Chapter VII
Outcomes of Democracy
Is democracy a better form of government when compared with dictatorship or any other
alternative?
1. Democracy is better because it promotes equality among citizens.
2. Democracy is better because it enhances the dignity of the individual
3. Democracy is better because it improves the quality of decision making
4. Democracy is better because it provides a method to resolve conflicts
5. Democracy is better because it allows room to correct mistakes.
Is the democratic government efficient? Is it effective?
1. Non-democracies may take decisions very fast. But those decisions may not be accepted by the
people and therefore face problems.
2. On the other hand, democracy is based on the idea of deliberation and negotiation. So, some
delay is bound to take place.
3. A democratic government will take more time to follow procedures before arriving at a
decision.
4. But because it has followed procedures, its decisions may be both more acceptable to the people
and more effective.
5. So, the cost of time in decision-making that democracy pays is perhaps worth it.
Democracy is Accountable, responsive and legitimate government
1. Democracy ensures that decision making will be based on norms and procedures. So, a citizen
has the right and the means to examine the process of decision making. This is known as
transparency. Democracy follows procedures and is accountable to the people.
2. Democratic governments have a very good record when it comes to sharing information with
citizens and much better than any non-democratic regime in this respect. Democracy is attentive
to the needs and demands of the people and is largely free of corruption.
3. There is one respect in which democratic government is certainly better than its alternatives:
democratic government is legitimate government. It may be slow, less efficient, not always
very responsive or clean. But a democratic government is people’s own government.
Economic growth and development
1. Economic development depends on several factors: country’s population size, global
situation, cooperation from other countries, economic priorities adopted by the country,
etc.
2. However, the difference in the rates of economic development between less developedcountries
with dictatorships and democracies is negligible.
3. Overall, we cannot say that democracy is a guarantee of economic development. But we can
expect democracy not to lag behind dictatorships in economic development.
Democracy reduces economic inequality and poverty
1. Democracies have growing economic inequalities. A small number of ultra-rich enjoy a lion
share of wealth and those at the bottom of the society find very difficult to meet their basic
needs of life, such as food, clothing, house, education and health.
2. Democratically elected governments address the question of poverty by making various
welfare schemes to remove poverty.
3. Democracies not only make welfare schemes but also provide reservations for socially and
economically backward people in jobs, election and educational institutions.
Democracy accommodates Social Diversity
1. Democracies usually develop a procedure to accommodate various social groups. This reduces
the possibility of social tensions becoming explosive or violent.
2. No society can fully and permanently resolve conflicts among different groups. But democracy
is best to handle social differences, divisions and conflicts.
3. But the example of Sri Lanka reminds us that a democracy must fulfill two conditions in order to
achieve accommodation of social divisions,
a. 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.
b. 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 rule by majority’s choice.
Democracy promotes Dignity and freedom of the citizens
1. Democracy stands much superior to any other form of government in promoting dignity and
freedom of the individual by providing Fundamental Rights. Every individual wants to
receive respect from fellow beings.
2. The passion for respect and freedom are the basis of democracy. Democracies throughout the
world have recognised this, at least in principle. This has been achieved in various degrees in
various democracies.
3. Take the case of dignity of women. Most societies across the world were historically male
dominated societies.
4. Long struggles by women have created some sensitivity today that respect to and equal
treatment of women are necessary ingredients of a democratic society.
5. Democracy in India has strengthened the claims of the disadvantaged and discriminated
castes for equal status and equal opportunity.
.
Expectation from democracy never gets over.
1. As people get some benefits of democracy, they ask for more and want to make democracy
even better.
2. That is why, when we ask people about the way democracy functions, they will always come up
with more expectations, and many complaints.
3. The fact that people are complaining is itself a testimony to the success of democracy: it shows
that people have developed awareness and the ability to look critically at power holders and
the high and the mighty.
