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NCERT Class 10 Social Science Outcomes of Democracy: Exercise Solutions

Point-by-point answers for every question of End-of-chapter exercises in NCERT's Class 10 Social Science book, chapter “Outcomes of Democracy”, written by Shishya. Each question is in our own short words; open the NCERT chapter for the exact wording and figures.

1. Exercises Q1

   How does democracy produce an accountable, responsive and legitimate government?

   1. Democracy ensures that citizens have the right to choose their rulers and maintain control over them.
   2. It provides transparency by allowing citizens to examine the process of decision-making and verify if correct procedures were followed.
   3. The government is expected to be accountable to citizens and responsive to their needs and expectations.
   4. Democratic mechanisms allow citizens to hold the government accountable and participate in decision-making processes.
   5. Although democracy takes more time due to deliberation and negotiation, its decisions are often more acceptable and effective for the people.

   Answer: Democracy produces an accountable, responsive, and legitimate government by ensuring citizen control, transparency in decision-making, and mechanisms for public participation and accountability.

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2. Exercises Q2

   Under what conditions do democracies accommodate social diversities?

   1. Democracies must ensure that the majority does not rule by suppressing the minority or specific communities.
   2. Every citizen must have the chance to be part of the majority at some point in time.
   3. The majority needs to work with the minority to represent the general view of the people.
   4. Democracies develop procedures to conduct competition, which reduces the possibility of tensions becoming violent.

   Answer: Democracies accommodate social diversities when the majority works with the minority and every citizen has a chance to be in the majority.

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3. Exercises Q3

   Give arguments for or against each assertion: (i) industrialised countries can afford democracy but the poor need dictatorship to become rich (ii) democracy cannot reduce inequality of incomes between citizens (iii) governments of poor countries should spend less on poverty reduction, health and education and more on industries and infrastructure (iv) in a democracy all citizens have one vote, so there is no domination and conflict.

   1. The claim that poor nations need dictatorship is false because data shows no significant difference in economic growth between poor democracies and dictatorships.
   2. Democracy can reduce income inequality by ensuring governments remain accountable and responsive to the needs of all citizens.
   3. Poor countries must prioritize spending on health and education to improve human capital, rather than focusing solely on industrial infrastructure.
   4. One person one vote does not eliminate domination or conflict, as social differences and diverse demands still require resolution within the democratic framework.

   Answer: All four assertions are incorrect; democracy offers equal growth potential for poor nations, addresses inequality through accountability, requires balanced social spending, and manages rather than eliminates conflict.

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4. Exercises Q4

   Identify the challenge to democracy in each case and suggest a policy or institutional way to deepen democracy: (i) after a High Court order, a temple in Orissa with separate doors for dalits and non-dalits let everyone enter by the same door (ii) many farmers are committing suicide in different states (iii) after an allegation that Jammu and Kashmir police killed three civilians in a fake encounter in Gandwara, an enquiry was ordered.

   1. The temple case shows social exclusion based on caste, which is challenged by the court order; to deepen democracy, the state must enforce laws against discrimination and ensure equal access to public spaces for all citizens.
   2. Farmer suicides indicate a failure of economic well-being and support systems; the government should implement better agricultural policies, provide timely credit, and create safety nets to prevent such tragedies.
   3. The fake encounter allegation highlights the need for accountability in law enforcement; an independent enquiry is essential to investigate the incident, hold responsible officers accountable, and restore public trust in democratic institutions.

   Answer: Challenges include caste discrimination, economic distress leading to suicide, and lack of police accountability; solutions involve enforcing anti-discrimination laws, improving agricultural support, and conducting independent investigations.

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5. Exercises Q5

   Democracies have successfully eliminated: A conflicts among people B economic inequalities among people C differences of opinion about how marginalised sections should be treated D the idea of political inequality. Which is correct?

   1. Democracies are fundamentally based on the principle of political equality, ensuring every individual has an equal weight in electing representatives.
   2. While economic inequalities and conflicts among people persist in democratic societies, the core concept of political inequality has been removed.
   3. Therefore, the correct option is the one that states the idea of political inequality has been successfully eliminated.

   Answer: D. the idea of political inequality

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6. Exercises Q6

   Which is the odd one out? Democracies need to ensure: A free and fair elections B dignity of the individual C majority rule D equal treatment before law

   1. Democracies must guarantee free and fair elections to allow citizens to choose their leaders.
   2. They must ensure the dignity of every individual and provide equal treatment before the law.
   3. Majority rule is not a standalone requirement because the majority must always work with the minority to represent the general view.

   Answer: C. majority rule

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7. Exercises Q7

   Studies on political and social inequalities in democracy show that: A democracy and development go together B inequalities exist in democracies C inequalities do not exist under dictatorship D dictatorship is better than democracy

   1. Research indicates that democratic systems do not eliminate social or political disparities.
   2. Inequalities remain present within democratic societies despite the presence of equal voting rights.

   Answer: B. inequalities exist in democracies

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8. Exercises Q8

   A passage: Nannu, a daily wage earner in East Delhi, lost his ration card and for three months got no response from the Food and Civil Supplies office; he filed an application under the Right to Information Act, and within a week an inspector told him the card was ready, and the officer treated him warmly and asked him to withdraw the application. What does his example show, and what effect did his action have on the officials?

   1. Nannu's example shows that citizens can use legal tools like the Right to Information Act to hold government officials accountable.
   2. The officials initially ignored him for three months, treating him with disrespect and indifference.
   3. After he filed the RTI application, the officials became responsive and acted quickly to resolve his issue.
   4. The Food and Supply Officer treated him warmly and offered tea, showing a change in attitude.
   5. The officials requested him to withdraw the application because they feared consequences for their inaction.

   Answer: Nannu's action demonstrated the power of democratic rights to enforce accountability, transforming indifferent officials into responsive and respectful service providers.

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