what are the outcomes of democracy?
Answers
Outcomes of Democracy:
In the phrase of Abraham Lincoln, democracy is a government “of the people, by the people, and for the people.” So, in a democratic country, the government is elected by the people in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system.
Accountable, Responsive and Legitimate Government
In a democratic nation, the government is accountable to the citizens. It is responsive to the needs and expectations of the citizens. Moreover, the government is efficient and effective. The democratic governments work on the principle of deliberation and negotiation, so delays take place.
Do delays make government inefficient?
A non-democratic government does not bother about the discussions in assemblies. They never take public opinion and are quick in decision making and implementation. On the other hand, the democratic governments, follow all the procedures and then come to a decision. As a result, the decision is more effective and acceptable to people.
The decisions that are quick are usually taken without the approval of the majority of people. As a result, there are problems and conflicts within the nation.
Explanation:
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
Economic development depends on several factors: Country's population size, global situation, cooperation from other countries, economic priorities adopted by the country, etc. 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.
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 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.
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 outcome. Non-democratic regimes often turn a blind eye to or suppress internal social differences. Ability to handle social differences, divisions and conflicts is thus a definite plus point of democratic regimes. Democracy remains democracy only as long 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 democratic rule ceases to be accommodative for that person or group.
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 individuals because some feel that they are not treated with due respect. The passion for respect and freedom are the basis of democracy.