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20 Long Answer Questions on Outcomes of Democracy (Approx. 180 Words Each)

Question 1: Discuss how democracy produces an accountable, responsive, and legitimate government.

Democracy ensures accountability by allowing citizens to choose rulers through elections and participate in decision-making. Governments must respond to public needs, facing removal if they fail. Legitimacy stems from following procedures like deliberation, making decisions acceptable. Though slower than dictatorships, democratic processes enhance effectiveness and transparency, enabling citizens to examine decisions. Regular free elections, public debates, and right to information are key mechanisms. Democracies outperform non-democracies in these aspects, though corruption and unresponsiveness persist. Overall, democracy's self-supporting nature, with overwhelming global preference, underscores its legitimacy as people's own government. (182 words)

Question 2: Explain why democracy is considered superior despite dilemmas in practice.

Democracy is ideal in principle for promoting equality, dignity, better decisions, conflict resolution, and mistake correction. In practice, dissatisfaction arises as it doesn't always meet expectations. Over 100 countries practice it, varying in achievements due to social, economic, and cultural differences. Democracy creates conditions for goals, but citizens must utilize them. It excels in accountability via elections and debates, though transparency and responsiveness vary. Moral and prudential reasons support it: morally for dignity, prudentially for legitimacy. Despite inefficiencies, its procedural nature ensures acceptability, making it preferable to alternatives like monarchy or dictatorship. (179 words)

Question 3: Analyze the economic outcomes of democracy compared to dictatorships.

From 1950-2000, dictatorships showed slightly higher growth (4.42%) than democracies (3.95%), but among poor countries, rates are similar (4.34% vs. 4.28%). Economic development depends on population, global cooperation, and priorities, not just regime type. Democracies don't guarantee growth but shouldn't lag. High inequalities persist in democracies like Brazil and South Africa, where top 20% control over 60% income. Democracy doesn't inherently reduce disparities, yet its political equality and other positives like legitimacy make it preferable. Verdict: Democracy's broader benefits outweigh pure economic performance. (181 words)

Question 4: How does democracy address reduction of inequality and poverty?

Democracies expect to reduce disparities through growth distribution. However, economic inequalities grow, with ultra-rich gaining more while poor incomes decline, struggling for basics. In India, poverty persists despite poor voters' influence; governments often neglect it. In Bangladesh, over half live in poverty, relying on aid. Democracies based on political equality see rising economic gaps, failing just distribution. Non-democracies aren't better. Democracy's strength lies in recognizing equality, enabling struggles against inequalities, though actual success is limited. (178 words)

Question 5: Discuss democracy's role in accommodating social diversity.

Democracy fosters harmonious life by accommodating divisions, as in Belgium's ethnic negotiations. It develops competition procedures, reducing violence. No society permanently resolves conflicts, but democracy respects differences and negotiates them best. Non-democracies suppress divisions. Success requires: majority working with minority for general representation, and avoiding community-based majority rule. Every citizen must have majority chance, ensuring inclusivity. Examples show democracy handles diversity without explosion, promoting peace. (182 words)

Question 6: Elaborate on how democracy promotes dignity and freedom of citizens.

Democracy superiorly promotes individual dignity and freedom, recognizing equality in principle. In male-dominated societies, women's struggles gain legal-moral force, challenging disrespect. Caste inequalities lack foundations in democracy, strengthening disadvantaged claims. Though inequalities persist, recognition enables fights. Democracy's ongoing examination produces new tests; complaints show awareness and critical ability, transforming subjects to citizens. Most believe votes matter, affirming self-interest impact. (179 words)

Question 7: Why is transparency important in democratic governments?

Transparency allows citizens to examine decision processes, ensuring norms-based governance. In democracies, this right exists, unlike non-democracies. It holds governments accountable, fostering trust. Though sharing information varies, democracies excel via elections and debates. Right to information, as in Nannu's case, compels action, demonstrating citizen empowerment. Transparency reduces corruption, enhances responsiveness, vital for legitimacy. (181 words)

Question 8: Compare the efficiency of democratic and non-democratic governments.

Non-democracies decide quickly without deliberations or opinions, seeming efficient. Democracies involve negotiation, causing delays. However, procedural adherence makes decisions acceptable and effective, outweighing time costs. Unaccepted fast decisions face resistance. Democracies balance efficiency with accountability, proving superior long-term. (177 words)

Question 9: What evidence supports overwhelming global support for democracy?

South Asia data shows 62% prefer democracy over dictatorship, except Pakistan. 88% find it suitable for their country, with high figures in Bangladesh (93%), Sri Lanka (92%). 94% agree with elected leaders' rule. Even non-democracies show support, indicating democracy's legitimacy as people's government. (180 words)

Question 10: How does democracy handle social conflicts and divisions?

Democracy accommodates divisions through procedures reducing tensions. It negotiates differences, respecting them. Majority-minority collaboration ensures general views. Rule by majority avoids community domination; rotational majorities maintain inclusivity. Unlike non-democracies suppressing conflicts, democracy handles them peacefully, as in Belgium vs. Sri Lanka. (178 words)

Question 11: Discuss the role of citizens in achieving democratic outcomes.

Democracy creates conditions for goals like equality, but citizens must utilize them. Participation in decisions, holding governments accountable via elections/debates essential. Complaints indicate awareness, pushing improvements. Citizens' actions deepen democracy, addressing inequalities, poverty. Without engagement, expectations unmet, leading to blame on system. Active citizenship key to success. (182 words)

Question 12: Why do democracies often fail to reduce economic inequalities?

Despite political equality, economic gaps widen; ultra-rich gain, poor decline. Governments neglect poverty despite poor voters. In democracies like India/Bangladesh, inequalities persist, aid dependency. Non-democracies similar. Democracy recognizes equality, enabling struggles, but actual reduction limited by priorities, global factors. (179 words)

Question 13: Explain the significance of public debates in democracy.

Public debates ensure open discussions on policies, enhancing transparency/accountability. They allow citizen participation, making governments responsive. Democracies succeed in this, though not perfectly. Debates reduce unaccepted decisions, fostering legitimacy. They empower citizens to critique power, transforming them into active participants. (181 words)

Question 14: How does democracy enhance the dignity of women and disadvantaged groups?

By recognizing equality, democracy provides legal-moral basis for struggles against domination. Women's movements challenge disrespect in male societies. Disadvantaged castes claim equal status, inequalities lacking foundations. Though atrocities persist, recognition enables progress, superior to non-democracies. (178 words)

Question 15: Analyze the mixed record of democracies on accountability.

Democracies excel in elections/debates but fall short in fair chances, public scrutiny. Information sharing poor, corruption ignores needs. Better than non-democracies in sensitivity. Legitimacy from being people's government sustains support despite flaws. (180 words)

Question 16: What are the moral and prudential reasons for supporting democracy?

Morally, democracy promotes equality, dignity, freedom. Prudentially, it's legitimate, accountable, responsive. Though not perfect, its procedural nature ensures acceptability. Global support, even in non-democracies, highlights intrinsic value beyond alternatives. (179 words)

Question 17: Discuss the impact of economic growth on inequalities in democracies.

Growth doesn't ensure equitable distribution; top earners gain disproportionately, bottom struggle. In South Africa/Brazil, top 20% control 60%+ income. Democracies like Denmark better, but overall, inequalities rise. Political equality contrasts economic gaps, yet democracy enables challenges. (182 words)

Question 18: How does the Right to Information Act enhance democracy?

RTI empowers citizens to query progress, official names, actions against inaction. In Nannu's case, it compelled duplicate ration card issuance. Promotes transparency, accountability, reducing corruption. Demonstrates citizen control, strengthening democratic legitimacy. (178 words)

Question 19: Explain why complaints in democracy indicate its success.

Complaints show awareness, expectations from benefits. They critique power, transforming subjects to citizens. Ongoing examinations produce tests, pushing improvements. Public dissatisfaction testimonies success, fostering critical engagement. Most believe votes matter, affirming influence. (181 words)

Question 20: Assess democracy's ability to handle poverty and development.

Democracies expect development, but evidence shows mixed fulfillment. Growth similar to dictatorships among poor nations; inequalities high. Governments often ignore poverty despite poor voters. In India, poverty reduction slow; Bangladesh aid-dependent. Democracy not growth guarantee, but positives like legitimacy, dignity make it preferable. Citizens must push for better outcomes. (179 words)