Describe the Outcomes of Democracy?
Democracy is often considered as the best form of government, but its success isn't just a given. It needs to be assessed based on its outcomes, both expected and actual. These outcomes can be categorized into several key areas:
1. Political Outcomes
Accountable, Responsive, and Legitimate Government: The most fundamental outcome of democracy is that it produces a government that is accountable to its citizens. Through regular, free, and fair elections, people have the right to choose their rulers and hold them responsible for their actions. A democratic government is also expected to be responsive to the needs and demands of its citizens. Furthermore, it is a legitimate government because it is the people's own government, elected by them, which gives it a popular mandate.
Transparency: Democracy ensures that decision-making is based on norms and procedures. This allows citizens to examine the process of decision-making, a concept known as transparency. While this is an ideal, the actual performance of democracies in sharing information with citizens has been mixed.
Accommodation of Social Diversity: Democracy is effective in handling social differences, divisions, and conflicts. It provides a framework for different social groups to live together peacefully. It teaches people to respect one another and to manage disagreements through negotiation and deliberation. It's crucial, however, that democracy doesn't become the "rule by majority community" but rather ensures that the majority and minority always work together.
2. Economic Outcomes
Economic Growth and Development: While democracy and dictatorship have a similar record of economic growth, a country's economic development is dependent on many factors, such as population size, global situation, and economic priorities. However, democracy is not a guarantee of economic prosperity.
Reduction of Inequality and Poverty: Democracies often struggle to reduce economic inequalities. A small number of the ultra-rich often enjoy a highly disproportionate share of wealth and income, while a significant portion of the population at the bottom struggles to make ends meet. While democracies provide the conditions for people to demand policies that reduce poverty, their actual success in doing so is often limited.
3. Social Outcomes
Dignity and Freedom of the Citizen: Democracy is superior to any other form of government in promoting the dignity and freedom of the individual. The passion for respect and freedom is the basis of democracy. It provides a legal and political framework to protect the rights of all citizens, including women, and people from marginalized communities.
Resolution of Conflicts: Democracy provides a mechanism to resolve conflicts peacefully, through deliberation, negotiation, and elections, rather than through force. It allows for room to correct mistakes by giving citizens the ability to change their rulers through elections.
