In 2004 a report published in the USA pointed to the increasing
inequalities in that country. Inequalities in income reflected in the
participation of people in a democracy. It also shaped their abilities to
influence the decisions taken by the government. The report
highlighted that:
If an average Black family earns $ 100 then the income of average
The white family is $ 162. A White family has twelve times more wealth
than the average Black family.
In a President’s election, ‘nearly 9 out of 10 individuals in families
with income over $ 75,000 have voted. These people are the top
20% of the population in terms of their income. On the other hand
only 5 people out of 10 from families with income less than $
15,000 have voted. They are the bottom 20% of the population in
terms of their income.
About 95% contribution to the political parties comes from the
rich. This gives them opportunity to express their opinions and
concerns, which is not available to most citizens.
As poor sections participate less in politics, the government does
not listen to their concerns – coming out of poverty, getting jobs,
education, health care, and housing for them. Politicians hear most
regularly about the concerns of business persons and the rich.
Write an essay on ‘Democracy and Poverty’ using the information
given in this report but using examples from India.
Answers
Answer:
There is no gainsaying that poverty has a direct and deep impact on democracy. A Black family earns much lesser than a White family so inequality in their income was clearly visible in their voting pattern. In the President’s election, nearly 9 out of 10 individuals with income over $75000 and above had voted but nearly 5 people out of 10 from families less than $15000 had voted. Not only this, but also the difference in their income also shaped their abilities to influence the decisions taken by the government. Because 95% contribution to the political parties came from rich so, they were in a better position to influence the political parties and through them the government as compared to most of the citizens with lower incomes. As poor participate less in politics, the government does not pay much attention towards them and to their main concerns like education, healthcare, employment, housing problems and poverty etc. The government formed by the different politicians, are more concerned to the business or rich class of the society.
Like USA, in India too, the different political parties pay more attention to the concerns of the rich who contribute most to their funds
Explanation: