, etc.

Q18’Transparency is the most important feature of democracy.’ Analyze.

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

B. So, citizens who want to know if a decision was taken through correct procedures can
find this out.
C. The people have the right and the means to examine the process of decision- making.
This is all what transparency is meant for.

Q19 Do you agree with the outcome of democracy that it proves to be a better
government regarding economic growth of a country? Explain.
A. It is true that during last 50 years dictatorship have shown slightly higher rate of
economic growth in comparison to many democracies.
B. But we all know that there are many other factors that determine that economic
growth of a country like- population size, global situation, cooperation from other
countries, economic priorities adopted by the country etc.
C. So even when there is nominal difference in the rate of economic growth between
countries under dictatorship and democracy, it is better to prefer democracy as it has
several other positive outcomes like dignity an d freedom of citizens.

Q20 Examine how democracy leads to the development, security and dignity of
the people.
.
 Democracy stands much superior to any other form of government. Democracy
promotes dignity and freedom of the individuals.

 The passion for respect and freedom are the basis of democracy. This has been
achieved in various degrees in various democracies.
 We can take the case of dignity of women. Most societies across the world were
historically male dominated societies. Long struggles by women have created
some sensitivity today. On the other hand, in non-democracies, individual
freedom would not have legal and moral support.
 Democracies in India have also strengthened the claims of the claims of the
disadvantaged and discriminated castes for equal status and equal opportunities.
Perhaps it is the recognition that makes ordinary citizens values their democratic
rights