Answer:
(a)
Democracy means every citizens takes part in the decision-making process either
directly or indirectly through the elected representatives. Under dictatorship
all powers are with a single person or party who takes all the important
decisions.
The economic development of a country does not depend on the democratic
set up of the government.
It depends on several other factors like, country's population
size, global situation, cooperation from other countries, economic priorities
adopted by the country, etc.
If we compare democracy and dictatorship regimes between
1950 to 2000, we find countries under dictatorship to be more economically
advanced.
But if we compare between less developed countries, the
difference is negligible. India being a third world nation, now becomes one of
the fast growing economies of the world.
On the other hand, Zimbabwe which was a fairly prosperous
nation, has run into huge international debt with the progression of Robert
Mugabe's rule.
Thus, it is not always proper to say that the poor need
dictatorship to become rich.
(b) There is no denying fact that we find growing inequalities
in democracies. There is a wide gap between the rich and the poor. A small proportion
of population enjoy a high share in income and a large proportion of population
has to live on a very small share in income.
However, the democratic governments play an important
role in removing economic disparities.
The Minimum Wages Act, enacted by the Indian Government
and other policies which regulate the basic price at which agricultural producers
and small industries sell their goods, have helped increase the per capita
income of the country. Thereby making its citizens more prosperous.
(c) Industry and infrastructure are very important for the
economic development of a nation. But these are not the only inputs needed for
the economic development of a country.
Human resource is the most important resources for any
country. The government in poor countries should maintain a balance between investment
on poverty, food, clothing, health, education and on industries and
infrastructure.
A country needs to spend on all the sectors maintaining a
balance, so that every sector helps the other sector to grow.
(d) A democracy gives every citizens and every social group
equal importance to avoid any domination and conflict in the society.
Since, every citizens has one vote, political parties can
not avoid any social group. The political parties have to formulate policies
which will benefit all the groups. But all these do not mean that conflicts are
totally absent in a democracy.
They can happen if the demands of one social group are against the
demands of the other social group. Democracy only avoids the possibility of
such conflicts by giving everyone equal rights and freedom in the society.
(a)
Democracy is considered much superior to any other form of government in
promoting development, security and dignity of the individual. The passion for
freedom and respect are the basis of democracy. This has been achieved in
various degrees in different democracies.
(i) It enhances dignity of the
individual as it gives equal rights and freedom to all citizens. In democracy
long struggle by women have also created some sensitivity today.
(ii) In India, democracy has strengthened the claims of OBCs for equal
status and equal opportunity. All enjoy the right to get elected and become a
part of the decision-making machinery or even government.
(iii) Democracy provides an effective method to resolve
disputesymd to correct mistakes.
(b) From the democracy we can get legal and moral values,
like equality and justice.
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