Outcomes of Democracy
What democracy actually delivers — and what it promises
Summary
This chapter asks whether democracy delivers what we expect of it. It argues that democracy is the better form of government because it produces a government that is accountable to the people, responsive to their needs and legitimate — a government people accept as their own.
On economic outcomes, the record on growth is mixed, and democracies have not been notably better at reducing economic inequalities; yet they remain preferable because they are based on consultation and the consent of the governed. Democracies are clearly better at accommodating social diversity by handling differences and conflicts peacefully.
Finally, democracy promotes the dignity and freedom of citizens — including the dignity of women and of the disadvantaged castes — and, importantly, it allows its own shortcomings to be debated and corrected, which is itself a strength.
Key points to remember
- Democracy is judged by its expected outcomes: accountable, responsive and legitimate government.
- A democratic government is legitimate because it is the people's own government, even if it is slower at decision-making.
- Democracy ensures transparency — citizens have the right to examine how decisions are taken.
- On economic growth, the democratic record is mixed; democracies are not always faster, but they rely on consent.
- Democracies have not done much better at reducing economic inequality and poverty, which remains a challenge.
- Democracies are better at accommodating social diversity, reducing the possibility of violent conflict.
- Democracy strengthens the dignity of citizens, including women and members of disadvantaged castes.
- A key strength is that democracy allows people to question and correct its own mistakes.
Important questions (board pattern)
- 5 marksHow does democracy produce an accountable, responsive and legitimate government?
How to answer: Accountable = answerable through elections; responsive = attends to people's needs; legitimate = people's own government; mention transparency.
- 3 marksAre democracies able to reduce economic inequalities? Explain.
How to answer: Record is poor — a small section gets a disproportionate share while many struggle; still, democracy keeps the issue open to demand and reform.
- 5 marksHow is democracy better at accommodating social diversity?
How to answer: Handles differences and conflicts peacefully; majority works with minority; reduces tensions — contrast with the risk of violent division elsewhere.
- 3 marksHow does democracy promote the dignity and freedom of citizens?
How to answer: Recognises equal worth; dignity of women and of disadvantaged castes; legal-political equality of all citizens.
- 1 markWhat is the most basic outcome we expect from democracy?
How to answer: A responsive and accountable government — one that produces decisions acceptable to the people and answerable to them.
Common exam traps
- Don't overclaim on the economy — democracy's record on growth and inequality is mixed, not clearly superior.
- Accountable, responsive and legitimate are three distinct ideas — define each separately.
- 'Accommodating diversity' does not mean ending all conflict; it means handling it peacefully.
- The ability to correct its own mistakes is itself a positive outcome — don't list it as a failure.
Frequently asked questions
- Why is democracy considered better than other forms of government?
- Because it produces a government that is accountable to and answerable to the people, responsive to their needs, and legitimate — accepted by citizens as their own — even if it is sometimes slower.
- Has democracy succeeded in reducing economic inequality?
- Not very well — in many democracies a small section gets a large share of wealth and income while many struggle; but democracy keeps this issue open for public demand and reform.
- How does democracy accommodate social diversity?
- By providing peaceful ways to express and settle differences, allowing the majority to work with the minority, which reduces social tensions and the chance of violent conflict.
- Why is the ability to correct mistakes seen as a strength of democracy?
- Because democracy is open to public scrutiny and debate, so its shortcomings can be exposed, discussed and corrected over time — something closed systems do not allow.