Economic growth and development :
Evidence shows that in practice many democracies did not fulfil this expectation.
·    If you consider all democracies and all dictatorships for the fifty years between 1950 and 2000, dictatorships have slightly higher rate of economic growth. The inability of democracy to achieve higher economic development worries us. But this alone cannot be reason to reject democracy.
·    In economics, economicdevelopment, depends on several factors
        –  country’s population size,
        –  global situation
        –  cooperation from other countries
        –  economic priorities adopted by the country.
However, the difference in the rates of economic development between less developed countries with dictatorships and democracies is negligible.
·    Overall, we cannot say that democracy is a guarantee of economic development. But we can expect democracy  not to lag behind dictatorships in this respect. When we find such significant different in the rates of economic growth between countries under dictatorship and democracy, it is better to prefer democracy as it has several other positive outcomes.

Illustration 1
    When was democracy introduce in India?
Solution
    In 1950, when constitution was enforced in India.

Illustration 2
    What does political outcomes signifies?
Solution
    Accountable, responsive and legitimate government.

Illustration 3
    What is the basic element of democracy?
Solution
    Universal adult franchise.

Illustration 4
    What do you mean by social outcomes?
Solution
    Social outcomes means the benefits derived by the society due to democracy like dignity and freedom, gender equality and Ban on child labour, etc.

Reduction of inequality and poverty :
·    Perhaps more than  development, it is reasonable to expect democracies to reduce economic disparities.
·    Economic growth in demoracies are accompanied by increased inequalities among the 
      people - democracies lead to a just distribution of goods and opportunities.
·    Democracies are based on political  equality. All individuals have equal weight in electing representatives. Parallel to the process of bringing                    individuals into the political  arena on an equal footing, we find growing economic inequalities.
·    A small number of ultra-rich enjoy a highly disproportionate share of wealth and income. Not only that, their share in the total income of the country          has been increasing.
·    Those at the bottom of the society have very little to depend upon. Their incomes have been declining. Sometimes they find it difficult to meet their          basic needs of life such as food, clothing, house, education and health.

·    In actual life, democracies do not appear to be very successful in reducing economic inequalities. 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 expect them to.
·    The situation is much worse in some other countries. In Bangladesh, more thanhalf of its population live in poverty. People in several poor countries        are now dependent on the rich countries even for food supplies.

Accommodation of Social Diversity :
1. Democracies accommodates various social divisions. For example: Belgium has 
successfully negotiated difference among ethnic populations. Democracies usually develop a procedure to conduct their competition. This reduces the possibility of these tensions becoming explosing or violent.
2. No society can fully and permanently resolve conflicts among different groups. But we can certainly learn to respect these differences and we can also evolve mechanisms to negotiate the differences.
Democracy is best suited to produce this outcomes. Non-democratic regimes often turn a blind eye to or suppress internal social differences.
3.    Abillity to handle social difference, divisions and conflicts is thus a definite plus point of democratic regimes.
       But the example of Sri Lanka reminds us that a democracy must fulfil two conditions in order to achieve this outcome:
(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 government function to represent the general view. Majority and minority opinion are not permanent.
(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 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 every citizen has a chance of being in majority at some point of time. If someone is barred from being in majority on the basis of birth, then the demoratic rule ceases to be accommodative for that person or group.

Dignity and freedom of the citizens :
Democracy stands much superior to any other form of government in promoting dignity and freedom of the individual.
·    Every individual wants to receive respect from fellow beings.
·    Often conflicts arise among individials because some feel that they are not treated with due respect. The passion for respect and freedom are the basis of democracy. Democracies throughout the world have recognised this, at least in principle. Democracies which have been built for long on the basis is not a simple matter to recognize that all individuals are equal.

Dignity of women
·  Most societies across the world were historically male dominated societies. Long struggles by women have created some sensitivity today that respect to and equal treatment of women are necessary ingredients of a democratic society.
·    That does not mean that women are actually always treated with respect. But once the principle is recognised, it becomes easier for women to wage a struggle against what is not unaccetpable legally and morally.
    ·    In a non-democratic set up, this unacceptability would not have legal basis because the principle of individual freedom and dignity would not have the legal and moral force there.

 Caste inequalities
·    Democracy in India has strengthened the claims of the disadvantaged and  discriminated castes for equal status and equal opportunity.
     There are instances still of caste-based inequalities and atrocities, but these lack, the moral and legal foundations. Perhaps it is the recognition that          makes ordinary citizens value their democratic rights.

Economic growth and development :
Evidence shows that in practice many democracies did not fulfil this expectation.
·    If you consider all democracies and all dictatorships for the fifty years between 1950 and 2000, dictatorships have slightly higher rate of economic growth. The inability of democracy to achieve higher economic development worries us. But this alone cannot be reason to reject democracy.
·    In economics, economicdevelopment, depends on several factors
        –  country’s population size,
        –  global situation
        –  cooperation from other countries
        –  economic priorities adopted by the country.
However, the difference in the rates of economic development between less developed countries with dictatorships and democracies is negligible.
·    Overall, we cannot say that democracy is a guarantee of economic development. But we can expect democracy  not to lag behind dictatorships in this respect. When we find such significant different in the rates of economic growth between countries under dictatorship and democracy, it is better to prefer democracy as it has several other positive outcomes.

Illustration 1
    When was democracy introduce in India?
Solution
    In 1950, when constitution was enforced in India.

Illustration 2
    What does political outcomes signifies?
Solution
    Accountable, responsive and legitimate government.

Illustration 3
    What is the basic element of democracy?
Solution
    Universal adult franchise.

Illustration 4
    What do you mean by social outcomes?
Solution
    Social outcomes means the benefits derived by the society due to democracy like dignity and freedom, gender equality and Ban on child labour, etc.

Reduction of inequality and poverty :
·    Perhaps more than  development, it is reasonable to expect democracies to reduce economic disparities.
·    Economic growth in demoracies are accompanied by increased inequalities among the 
      people - democracies lead to a just distribution of goods and opportunities.
·    Democracies are based on political  equality. All individuals have equal weight in electing representatives. Parallel to the process of bringing                    individuals into the political  arena on an equal footing, we find growing economic inequalities.
·    A small number of ultra-rich enjoy a highly disproportionate share of wealth and income. Not only that, their share in the total income of the country          has been increasing.
·    Those at the bottom of the society have very little to depend upon. Their incomes have been declining. Sometimes they find it difficult to meet their          basic needs of life such as food, clothing, house, education and health.

·    In actual life, democracies do not appear to be very successful in reducing economic inequalities. 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 expect them to.
·    The situation is much worse in some other countries. In Bangladesh, more thanhalf of its population live in poverty. People in several poor countries        are now dependent on the rich countries even for food supplies.

Accommodation of Social Diversity :
1. Democracies accommodates various social divisions. For example: Belgium has 
successfully negotiated difference among ethnic populations. Democracies usually develop a procedure to conduct their competition. This reduces the possibility of these tensions becoming explosing or violent.
2. No society can fully and permanently resolve conflicts among different groups. But we can certainly learn to respect these differences and we can also evolve mechanisms to negotiate the differences.
Democracy is best suited to produce this outcomes. Non-democratic regimes often turn a blind eye to or suppress internal social differences.
3.    Abillity to handle social difference, divisions and conflicts is thus a definite plus point of democratic regimes.
       But the example of Sri Lanka reminds us that a democracy must fulfil two conditions in order to achieve this outcome:
(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 government function to represent the general view. Majority and minority opinion are not permanent.
(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 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 every citizen has a chance of being in majority at some point of time. If someone is barred from being in majority on the basis of birth, then the demoratic rule ceases to be accommodative for that person or group.

Dignity and freedom of the citizens :
Democracy stands much superior to any other form of government in promoting dignity and freedom of the individual.
·    Every individual wants to receive respect from fellow beings.
·    Often conflicts arise among individials because some feel that they are not treated with due respect. The passion for respect and freedom are the basis of democracy. Democracies throughout the world have recognised this, at least in principle. Democracies which have been built for long on the basis is not a simple matter to recognize that all individuals are equal.

Dignity of women
·  Most societies across the world were historically male dominated societies. Long struggles by women have created some sensitivity today that respect to and equal treatment of women are necessary ingredients of a democratic society.
·    That does not mean that women are actually always treated with respect. But once the principle is recognised, it becomes easier for women to wage a struggle against what is not unaccetpable legally and morally.
    ·    In a non-democratic set up, this unacceptability would not have legal basis because the principle of individual freedom and dignity would not have the legal and moral force there.

 Caste inequalities
·    Democracy in India has strengthened the claims of the disadvantaged and  discriminated castes for equal status and equal opportunity.
     There are instances still of caste-based inequalities and atrocities, but these lack, the moral and legal foundations. Perhaps it is the recognition that          makes ordinary citizens value their democratic rights.

Economic growth and development :
Evidence shows that in practice many democracies did not fulfil this expectation.
·    If you consider all democracies and all dictatorships for the fifty years between 1950 and 2000, dictatorships have slightly higher rate of economic growth. The inability of democracy to achieve higher economic development worries us. But this alone cannot be reason to reject democracy.
·    In economics, economicdevelopment, depends on several factors
        –  country’s population size,
        –  global situation
        –  cooperation from other countries
        –  economic priorities adopted by the country.
However, the difference in the rates of economic development between less developed countries with dictatorships and democracies is negligible.
·    Overall, we cannot say that democracy is a guarantee of economic development. But we can expect democracy  not to lag behind dictatorships in this respect. When we find such significant different in the rates of economic growth between countries under dictatorship and democracy, it is better to prefer democracy as it has several other positive outcomes.

Illustration 1
    When was democracy introduce in India?
Solution
    In 1950, when constitution was enforced in India.

Illustration 2
    What does political outcomes signifies?
Solution
    Accountable, responsive and legitimate government.

Illustration 3
    What is the basic element of democracy?
Solution
    Universal adult franchise.

Illustration 4
    What do you mean by social outcomes?
Solution
    Social outcomes means the benefits derived by the society due to democracy like dignity and freedom, gender equality and Ban on child labour, etc.

Reduction of inequality and poverty :
·    Perhaps more than  development, it is reasonable to expect democracies to reduce economic disparities.
·    Economic growth in demoracies are accompanied by increased inequalities among the 
      people - democracies lead to a just distribution of goods and opportunities.
·    Democracies are based on political  equality. All individuals have equal weight in electing representatives. Parallel to the process of bringing                    individuals into the political  arena on an equal footing, we find growing economic inequalities.
·    A small number of ultra-rich enjoy a highly disproportionate share of wealth and income. Not only that, their share in the total income of the country          has been increasing.
·    Those at the bottom of the society have very little to depend upon. Their incomes have been declining. Sometimes they find it difficult to meet their          basic needs of life such as food, clothing, house, education and health.

·    In actual life, democracies do not appear to be very successful in reducing economic inequalities. 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 expect them to.
·    The situation is much worse in some other countries. In Bangladesh, more thanhalf of its population live in poverty. People in several poor countries        are now dependent on the rich countries even for food supplies.

Accommodation of Social Diversity :
1. Democracies accommodates various social divisions. For example: Belgium has 
successfully negotiated difference among ethnic populations. Democracies usually develop a procedure to conduct their competition. This reduces the possibility of these tensions becoming explosing or violent.
2. No society can fully and permanently resolve conflicts among different groups. But we can certainly learn to respect these differences and we can also evolve mechanisms to negotiate the differences.
Democracy is best suited to produce this outcomes. Non-democratic regimes often turn a blind eye to or suppress internal social differences.
3.    Abillity to handle social difference, divisions and conflicts is thus a definite plus point of democratic regimes.
       But the example of Sri Lanka reminds us that a democracy must fulfil two conditions in order to achieve this outcome:
(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 government function to represent the general view. Majority and minority opinion are not permanent.
(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 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 every citizen has a chance of being in majority at some point of time. If someone is barred from being in majority on the basis of birth, then the demoratic rule ceases to be accommodative for that person or group.

Dignity and freedom of the citizens :
Democracy stands much superior to any other form of government in promoting dignity and freedom of the individual.
·    Every individual wants to receive respect from fellow beings.
·    Often conflicts arise among individials because some feel that they are not treated with due respect. The passion for respect and freedom are the basis of democracy. Democracies throughout the world have recognised this, at least in principle. Democracies which have been built for long on the basis is not a simple matter to recognize that all individuals are equal.

Dignity of women
·  Most societies across the world were historically male dominated societies. Long struggles by women have created some sensitivity today that respect to and equal treatment of women are necessary ingredients of a democratic society.
·    That does not mean that women are actually always treated with respect. But once the principle is recognised, it becomes easier for women to wage a struggle against what is not unaccetpable legally and morally.
    ·    In a non-democratic set up, this unacceptability would not have legal basis because the principle of individual freedom and dignity would not have the legal and moral force there.

 Caste inequalities
·    Democracy in India has strengthened the claims of the disadvantaged and  discriminated castes for equal status and equal opportunity.
     There are instances still of caste-based inequalities and atrocities, but these lack, the moral and legal foundations. Perhaps it is the recognition that          makes ordinary citizens value their democratic rights.

Economic growth and development :
Evidence shows that in practice many democracies did not fulfil this expectation.
·    If you consider all democracies and all dictatorships for the fifty years between 1950 and 2000, dictatorships have slightly higher rate of economic growth. The inability of democracy to achieve higher economic development worries us. But this alone cannot be reason to reject democracy.
·    In economics, economicdevelopment, depends on several factors
        –  country’s population size,
        –  global situation
        –  cooperation from other countries
        –  economic priorities adopted by the country.
However, the difference in the rates of economic development between less developed countries with dictatorships and democracies is negligible.
·    Overall, we cannot say that democracy is a guarantee of economic development. But we can expect democracy  not to lag behind dictatorships in this respect. When we find such significant different in the rates of economic growth between countries under dictatorship and democracy, it is better to prefer democracy as it has several other positive outcomes.

Illustration 1
    When was democracy introduce in India?
Solution
    In 1950, when constitution was enforced in India.

Illustration 2
    What does political outcomes signifies?
Solution
    Accountable, responsive and legitimate government.

Illustration 3
    What is the basic element of democracy?
Solution
    Universal adult franchise.

Illustration 4
    What do you mean by social outcomes?
Solution
    Social outcomes means the benefits derived by the society due to democracy like dignity and freedom, gender equality and Ban on child labour, etc.

Reduction of inequality and poverty :
·    Perhaps more than  development, it is reasonable to expect democracies to reduce economic disparities.
·    Economic growth in demoracies are accompanied by increased inequalities among the 
      people - democracies lead to a just distribution of goods and opportunities.
·    Democracies are based on political  equality. All individuals have equal weight in electing representatives. Parallel to the process of bringing                    individuals into the political  arena on an equal footing, we find growing economic inequalities.
·    A small number of ultra-rich enjoy a highly disproportionate share of wealth and income. Not only that, their share in the total income of the country          has been increasing.
·    Those at the bottom of the society have very little to depend upon. Their incomes have been declining. Sometimes they find it difficult to meet their          basic needs of life such as food, clothing, house, education and health.

·    In actual life, democracies do not appear to be very successful in reducing economic inequalities. 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 expect them to.
·    The situation is much worse in some other countries. In Bangladesh, more thanhalf of its population live in poverty. People in several poor countries        are now dependent on the rich countries even for food supplies.

Accommodation of Social Diversity :
1. Democracies accommodates various social divisions. For example: Belgium has 
successfully negotiated difference among ethnic populations. Democracies usually develop a procedure to conduct their competition. This reduces the possibility of these tensions becoming explosing or violent.
2. No society can fully and permanently resolve conflicts among different groups. But we can certainly learn to respect these differences and we can also evolve mechanisms to negotiate the differences.
Democracy is best suited to produce this outcomes. Non-democratic regimes often turn a blind eye to or suppress internal social differences.
3.    Abillity to handle social difference, divisions and conflicts is thus a definite plus point of democratic regimes.
       But the example of Sri Lanka reminds us that a democracy must fulfil two conditions in order to achieve this outcome:
(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 government function to represent the general view. Majority and minority opinion are not permanent.
(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 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 every citizen has a chance of being in majority at some point of time. If someone is barred from being in majority on the basis of birth, then the demoratic rule ceases to be accommodative for that person or group.

Dignity and freedom of the citizens :
Democracy stands much superior to any other form of government in promoting dignity and freedom of the individual.
·    Every individual wants to receive respect from fellow beings.
·    Often conflicts arise among individials because some feel that they are not treated with due respect. The passion for respect and freedom are the basis of democracy. Democracies throughout the world have recognised this, at least in principle. Democracies which have been built for long on the basis is not a simple matter to recognize that all individuals are equal.

Dignity of women
·  Most societies across the world were historically male dominated societies. Long struggles by women have created some sensitivity today that respect to and equal treatment of women are necessary ingredients of a democratic society.
·    That does not mean that women are actually always treated with respect. But once the principle is recognised, it becomes easier for women to wage a struggle against what is not unaccetpable legally and morally.
    ·    In a non-democratic set up, this unacceptability would not have legal basis because the principle of individual freedom and dignity would not have the legal and moral force there.

 Caste inequalities
·    Democracy in India has strengthened the claims of the disadvantaged and  discriminated castes for equal status and equal opportunity.
     There are instances still of caste-based inequalities and atrocities, but these lack, the moral and legal foundations. Perhaps it is the recognition that          makes ordinary citizens value their democratic rights.

Economic growth and development :
Evidence shows that in practice many democracies did not fulfil this expectation.
·    If you consider all democracies and all dictatorships for the fifty years between 1950 and 2000, dictatorships have slightly higher rate of economic growth. The inability of democracy to achieve higher economic development worries us. But this alone cannot be reason to reject democracy.
·    In economics, economicdevelopment, depends on several factors
        –  country’s population size,
        –  global situation
        –  cooperation from other countries
        –  economic priorities adopted by the country.
However, the difference in the rates of economic development between less developed countries with dictatorships and democracies is negligible.
·    Overall, we cannot say that democracy is a guarantee of economic development. But we can expect democracy  not to lag behind dictatorships in this respect. When we find such significant different in the rates of economic growth between countries under dictatorship and democracy, it is better to prefer democracy as it has several other positive outcomes.

Illustration 1
    When was democracy introduce in India?
Solution
    In 1950, when constitution was enforced in India.

Illustration 2
    What does political outcomes signifies?
Solution
    Accountable, responsive and legitimate government.

Illustration 3
    What is the basic element of democracy?
Solution
    Universal adult franchise.

Illustration 4
    What do you mean by social outcomes?
Solution
    Social outcomes means the benefits derived by the society due to democracy like dignity and freedom, gender equality and Ban on child labour, etc.

Reduction of inequality and poverty :
·    Perhaps more than  development, it is reasonable to expect democracies to reduce economic disparities.
·    Economic growth in demoracies are accompanied by increased inequalities among the 
      people - democracies lead to a just distribution of goods and opportunities.
·    Democracies are based on political  equality. All individuals have equal weight in electing representatives. Parallel to the process of bringing                    individuals into the political  arena on an equal footing, we find growing economic inequalities.
·    A small number of ultra-rich enjoy a highly disproportionate share of wealth and income. Not only that, their share in the total income of the country          has been increasing.
·    Those at the bottom of the society have very little to depend upon. Their incomes have been declining. Sometimes they find it difficult to meet their          basic needs of life such as food, clothing, house, education and health.

·    In actual life, democracies do not appear to be very successful in reducing economic inequalities. 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 expect them to.
·    The situation is much worse in some other countries. In Bangladesh, more thanhalf of its population live in poverty. People in several poor countries        are now dependent on the rich countries even for food supplies.

Accommodation of Social Diversity :
1. Democracies accommodates various social divisions. For example: Belgium has 
successfully negotiated difference among ethnic populations. Democracies usually develop a procedure to conduct their competition. This reduces the possibility of these tensions becoming explosing or violent.
2. No society can fully and permanently resolve conflicts among different groups. But we can certainly learn to respect these differences and we can also evolve mechanisms to negotiate the differences.
Democracy is best suited to produce this outcomes. Non-democratic regimes often turn a blind eye to or suppress internal social differences.
3.    Abillity to handle social difference, divisions and conflicts is thus a definite plus point of democratic regimes.
       But the example of Sri Lanka reminds us that a democracy must fulfil two conditions in order to achieve this outcome:
(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 government function to represent the general view. Majority and minority opinion are not permanent.
(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 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 every citizen has a chance of being in majority at some point of time. If someone is barred from being in majority on the basis of birth, then the demoratic rule ceases to be accommodative for that person or group.

Dignity and freedom of the citizens :
Democracy stands much superior to any other form of government in promoting dignity and freedom of the individual.
·    Every individual wants to receive respect from fellow beings.
·    Often conflicts arise among individials because some feel that they are not treated with due respect. The passion for respect and freedom are the basis of democracy. Democracies throughout the world have recognised this, at least in principle. Democracies which have been built for long on the basis is not a simple matter to recognize that all individuals are equal.

Dignity of women
·  Most societies across the world were historically male dominated societies. Long struggles by women have created some sensitivity today that respect to and equal treatment of women are necessary ingredients of a democratic society.
·    That does not mean that women are actually always treated with respect. But once the principle is recognised, it becomes easier for women to wage a struggle against what is not unaccetpable legally and morally.
    ·    In a non-democratic set up, this unacceptability would not have legal basis because the principle of individual freedom and dignity would not have the legal and moral force there.

 Caste inequalities
·    Democracy in India has strengthened the claims of the disadvantaged and  discriminated castes for equal status and equal opportunity.
     There are instances still of caste-based inequalities and atrocities, but these lack, the moral and legal foundations. Perhaps it is the recognition that          makes ordinary citizens value their democratic rights.

Economic growth and development :
Evidence shows that in practice many democracies did not fulfil this expectation.
·    If you consider all democracies and all dictatorships for the fifty years between 1950 and 2000, dictatorships have slightly higher rate of economic growth. The inability of democracy to achieve higher economic development worries us. But this alone cannot be reason to reject democracy.
·    In economics, economicdevelopment, depends on several factors
        –  country’s population size,
        –  global situation
        –  cooperation from other countries
        –  economic priorities adopted by the country.
However, the difference in the rates of economic development between less developed countries with dictatorships and democracies is negligible.
·    Overall, we cannot say that democracy is a guarantee of economic development. But we can expect democracy  not to lag behind dictatorships in this respect. When we find such significant different in the rates of economic growth between countries under dictatorship and democracy, it is better to prefer democracy as it has several other positive outcomes.

Illustration 1
    When was democracy introduce in India?
Solution
    In 1950, when constitution was enforced in India.

Illustration 2
    What does political outcomes signifies?
Solution
    Accountable, responsive and legitimate government.

Illustration 3
    What is the basic element of democracy?
Solution
    Universal adult franchise.

Illustration 4
    What do you mean by social outcomes?
Solution
    Social outcomes means the benefits derived by the society due to democracy like dignity and freedom, gender equality and Ban on child labour, etc.

Reduction of inequality and poverty :
·    Perhaps more than  development, it is reasonable to expect democracies to reduce economic disparities.
·    Economic growth in demoracies are accompanied by increased inequalities among the 
      people - democracies lead to a just distribution of goods and opportunities.
·    Democracies are based on political  equality. All individuals have equal weight in electing representatives. Parallel to the process of bringing                    individuals into the political  arena on an equal footing, we find growing economic inequalities.
·    A small number of ultra-rich enjoy a highly disproportionate share of wealth and income. Not only that, their share in the total income of the country          has been increasing.
·    Those at the bottom of the society have very little to depend upon. Their incomes have been declining. Sometimes they find it difficult to meet their          basic needs of life such as food, clothing, house, education and health.

·    In actual life, democracies do not appear to be very successful in reducing economic inequalities. 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 expect them to.
·    The situation is much worse in some other countries. In Bangladesh, more thanhalf of its population live in poverty. People in several poor countries        are now dependent on the rich countries even for food supplies.

Accommodation of Social Diversity :
1. Democracies accommodates various social divisions. For example: Belgium has 
successfully negotiated difference among ethnic populations. Democracies usually develop a procedure to conduct their competition. This reduces the possibility of these tensions becoming explosing or violent.
2. No society can fully and permanently resolve conflicts among different groups. But we can certainly learn to respect these differences and we can also evolve mechanisms to negotiate the differences.
Democracy is best suited to produce this outcomes. Non-democratic regimes often turn a blind eye to or suppress internal social differences.
3.    Abillity to handle social difference, divisions and conflicts is thus a definite plus point of democratic regimes.
       But the example of Sri Lanka reminds us that a democracy must fulfil two conditions in order to achieve this outcome:
(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 government function to represent the general view. Majority and minority opinion are not permanent.
(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 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 every citizen has a chance of being in majority at some point of time. If someone is barred from being in majority on the basis of birth, then the demoratic rule ceases to be accommodative for that person or group.

Dignity and freedom of the citizens :
Democracy stands much superior to any other form of government in promoting dignity and freedom of the individual.
·    Every individual wants to receive respect from fellow beings.
·    Often conflicts arise among individials because some feel that they are not treated with due respect. The passion for respect and freedom are the basis of democracy. Democracies throughout the world have recognised this, at least in principle. Democracies which have been built for long on the basis is not a simple matter to recognize that all individuals are equal.

Dignity of women
·  Most societies across the world were historically male dominated societies. Long struggles by women have created some sensitivity today that respect to and equal treatment of women are necessary ingredients of a democratic society.
·    That does not mean that women are actually always treated with respect. But once the principle is recognised, it becomes easier for women to wage a struggle against what is not unaccetpable legally and morally.
    ·    In a non-democratic set up, this unacceptability would not have legal basis because the principle of individual freedom and dignity would not have the legal and moral force there.

 Caste inequalities
·    Democracy in India has strengthened the claims of the disadvantaged and  discriminated castes for equal status and equal opportunity.
     There are instances still of caste-based inequalities and atrocities, but these lack, the moral and legal foundations. Perhaps it is the recognition that          makes ordinary citizens value their democratic rights.

Economic growth and development :
Evidence shows that in practice many democracies did not fulfil this expectation.
·    If you consider all democracies and all dictatorships for the fifty years between 1950 and 2000, dictatorships have slightly higher rate of economic growth. The inability of democracy to achieve higher economic development worries us. But this alone cannot be reason to reject democracy.
·    In economics, economicdevelopment, depends on several factors
        –  country’s population size,
        –  global situation
        –  cooperation from other countries
        –  economic priorities adopted by the country.
However, the difference in the rates of economic development between less developed countries with dictatorships and democracies is negligible.
·    Overall, we cannot say that democracy is a guarantee of economic development. But we can expect democracy  not to lag behind dictatorships in this respect. When we find such significant different in the rates of economic growth between countries under dictatorship and democracy, it is better to prefer democracy as it has several other positive outcomes.

Illustration 1
    When was democracy introduce in India?
Solution
    In 1950, when constitution was enforced in India.

Illustration 2
    What does political outcomes signifies?
Solution
    Accountable, responsive and legitimate government.

Illustration 3
    What is the basic element of democracy?
Solution
    Universal adult franchise.

Illustration 4
    What do you mean by social outcomes?
Solution
    Social outcomes means the benefits derived by the society due to democracy like dignity and freedom, gender equality and Ban on child labour, etc.

Reduction of inequality and poverty :
·    Perhaps more than  development, it is reasonable to expect democracies to reduce economic disparities.
·    Economic growth in demoracies are accompanied by increased inequalities among the 
      people - democracies lead to a just distribution of goods and opportunities.
·    Democracies are based on political  equality. All individuals have equal weight in electing representatives. Parallel to the process of bringing                    individuals into the political  arena on an equal footing, we find growing economic inequalities.
·    A small number of ultra-rich enjoy a highly disproportionate share of wealth and income. Not only that, their share in the total income of the country          has been increasing.
·    Those at the bottom of the society have very little to depend upon. Their incomes have been declining. Sometimes they find it difficult to meet their          basic needs of life such as food, clothing, house, education and health.

·    In actual life, democracies do not appear to be very successful in reducing economic inequalities. 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 expect them to.
·    The situation is much worse in some other countries. In Bangladesh, more thanhalf of its population live in poverty. People in several poor countries        are now dependent on the rich countries even for food supplies.

Accommodation of Social Diversity :
1. Democracies accommodates various social divisions. For example: Belgium has 
successfully negotiated difference among ethnic populations. Democracies usually develop a procedure to conduct their competition. This reduces the possibility of these tensions becoming explosing or violent.
2. No society can fully and permanently resolve conflicts among different groups. But we can certainly learn to respect these differences and we can also evolve mechanisms to negotiate the differences.
Democracy is best suited to produce this outcomes. Non-democratic regimes often turn a blind eye to or suppress internal social differences.
3.    Abillity to handle social difference, divisions and conflicts is thus a definite plus point of democratic regimes.
       But the example of Sri Lanka reminds us that a democracy must fulfil two conditions in order to achieve this outcome:
(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 government function to represent the general view. Majority and minority opinion are not permanent.
(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 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 every citizen has a chance of being in majority at some point of time. If someone is barred from being in majority on the basis of birth, then the demoratic rule ceases to be accommodative for that person or group.

Dignity and freedom of the citizens :
Democracy stands much superior to any other form of government in promoting dignity and freedom of the individual.
·    Every individual wants to receive respect from fellow beings.
·    Often conflicts arise among individials because some feel that they are not treated with due respect. The passion for respect and freedom are the basis of democracy. Democracies throughout the world have recognised this, at least in principle. Democracies which have been built for long on the basis is not a simple matter to recognize that all individuals are equal.

Dignity of women
·  Most societies across the world were historically male dominated societies. Long struggles by women have created some sensitivity today that respect to and equal treatment of women are necessary ingredients of a democratic society.
·    That does not mean that women are actually always treated with respect. But once the principle is recognised, it becomes easier for women to wage a struggle against what is not unaccetpable legally and morally.
    ·    In a non-democratic set up, this unacceptability would not have legal basis because the principle of individual freedom and dignity would not have the legal and moral force there.

 Caste inequalities
·    Democracy in India has strengthened the claims of the disadvantaged and  discriminated castes for equal status and equal opportunity.
     There are instances still of caste-based inequalities and atrocities, but these lack, the moral and legal foundations. Perhaps it is the recognition that          makes ordinary citizens value their democratic rights.