Class 10 Civics Chapter 1 Question Answers - Democratic Politics - II

Q1: What is the basic outcome of democracy?
Ans: The most basic outcome of democracy is that it produces a government that is accountable to citizens and responsive to the needs and expectations of the citizens.

Q2: What are the common features of democracy in most of the countries of the world?
Ans: Most of the democratic countries of the world today have formal constitutions, they hold elections, they have parties and they guarantee rights of citizens.

Q3: Are non-democratic rulers quick and efficient in decision making? Explain.
Ans: It is true that non-democratic rulers do not have to bother about deliberations in assemblies or worry about majesties and public opinion. So, they can be very quick and efficient in decision making and implementation.

Q4: “In comparison to non-democratic government, decision of government takes time.” Does democracy pay its price? Explain.
Ans: The democratic governments take more time to follow procedures before arriving at a decision. But because it has followed procedures, its decisions may be both more to the people and more effective.

Q5: What do you understand by ‘transparency’ in democracy?
OR
Explain the meaning of transparency in democracy. [CBSE (AI) 2017]
Ans: In democracy, decision making are based on norms and procedures. A citizen has the right and the means to examine the process of decision making. This is known as transparency.

Q6: Are democracies corrupt? Explain your argument.
Ans: Democracies often frustrate the needs of the people and often ignore the demands of a majority of its population. The routine tales of corruption are enough to convince us that democracy is not free of this evil.

Q7: How far does economic inequalities exist in democratic countries?
Ans: In democracies, a small number of ultra-rich enjoy a highly disproportionate share of wealth and incomes. Not only that, their share in the total income of the country has been increasing. Those at the bottom of the society suffer.

Q8: How democracy is considered best to accommodate social diversity?
Ans: In democracy, we can certainly learn to respect social differences and we can evolve mechanism to negotiate the differences. In fact, democracy is best suited to reduce this outcome.

Q9: How does democracy remove the gap between majority and minority in the country?
Ans: 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. Democracy remains democracy only as long as every citizen has a chance of being in majority at some point of time.

Q10: Do you agree that democracy promotes dignity of the citizen? Explain.
Ans: Often conflicts arise among individuals because some feel that they are not treated with due respect. The passions for respect and freedom are the basis of democracy. Democracy no doubt promotes dignity of the citizen and treats everyone equally.

Q11: Has democracy in India straightened the claims of discriminated castes for equal status?
Ans: In India, these are instances still of caste-based inequalities and atrocities but these lack the moral and legal foundations. Democracy has helped providing equal status and equal opportunities to the discriminated castes in India.

Q12: Explain the dilemma with respect to the practical aspect of democracy.
Ans: As per principle, democracy seems good but fails to impress in practice. This dilemma provokes to give a thought to the outcomes of democracy. Do we prefer democracy over moral reasons? Or there are some sensible reasons to support democracy too?

Q13: Explain any one difference between a pressure group and a political party. [CBSE (AI) 2017]
Ans: One difference between a pressure group and a political party is Political parties contest elections and hold power in the government while pressure groups attempt to influence government policies.

Q14: Why is there an overwhelming support to democracy all over the world? Explain one reason. [CBSE (AI) 2017]
Ans: There is an overwhelming support to democracy all over the world: Because it is accountable, responsive and legitimate government.