Outcomes of Democracy PDF

Outcomes of Democracy Overview Chapter 5 As we begin to wind up our tour of democracy, it is time to move beyond our discussion...

Outcomes of Democracy Overview Chapter 5 As we begin to wind up our tour of democracy, it is time to move beyond our discussion of specific themes and ask a general set of questions: What does democracy do? Or, what outcomes can we reasonably expect of democracy? Also, does democracy fulfil these expectations in real life? We begin by thinking about how to assess the outcomes of democracy. After some clarity on how to think on this subject, we proceed to look at the expected and actual outcomes of democracy in various respects: quality of government, economic well-being, inequality, social differences and conflict and finally freedom and dignity. Outcomes of Democracy 2024-25 63 Chapter 5.indd 63 4/29/2022 4:57:46 PM  How do we assess democracy’s outcomes? Do you remember how students principle, but felt to be not so good in in Madam Lyngdoh’s class argued its practice. This dilemma invites us about democracy? This was in to think hard about the outcomes of Chapter 2 of Class IX textbook. democracy. Do we prefer democracy It emerged from that conversation only for moral reasons? Or are there that democracy is a better form of some prudential reasons to support government when compared with democracy too? dictatorship or any other alternative. Over a hundred countries of Did we We felt that democracy was better the world today claim and practice reach these because it: conclusions some kind of democratic politics:  Promotes equality among they have formal constitutions, they in Madam citizens; hold elections, they have parties and Lyngdoh’s class?  Enhances the dignity of the they guarantee rights of citizens. I loved that individual; While these features are common to class because  Improves the quality of most of them, these democracies are students were decision-making; very much different from each other not being dictated any  Provides a method to resolve in terms of their social situations, conclusions. conflicts; and their economic achievements and  Allows room to correct mistakes. their cultures. Clearly, what may be Are these expectations realised achieved or not achieved under each under democracies? When we talk of these democracies will be very to people around us, most of them different. But is there something that support democracy against other we can expect from every democracy, alternatives, such as rule by a monarch just because it is democracy? or military or religious leaders. But Our interest in and fascination not so many of them would be for democracy often pushes us into satisfied with the democracy in taking a position that democracy practice. So we face a dilemma: can address all socio-economic and democracy is seen to be good in political problems. If some of our expectations are not met, we start blaming the idea of democracy. Or, we start doubting if we are living in a democracy. The first step towards thinking carefully about the outcomes © RK Laxman - Brushing up the years D e m o c ra t i c Po l i t i c s of democracy is to recognise that democracy is just a form of government. It can only create conditions for achieving something. The citizens have to take advantage of those conditions and achieve those goals. Let us examine some of the things we can reasonably expect Is democracy all about coping with multiple pressures and from democracy and examine the accommodating diverse demands? record of democracy. 64 2024-25 Chapter 5.indd 64 08-04-2022 12:36:51  Accountable, responsive and legitimate government There are some things that democracy Governmental Secrecy must provide. 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. © Mike Keefe - Cagle Cartoons Inc. 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. Before we go into this question, Now look at the other side – we face another common question: Is democracy ensures that decision Can you think of the democratic government efficient? making will be based on norms and what and how the Is it effective? Some people think that procedures. So, a citizen who wants government knows democracy produces less effective to know if a decision was taken about you and your family (for example government. It is, of course, true that through the correct procedures ration cards and non-democratic rulers do not have to can find this out. She has the right voter identity cards)? bother about deliberation in assemblies and the means to examine the What are the sources of information for or worry about majorities and public process of decision making. This you about the opinion. So, they can be very quick is known as transparency. This government? and efficient in decision making factor is often missing from a and implementation. Democracy non-democratic government. is based on the idea of deliberation Therefore, when we are trying to and negotiation. So, some delay is find out the outcomes of democracy, bound to take place. Does that make it is right to expect democracy to democratic government inefficient? produce a government that follows Let us think in terms of costs. procedures and is accountable to the people. We can also expect that the Outcomes of Democracy Imagine a government that may take decisions very fast. But it may democratic government develops take decisions that are not accepted mechanisms for citizens to hold by the people and may therefore the government accountable and face problems. In contrast, the mechanisms for citizens to take part democratic government will take in decision making whenever they more time to follow procedures think fit. before arriving at a decision. But If you wanted to measure because it has followed procedures, democracies on the basis of this its decisions may be both more expected outcome, you would look acceptable to the people and more for the following practices and effective. So, the cost of time that institutions: regular, free and fair democracy pays is perhaps worth it. elections; open public debate on 2024-25 65 Chapter 5.indd 65 08-04-2022 12:36:51  major policies and legislations; the demands of a majority of its So, the best and citizens’ right to information population. The routine tales of outcome of about the government and its corruption are enough to convince us democracy functioning. The actual performance that democracy is not free of this evil. is that it is a of democracies shows a mixed At the same time, there is nothing democracy! That record on this. Democracies have to show that non-democracies are is what we have had greater success in setting up less corrupt or more sensitive to discovered after regular and free elections and in the people. all this mental setting up conditions for open There is one respect in which gymnastics? public debate. But most democracies democratic government is certainly fall short of elections that provide better than its alternatives: demo- a fair chance to everyone and in cratic government is legitimate subjecting every decision to public government. It may be slow, debate. Democratic governments do less efficient, not always very not have a very good record when responsive or clean. But a democratic it comes to sharing information g o v e r n me n t i s p e o p l e ’ s ow n with citizens. All one can say in government. That is why, there is favour of democratic regimes is an overwhelming support for the that they are much better than any idea of democracy all over the world. non-democratic regime in As the accompanying evidence from these respects. South Asia shows, the support In substantive terms, it may be exists in countries with democratic reasonable to expect from democracy regimes as well as countries without a government that is attentive to the democratic regimes. People wish to needs and demands of the people be ruled by representatives elected and is largely free of corruption. by them. They also believe that The record of democracies is not democracy is suitable for their impressive on these two counts. country. Democracy’s ability to Democracies often frustrate the generate its own support is itself an needs of the people and often ignore outcome that cannot be ignored. Democracy is preferred Very few doubt the suitability of democracy over dictatorship for their own country How suitable is democracy for your country? South Asia everywhere except 28 Pakistan Very suitable Suitable South Asia 88 Those who agree with one of Bangladesh 93 the statements 10 Sri Lanka 92 62 India 92 Pakistan 84 D e m o c ra t i c Po l i t i c s Nepal 79 0 50 100 Overwhelming support for democracy Those who agree with the rule of leaders elected by the people Bangladesh India Nepal Pakistan Sri Lanka Strongly agree Agree Democracy is South Asia 94 preferable 69 70 62 37 71 Sri Lanka 98 Sometimes dictatorship Bangladesh 96 is better 6 9 10 14 11 India 95 Nepal 94 Doesn’t Pakistan 81 matter to me 25 21 28 49 18 0 50 100 Source: SDSA Team, State of Democracy in South Asia, Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2007 66 2024-25 Chapter 5.indd 66 08-04-2022 12:36:53  Economic growth and development If democracies are expected to size, global situation, cooperation produce good governments, then from other countries, economic is it not fair to expect that they priorities adopted by the country, would also produce development? etc. However, the difference in the Evidence shows that in practice, rates of economic development many democracies did not fulfil this between less developed countries expectation. with dictatorships and democracies If you consider all democracies is negligible. Overall, we cannot say and all dictatorships for the fifty that democracy is a guarantee of years between 1950 and 2000, economic development. But we can dictatorships have slightly higher rate expect democracy not to lag behind of economic growth. The inability dictatorships in this respect. of democracy to achieve higher economic development worries us. When we find such significant Cartoon on this page and next three pages tell But this alone cannot be reason difference in the rates of economic us about the disparities to reject democracy. As you have growth between countries under between the rich and already studied in economics, dictatorship and democracy, it is poor. Should the gains of economic growth economic development depends on better to prefer democracy as it has be evenly distributed? several factors: country’s population several other positive outcomes. How can the poor get a voice for a better share in a nation? What can the poor countries do to receive a greater share in the world’s wealth? The Rich Get Buff Outcomes of Democracy © RJ Matson - Cagle Cartoons Inc. 2024-25 67 Chapter 5.indd 67 08-04-2022 12:36:53  Economic outcomes of democracy Arguments about democracy tend to be very passionate. This is how it should Poor Kids be, for democracy appeals to some of our deep values. These debates cannot © Jimmy Margulies - Cagle Cartoons Inc. be resolved in a simple manner. But some debates about democracy can and should be resolved by referring to some facts and figures. The debate about the economic outcomes of democracy is one such debate. Over the years, many students of democracy have gathered careful evidence to see what the relationship of democracy with economic growth and economic inequalities is. The tables and the cartoon here present some of the evidences:  Table 1 shows that on an average dictatorial regimes have had a slightly better record of economic growth. But when we compare their record only in poor countries, there is virtually no difference.  Table 2 shows that within democracies there can be very high degree of inequalities. In democratic countries like South Africa and Brazil, the top 20 per cent people take away more than 60 per cent of the national income, leaving less than 3 per cent for the bottom 20 per cent population. Countries like Denmark and Hungary are much better in this respect.  You can see in the cartoon, there is often inequality of opportunities available to the poorer sections. What would be your verdict on democracy if you had to base it purely on economic performance of democratic regimes in terms of growth and equal distribution? Table 2 Inequality of income in selected countries Table 1 Name of the % share of national Rates of economic growth for different countries, D e m o c ra t i c Po l i t i c s Countries income 1950 – 2000 Top 20 % Bottom 20 % Type of regimes and countries Growth Rate South Africa 64.8 2.9 All democratic regimes 3.95 Brazil 63.0 2.6 All dictatorial regimes 4.42 Russia 53.7 4.4 Poor countries under dictatorship 4.34 USA 50.0 4.0 Poor countries under democracy 4.28 United Kingdom 45.0 6.0 Source: A Przeworski, M E Alvarez, J A Cheibub and F Limongi, Democracy and Development: Political Institutions and Well-Being in the World, 1950 -1990. Denmark 34.5 9.6 Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2000. Hungary 34.4 10.0 68 2024-25 Chapter 5.indd 68 08-04-2022 12:36:54  Reduction of inequality and poverty Perhaps more than development, it Democracies are based on political is reasonable to expect democracies equality. All individuals have equal to reduce economic disparities. Even weight in electing representatives. when a country achieves economic Parallel to the process of bringing growth, will wealth be distributed individuals into the political arena in such a way that all citizens of the on an equal footing, we find growing country will have a share and lead economic inequalities. A small a better life? Is economic growth number of ultra-rich enjoy a highly Democracy is in democracies accompanied by disproportionate share of wealth and a rule of the increased inequalities among the incomes. Not only that, their share majority. The people? Or do democracies lead in the total income of the country poor are in to a just distribution of goods and has been increasing. Those at the majority. So opportunities? bottom of the society have very little democracy must to depend upon. Their incomes have be a rule of the Voice of the Poor been declining. Sometimes they find poor. How can it difficult to meet their basic needs this not be the of life, such as food, clothing, house, case? education and health. In actual life, democracies do not appear to be very successful in reducing economic inequalities. In Class IX Economics textbook, you have already studied about poverty in India. The poor constitute a large proportion of our voters and no party will like to lose their votes. Yet democratically elected governments do not appear to be as keen to address the question of poverty as you would © Ares - Best of Latin America, Cagle Cartoons Inc. expect them to. The situation is much worse Outcomes of Democracy 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. 2024-25 69 Chapter 5.indd 69 08-04-2022 12:36:55  World’s Wealth Owned by a Few © Manny Francisco - The Phillippines, Cagle Cartoons Inc. Accommodation of social diversity Do democracies lead to peaceful and often turn a blind eye to or suppress harmonious life among citizens? internal social differences. Ability to It will be a fair expectation that handle social differences, divisions democracy should produce a and conflicts is thus a definite plus harmonious social life. We have point of democratic regimes. But All you are seen in the earlier chapters how the example of Sri Lanka reminds saying is that democracies accommodate various us that a democracy must fulfil two democracy social divisions. We saw in the first conditions in order to achieve this ensures that chapter how Belgium has successfully outcome: people do not negotiated differences among ethnic  It is necessary to understand break each populations. Democracies usually that democracy is not simply rule other’s head. develop a procedure to conduct by majority opinion. The majority This is not their competition. This reduces always needs to work with the D e m o c ra t i c Po l i t i c s harmony. Should the possibility of these tensions minority so that governments we be happy becoming explosive or violent. function to represent the general about it? N o s o c i et y c a n f u l l y a n d view. Majority and minority permanently resolve conflicts among opinions are not permanent. different groups. But we can certainly  It is also necessary that rule by learn to respect these differences and majority does not become rule by we can also evolve mechanisms to majority community in terms of negotiate the differences. Democracy religion or race or linguistic group, is best suited to produce this etc. Rule by majority means that in outcome. Non-democratic regimes case of every decision or in case of 70 2024-25 Chapter 5.indd 70 08-04-2022 12:36:56  every election, different persons and of time. If someone is barred from groups may and can form a majority. being in majority on the basis of Democracy remains democracy only birth, then the democratic rule ceases as long as every citizen has a chance to be accommodative for that person of being in majority at some point or group. Enemies © Ares - Best of Latin America, Cagle Cartoons Inc. Greeting The two images depict two different kinds of effects democratic politics can have on social divisions. Take one example for each image and write a paragraph each on the outcome of democratic politics in both situations. Dignity and freedom of the citizens Democracy stands much superior in various degrees in various to any other form of government democracies. For societies which Outcomes of Democracy in promoting dignity and freedom have been built for long on the basis of the individual. Every individual of subordination and domination, it wants to receive respect from is not a simple matter to recognise fellow beings. Often conflicts arise that all individuals are equal. among individuals because some feel Take the case of dignity of that they are not treated with due women. Most societies across respect. The passion for respect and the world were historically male freedom are the basis of democracy. dominated societies. Long struggles Democracies throughout the world by women have created some have recognised this, at least in sensitivity today that respect to principle. This has been achieved and equal treatment of women are 2024-25 71 Chapter 5.indd 71 08-04-2022 12:37:00  necessary ingredients of a democratic What is most distinctive about I am anxious society. That does not mean that democracy is that its examination about my board women are actually always treated never gets over. As democracy exams. But with respect. But once the principle passes one test, it produces another democracy has is recognised, it becomes easier for test. As people get some benefits of so many exams. women to wage a struggle against democracy, they ask for more and And millions of what is now unacceptable legally want to make democracy even better. examiners! and morally. In a non-democratic That is why, when we ask people set up, this unacceptability would about the way democracy functions, not have legal basis because the they will always come up with more principle of individual freedom and expectations, and many complaints. dignity would not have the legal and The fact that people are complaining moral force there. The same is true is itself a testimony to the success of of caste inequalities. Democracy in democracy: it shows that people have India has strengthened the claims of developed awareness and the ability the disadvantaged and discriminated to expect and to look critically at castes for equal status and equal power holders and the high and opportunity. There are instances the mighty. A public expression of still of caste-based inequalities and dissatisfaction with democracy shows atrocities, but these lack the moral the success of the democratic project: and legal foundations. Perhaps, it is it transforms people from the status the recognition that makes ordinary of a subject into that of a citizen. citizens value their democratic rights. Most individuals today believe that Expectations from democracy their vote makes a difference to the also function as the criteria for way the government is run and to judging any democratic country. their own self-interest. Rosa Parks Still Inspires Belief in the efficacy of vote is placed above the calculus of utility Those who say that their vote makes a difference... © Pat Bagley - Cagle Cartoons Inc. South Asia 65 D e m o c ra t i c Po l i t i c s Bangladesh 66 India 67 Nepal 75 Pakistan 50 Sri Lanka 65 0 80 Source: SDSA Team, State of Democracy in South Asia, Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2007. The above cartoon and graph illustrate a point made in this section (Dignity and freedom of the citizens). Underline the sentences from this section which connect to the cartoon or graph. 72 2024-25 Chapter 5.indd 72 08-04-2022 12:37:01  1. How does democracy produce an accountable, responsive and legitimate government? 2. What are the conditions under which democracies accommodate social diversities? 3. 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. Exercises 4. 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. 5. 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 6. In the context of assessing democracy, which among the following is the odd one out. Democracies need to ensure: A. free and fair elections Outcomes of Democracy B. dignity of the individual C. majority rule D. equal treatment before law 7. 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. 2024-25 73 Chapter 5.indd 73 08-04-2022 12:37:03  8. 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, Exercises 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. D e m o c ra t i c Po l i t i c s Source: Election Commission of India 74 2024-25 Chapter 5.indd 74 19/03/2024 10:52:11